If Carson brings home one more paper the word with FUNDRAISER any where on it I'm going to lose my mind! I did well with the first wrapping paper fundraiser. You know the one. The school turns your child into a peddler selling ridiculously expensive wrapping paper and nasty chocolates for the holidays. I just tossed it into the trash ignoring the, "But momma, if I just sell 200 things I can go to Disneyland, or get a robot!" I wasn't even nice enough to purchase one roll of paper so my poor kid could get the oriental trading company, piece of garbage, dog tag that everyone got if they suckered their parents into buying one thing. Next is the yo yo fiasco. They take students out of class for a yo yo assembly. They see this guy do amazing things with a yo yo. Then he tells them they can learn to do tricks like that too. Just take home this order form to mom and dad. What do you think all the kids are talking about at recess? That's right yo yo's. Carson just had to get one, I mean everyone had one, but him! (I said no to the $20 yo yo the school was selling and found one in the dollar spot at target.) Then they bring home another fundraiser a week later informing parents that they are going to have a special Christmas store fundraiser. Oh, but this one is really a service to the parents. This way students can purchase inexpensive dollar store garbage for the entire family, at ten times the dollar store price. How nice! Let me get my check book. Yeah right, are you kidding me? Then the next week they send home another fundraiser that's suppose to help the school get needed school supplies. What happened to the back pack full of supplies I sent in at the beginning of the year? (Yeah, they were hitting me up for money and supplies before Carson's first day!) Then the next week they send home a flier asking for canned foods for needy families and pennies for a penny drive. OK, this one I can deal with. But I pose this question, how many families do you think over extend themselves buying this stuff because they feel obligated or because it is too tempting to say no? Maybe that is why we have so many problems in our country with people over extending themselves and needing canned food. OK maybe I'm exaggerating just a little in my thought process...but I might be on to some thing. Do I sound like Glenn Beck?
On to my problem of the day. Carson came bounding off the bus today all excited about yet another fundraiser. He didn't know it was a fundraiser. He brought home a package with punch out Christmas ornaments and gift tags that have his school picture on them. If the parent wants them they are suppose to send back a check for $10. The teachers didn't explain to the children not to open them or punch them all out. They didn't mention that their parents were suppose to buy them first. They just sent them home with excited little kids who are thinking about who they will give these great treasures to for Christmas, and how fun they are to punch out. It's like giving a child a big cookie and then asking for it back. I called the school after I explained to Carson that we had to pay for the tags and that I didn't want to buy them. He was disappointed, of course. Well, the school didn't seem to care in the least about my concerns. They seemed annoyed that I had a problem with the fundraiser. The principal was like, "Don't you know that we are facing a $120 million in potential reductions this year." I can't believe this. Each student in NV is alloted ten thousand dollars in education. What are they doing with the money? I guess they must be spending a ton paying these fundraiser companies to get our kids selling stuff. Where is the logic? I would rather give them $50 at the beginning of the year then have all this junk brought home. I'm sorry but there is no way Carson is receiving a ten thousand dollar education. I'm so sick of this and he is only in Kindergarten! OK I'm done ranting and raving. I feel much better.
I hear ya sister. Don't cave in! Just keep stickin' it to the man. It's absolutely criminal how they use these kids. The problem is that most people are actually suckers for it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the spirited post.
ReplyDeleteSo when are you starting your "Home School?" I am ready to start pushing my Congressman to pass a federal voucher system, especially with Prop 8 being challenged. I want my money. They have a program like that in Washington D.C. Can you imagine what you could do with $10,000 a year to educate your kid?? Where did you find that figure?
So far Asia has only had a Jog-a-thon and a Canned Food drive. I did have to talk Asia out of not taking 10 cans to school everyday of the drive. I don't have a problem with food drive, but I did try to explain to Asia that we already contribute money each month to the poor. She just wanted an ice-cream party.
I agree, it's insane. I've managed to elude all of Eli's fundraisers so far, but he's gotten really into Box Tops and gets upset when I buy anything that doesn't have one.
ReplyDeleteOh let your voice be heard! Keep hounding that principal if you have to. I hear you and I don't have kids in the system yet, I just taught in it and I know that there is plenty of $$. They just need to prioritize: GPS for school busses, no. Pencils and paper for students, yes!
ReplyDeleteI feel for you. I hate them all and I am a teacher.
ReplyDeletehaha..without the fundraisers what would we have to vent about on our runs? I completely agree. I have enough trash at home without having to pay for it. I'd rather just donate money directly to the school.
ReplyDelete