School fundraisers??

[teach1rusl]

Quote:

LOVE IT!!!...and I've done both the military and the teaching gig (although not at the same time...heehee). And I must say, I was NOT in a war situation...Desert Shield era here, but teaching (at least after No Child Left Behind came along) was much more difficult and stressful than my six years of military service.

Boyd: If I had a strong suspicion that there was abuse going on...yes...I'd call CPS myself. If I was just trying to feel something out that felt a little off, I would ask my school couselor to talk with the student to hear her impressions. I've never called CPS, but have worked with others who have had to make a call.

 

[Whispering Winds]

I worked in a school in the cafeteria for 16+ years and knew when I quit 5 years ago the PTO fund had OVER $12,000 because the then prin. didn't want to spend it. We were FURIOUS when we found out, as each year they very cheerfully gave each teacher a whopping $125 to spend on supplies for their classroom. When we found out HOW much he had been holding onto (and why HE got to determine what happened to it was NEVER discussed) we wanted them to give the teachers more, or buy something nice for each classroom. Naturally, we were ignored, and more or less told it was none of our business.

One fourth grade teacher worked like a dog on a grant and got her entire classroom laptops to use. So, when the kids go into that fourth grade class, they get to learn on a laptop. $12,000 would go a long way toward another classroom getting them too . . .

No one hardly comes to the meetings here anymore, because the teachers were the ones who WERE the board and THEY decided who should get what. I don't mind helping out a bit, but some of this stuff they are selling is junk and should be stopped. Why not sell a good quality tee shirt or something like that, instead of Xmas wrapping paper that is $$$$$$$$ as heck, and is thrown away after Xmas morning . . .I am anxious to see what this new PTO board is going to do, and probably should go to the meeting, but would probably offend someone with my ideas on raising money. . .
If I am going to spend money, I want to get something quality in return. JMHO.

 

[Boyd]

Quote:

LOVE IT!!!...and I've done both the military and the teaching gig (although not at the same time...heehee). And I must say, I was NOT in a war situation...Desert Shield era here, but teaching (at least after No Child Left Behind came along) was much more difficult and stressful than my six years of military service.

Boyd: If I had a strong suspicion that there was abuse going on...yes...I'd call CPS myself. If I was just trying to feel something out that felt a little off, I would ask my school couselor to talk with the student to hear her impressions. I've never called CPS, but have worked with others who have had to make a call.

Then you are 100% blameless and followed the game plan perfectly

I know that there are parents that are horrible and uncaring. This is why the system is setup the way it is. I have little respect nor time for teachers who see something going on and should have spoken up but never did. I see that. I usually see the extreme ending of that, or the extreme ending of parents not doing their job.

I work within the system I can. I know it is not perfect. Many a times I go to meetings with DHS, the Foster Agency or the courts to advocate for the kids in my care. Most of them like me, but not usually all the time because what the kids need comes before what is convenient for them and I know how to make things happen.

My biggest peev though is I do know how the money is spent. In Michigan we do not have a large illegal population except for 4 weeks in October, and they don't come with their kids. In Michigan the 5 to 10 fundraisers a year are a pain. Buying Kleenex because the school had to replace ALL of their computers that were new last year is a waste IMHO.

 

[chickeypoo]

i just get the traditional one they have in the beginning of the year. we have never had two but if they were to start id only buy that one. it is cheaper to go to wal mart and get the first set of pics for like (the most i have seen is 10) but i would be more than happy to get 30+ pics for that much lol. the big pkg at our school(40 dollars) you also get the image on CD with a 10x13, 2 8x10, 4 5x7, 8 3x5 and 16 wallets. who on earth needs all those? lol. i certainly dont have room on my wall for the 10x13 lol. i get the value pack for 18 dollars. you get 2 5x7, 4 3x5s and 8 wallets. i just don't need all those pics. id rather get the school pics and then go to wal mart and get our family x-mas pics.

they have too many options for poses and such too.. esp for a 1st grader and a 6th grader. it's almost like senior pics. ugh.
Sue

 

[warmfuzzies]

Quote:

LOVE IT!!!...and I've done both the military and the teaching gig (although not at the same time...heehee). And I must say, I was NOT in a war situation...Desert Shield era here, but teaching (at least after No Child Left Behind came along) was much more difficult and stressful than my six years of military service.

 

[mom'sfolly]

I'm on my local PTA. We are doing two fundraisers this year, a direct appeal (give us money) and our annual carnival. I hate the regular fundraisers, I would far rather write a check where all the money is going to the school. The PTA is also working with the principal and teachers to limit other giving/fundraising at the school. There are constant March of Dimes/Juvenal Diabetes/Jump Rope for Heart etc kinds of appeals as well as book fair, box tops, soup labels, printer cartridge recycling and others.

As a PTA our biggest problem is communication, most parents and some teachers don't know what PTA does for the school. The PTA runs math club, offers science kits, pays for some teacher training, supports the annual talent show and science fair, supports field day, buys additional equipment for the school and many other things. I'm glad that we have people willing to volunteer their time and money so my kids can have these kinds of programs.

I often feel that public education is an easy target. Lots of people like to think that the system is broken. I think there are flaws, but public education does many things that private schools and homeschooling cannot. My school district has magnet schools for the deaf, providing two tracks; total communication and an oral track. They district has early childhood intervention/pre-k for special needs children including children with speach delays, physical and mental development issues, and ESL. They have programs for high school students interested in engineering, they have structured teach programs for children with autism, they have talented and gifted programs and many others. And they take every child in the district, EVERY CHILD.

 

[debilorrah]

I got my pumpkin roll and chocolate molten cookies yesterday.

Fundraisers are great IMHO!

 

[New adventure]

Quote:
I've had that poster ever since the '60s!

My favorite fundraiser is the Santa Store that happens in December. The kids pick out nice, inexpensive presents for their families and pay for it themselves. IMO, it's a win-win!

I also am a big fan of the Scholastic Book thing that's been going on at least since I was a kid. I assume the schools make some money off that one.

I also am one that just writes a check to the PTO or classroom instead of buying junk.

My granddaughter started bringing home fundraiser stuff when she was 3! From both the public preschool and from her daycare! That was preposterous!!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

Quote:
I just LOVE Scholastic Book!! When I was at the elementary level I got most of my books for class readings that way. $10 books for $2!! I collected them for my neices and nephews for Christmas too.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

What I hate is that every kid in the neighborhood comes knocking on my door. If they are going to do this "fundraising" stuff. Why don't they do it by different grade levels through the year. I am sure they would earn more money if they weren't bombarding everyone at the same time. There are about 40 elementary school kids in my subdivision. I can't afford to by something off each one in a 1 week period!! I would be willing to do a little here, a little there.

Only fund raising I remember growing up was Girl Scout cookies and House Plants for the fledgling softball league. My mom sold several thousand dollars worth of cookies. She worked in the glass factories in Southern NJ. back at the time they were 50 cents a box!! The men would buy them for their lunch breaks.

ETA--I won a really nice softball glove by selling house plants. Cost $60 back then probably 3x's that much now