Comments on: A giant PTA for Oakland schools

By: Bill Gaskin

Bill Gaskin — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:20:46 +0000

I like the website. Hopefully, will help get the message about PTA fundraising to the mass.

By: SKS

SKS — Sat, 22 May 2010 21:16:29 +0000

Since the Parent Engagement meeting happened this morning I would like to chime in about the side conversation about GATE. The GATE program is supposed to provide educational opportunities for achieving and underacheiving public school students and we have these gifted, talented and high potential learners in every school in Oakland and in every population, including special education. A core intent of the GATE Program is to provide integrated, differentiated learning experiences within the regular school day and based on their particular area(s) of strength. The only way to acheive this goal equitably across Oakland is to ensure that our educators and administrators are trained, supported and then held accountable for meeting these students needs — both academic needs and social/emotional needs. Over the past four or five years OUSD has made an increased effort to more closely align its GATE program with state guidelines. It is true that there is uneven implementation of the GATE plan and program between schools and even within schools and more work needs to be done. That’s why it is important to acknowledge that OUSD is continuing its commitment to GATE next year. Next year the school sites may not be getting site specific funds but as recently as last week plans for the program for next year included: ongoing efforts to identify these students (particularly in typically under-represented populations); ongoing professional development and support for educators and administrators; ongoing parent education and support. The GATE plan and resources are on the OUSD website, for those who want to learn more.

By: Celia

Celia — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:37:43 +0000

As one of the organizers of this event, I’d like to give some perspective. We came together at Jody London’s district One gatherings, as parents from different schools, some not in district 1. We feel it would be helpful to have a way for parents across Oakland to come together. There are great organizations that work in certain Oakland schools, be they for example PTAs or PTO’s or Oakland Community Organizations (OCO) or Oakland Parents Together, etc. For example neither the PTAs nor the PTOs have a real structure for the Oakland chapters to meet together.

We are facing unprecedented budget cuts and at each one of our schools we are facing daunting challenges. We are seeing a declining enrollment in the district, major budget cuts ahead and Dr. Smith says we have to close 20 schools in the next two years. What a critical time to share ideas, and identify initiatives where together we can help shape the future of our district.

We could meet just a couple times a year for example or it could take on more of a life. Look at Parents for Public Schools for one direction it could go… some chapters are all volunteer and others like San Francisco have more infrastructure. Come Saturday and help shape where this should go!

By: CarolineSF

CarolineSF — Thu, 20 May 2010 21:28:13 +0000

So how would it be different from the structure of the existing PTA? Sounds like an effort to create a parallel organization with no real difference.

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:20:53 +0000

The group is still very new — its first “action meeting” is Saturday — so I’m sure the details of how it would work are evolving.

By: AC Mom

AC Mom — Thu, 20 May 2010 17:14:57 +0000

Katy-

The wiki actually doesn’t provide that much information…It just says (I am paraphrasing) that the purpose would be to share ideas, experiences, etc. that would be used to increase community engagement across OUSD. There is no reference to fundraising or the establishment of a group that would receive funds that would be distributed across school sites. That may be the intent/subtext (I have no idea), but it is not explcitly stated on the wiki.

In response to the comments about GATE…I think that there should be a citywide dialogue about what OUSD can provide for GATE students at the K-8 levels…waiting for AP or IB courses in H.S. is simply not enough.

By: Katy Murphy

Katy Murphy — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:52:52 +0000

I don’t think the group would replace or supplant individual school PTAs — or function like a traditional PTA. Did you get that sense from its website (wiki)?

By: seenitbefore

seenitbefore — Thu, 20 May 2010 15:43:36 +0000

DUH….one giant organization controlling all of the money that Oakland parents fundraise and then diverting it to wherever they decide…… is a bad idea.

Have we not learnt anything from the big government economy????

By: Starshaped

Starshaped — Tue, 18 May 2010 21:12:37 +0000

As an elementary teacher, I can tell you that GATE is suppose to happen in classroom. There is no special class that they get to go to, like it was when I was in school. Some teachers do an exceptional job in differentiating curriculum for those GATE students. I know that a 5th grade teacher at my school makes a contract with GATE students and each week, the student has to fulfill that contract to have it re-newed for the following week. This allows students the oppurtunity to take their knowledge further. Of course, this takes a lot of organization on the teacher’s part and a lot of focus on the student’s part. Just so you know, the state pays each school site less the $50 per student for GATE (I don’t know the exact number but I know its a pitance) which doesn’t allow for many dynamic programs.

Title I is supposed to fill the gap for those students that don’t have music, art, museums, ect. at home. That said, not every student that is Title I is without at home just like not every ‘hill’ student gets to go to the zoo and Chabot every weekend. I am thankful for all the help that PTA provides at my school. I’ve worked at Title I schools that didn’t have the art, music, or library that we do at my school. I feel blessed that the parents at my school care enough to give that to my students.

By: Peter

Peter — Tue, 18 May 2010 03:00:47 +0000

I agree with much of your concerns about GATE. The latest is that the districts are now (starting next year) allowed to divert the meagre GATE funds they receive from the state to address budget problems.

As a result, OUSD intends to cease sending funds directly to the school sites.

If you hang in there until high-school, then that’s when the AP classes become available to your kids. Its the first time that GATE students are clustered for a wide range of subjects.

Peter