Donations to Schools

I was reading my California Educator newsletter (CTA) and saw a question regarding donations to schools.  Is it fair to expect parents to donate money to schools? (pg22)  They had a proponent as well as a an opponent for donating money to schools.  Please read the article here:  California Educator on-line.

How would this make me incredulous?

One reason I'm incredulous is that schools NEED to ask for donations to provide great experiences for students.  The opponent is correct.  We do pay taxes and are expected to teach rigorous standards.  These standards (now with the Common Core) require computer hardware and software updates, new trainings, program development, brave teachers, and full buy in from students and parents.  These things require money and time.   There goes our budget; even the new improved budget for under privileged districts from prop 30.   This might be one reason we are lacking in funding to make a well balanced student with field trips, performing arts, and hands-on experiences. 

 Another reason I'm incredulous is the question is a loaded one.  EXPECT parents to donate money?  No, I don't think that happens in my experience.  (See the proponent's argument.)  We HOPE that the parents can help our school to do the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) activities, field trips, computer programs, technologies, and experiences with a donation.  Why do we hope, but not expect?  As teachers we know the meaning of a dollar.  (Answer - can't buy milk, bread, or even get to work without several of them to rub together)  We don't expect parents to donate money if it means that they can't take care of their family.  We hope that they can find the resources to help, because the students need those experiences.  In the end if the students cannot donate and the funding is not there, the teacher will try to make a way for it happen in another way.  It may even come out of our pocket and abilities to feed our family.  Why?  Teachers care.  I really don't know a teacher that doesn't care about educating students the best way they know how.  Having parents help making a positive education is what we expect, not a donation.

 Parents help make their local school what they want it to be.  Parents have spots on School Site Council to decide how the school's funding is spent.  Parents have the ability to be members of the PTA/PTO to decide how donated and fund raising is spent.  Donations do send a message... we want this to happen, or we don't want this to happen at our school.  Parents need to take ownership of their local school, because when they do their students achieve higher and have better opportunities.   If parents are not involved, then the students don't do as well, there are more discipline problems, programs are not funded, and students do not receive the extra experiences that they need.  If a parent is not involved they really can’t complain about their student missing out on opportunities, because often those opportunities can be had if the parents and teachers work together to make them happen.  If they cannot donate they can ask for donations from others, or businesses.  When schools ask for a donation to help with something, they don't expect a donation, but they expect support from the parents that should be a stakeholder in what the school provides.  It is about priorities.