At the first PTA meeting of my son’s high school this fall, I showed up, like so many new parents, eager to participate and learn more about what to expect for the next four years. I was somewhat taken aback at the conversation: it barely moved past budget cuts and the need for all parents to make donations.

Subsequent meetings were similarly depressing and soon I stopped going, although I dutifully sent in the suggested contributions and whenever possible volunteered at school events. I couldn’t help feeling alienated by a constant dwelling on what the school could no longer provide.

Then, more recently, I learned I could not register my son for a second year of a foreign language for his sophomore year. Due to budget cuts, students who do not get 90 or above in their language are no longer eligible to take languages, although they can get on a waiting list, I was told. This is a serious setback, as many collegesrequire a foreign language sequence of three years.

There will be lots of other ways course selections will be limited as well – and already have been. And all this was before even more drastic financial problems emerged for both the city and the state that could lead to thousands of teachers being laid off.

High schools in the meantime are bracing for all kinds of reductions. Insideschools.org would like to hear more about what city high schools are being told to expect. Course selections, class size,  sports, arts and after school programs are all in danger as schools brace for drastic times ahead.

We want to hear more about what all of this bad news means for your high school and how parents, kids and staff are coping. Any creative solutions for these extraordinarily tough times?