I support my school’s PTA. Why should I also support the Greenwich Alliance?
We hope all families support their PTAs, like we do! We are not competing with PTAs. The Alliance offers programs that are different from most PTA programs, including multi-school programs such as Tuning In to Music, preschool experiences such as Going Places With Books, and programs that may be larger than the average PTA offering, such as AVID at GHS, a multi-year program to prepare qualified students for college.
I pay taxes; this funds our schools. Why should I also support the Greenwich Alliance?
Educators and community leaders recognize that children learn outside as well as inside the classroom: before and after school, and even before they are old enough to enter school. These times are outside of public schools’ domain. In addition to in-school programs, the Greenwich Alliance funds early literacy programs for preschoolers and their families and several after-school and weekend programs, all of which foster educational success during school. Furthermore, current economic realities have increased pressure to keep local taxes that fund our schools low, while the costs of education continue to rise.
Aren’t Greenwich students already privileged? Why do we need a local education foundation?
Many Greenwich families are blessed, financially and otherwise, and are able to offer wonderful opportunities for their children. However, contrary to the stereotyped image of Greenwich, not every family is well-off. A surprising number of families lack the means to provide their children with the optimal environment for academic success. For example, Greenwich has 750 units of subsidized housing. There are over 900 Greenwich Public School students, or 10.4% of total enrollment, who receive free or reduced-price meals. There are two classes of Head Start preschool in Greenwich (participating families must be at or near federal poverty level) as well as several other preschool classes for low-income families. The Alliance believes that Greenwich has the will and the means to help every child achieve educational success and a promising future.
