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Post by crazy4scraps on Nov 11, 2016 15:48:14 GMT
Thankfully for us, we have an amazing PTA that coordinates just two major fundraisers a year for the school. We do what we can to participate in them. The school also does several drives as outreach, such as collecting gently used shoes when they do their version of walkathon, pennies for patients, broken crayons at the end of they school year or the little UNICEF boxes that they send home. If we are able to give (and we usually are), we do because I think it's a good way to teach our kid that not everyone is as blessed and lucky as we are.
We also donate a considerable amount of extra classroom supplies at the beginning of the year (and tissues, glue sticks, etc. throughout the year, as needed) because even though we live in an upper middle class area there are needy kids everywhere. The teachers here are so committed that it makes us want to help them and do what we can for ALL of the kids. It's my hope that if some kid comes to school with literally nothing, I've done my little part to help bridge that gap because I can.
I would be annoyed if the donations were tied to some special event that the non-givers weren't allowed to participate in, that's just wrong and I would absolutely take issue with that. Growing up I would have been that kid who didn't get to take part. It hurts my heart to think that a kid would be left out because their family doesn't have the means to provide anything extra.
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Post by thelmalou on Nov 11, 2016 15:50:25 GMT
I just sent home a request for my classroom. I teach in a public school. Parents are getting a free education for their kids. If they can't handle requests for Kleenex and crayons they have some serious issues. We do have charity drives-from different organizations. I think it broadens kids' thinking. That being said, I'd never reward or punish a student for not participating. It would be hard to participate in all of the drives anyhow. It is not a free education. |
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Post by Tammiem2pnc1 on Nov 11, 2016 15:55:45 GMT
I just sent home a request for my classroom. I teach in a public school. Parents are getting a free education for their kids. If they can't handle requests for Kleenex and crayons they have some serious issues. We do have charity drives-from different organizations. I think it broadens kids' thinking. That being said, I'd never reward or punish a student for not participating. It would be hard to participate in all of the drives anyhow. The Holidays are hard enough on some people financially. We were one of those families. And the constant requests for donations were just too much. I honestly ended up pulling my kids from brick and mortar schools and opted for online charter schools. Which are still free, but I don't feel the need to go broke to support. I never minded sending in classroom supplies, but drilling these donations into the kids heads like some teachers and schools do, make the parents who can't afford it feel like complete failures. We would regularly need to go to the food pantry for food for our kitchen table. But to be entered into the "special" contests they would have, that my son really wanted to participate in, I would have to dig through our much needed canned goods to send some into school. Thankfully we are not in the financial position anymore, but it sure did hurt my pride when we were. I am very glad you were never my son's teacher, I can't believe they way you think, it's sad and disheartening. Not everyone can afford your Kleenex and crayon donations, because they do have serious (financial) issues. |
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 11, 2016 16:05:25 GMT
We had two fund raisers each year. Most of the kids did not participate. We also asked for food donations in the fall. Everything was always optional and kids were told not to go door to door and only talk to people they knew. We did ask for Kleenex and many of their schools supplies though. As a teacher, I easily spent $100 a month on supplies and lunches for students who didn't have $ for lunch that day. It was frustrating to see parents with amazing nails and cell phones but no money for school lunches. If you are in that position you see things a little differently, but for the most part, I didn't mind helping out hungry kids or kids who were embarrassed because they didn't have the supplies they needed.
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 11, 2016 16:06:35 GMT
I just sent home a request for my classroom. I teach in a public school. Parents are getting a free education for their kids. If they can't handle requests for Kleenex and crayons they have some serious issues. We do have charity drives-from different organizations. I think it broadens kids' thinking. That being said, I'd never reward or punish a student for not participating. It would be hard to participate in all of the drives anyhow. Perhaps not, but we all are paying for education, even the teachers. |
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quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,714
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
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Post by quiltz on Nov 11, 2016 16:55:32 GMT
I just sent home a request for my classroom.. I teach in a public school. Parents are getting a free education for their kids. If they can't handle requests for Kleenex and crayons they have some serious issues. We do have charity drives-from different organizations. I think it broadens kids' thinking. That being said, I'd never reward or punish a student for not participating. It would be hard to participate in all of the drives anyhow. But yet you are judging about kleenex & crayons while yet admiting that it would be hard to participate in all of the drives. Is the kleenex/crayon thing not considered a drive? Or is this simply a classroom request? Please do not judge the students & their parents so harshly. What an individual family chooses to spend their limited funds on is none of your business. From kleenex, crayons to food drives or other fundraisers. I feel that schools have at times over stepped a line. Engage the PTA and/or local businesses to help with classroom supplies. |
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Post by gmcwife1 on Nov 11, 2016 17:50:36 GMT
I don't have a problem with the requests to donate items, but students should not be denied an activity because their parents didn't donate something. If the "donation" is mandatory for participation, it's no longer a donation, it's a fee and should be called such. I completely agree with this. |
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Post by workingclassdog on Nov 11, 2016 17:52:03 GMT
To tell you the truth the little ones like that I like better than those dumb things you are to sell... wrapping paper, cookies, etc.
I would rather donate a $1 or $2 here or there, canned foods, socks.... any day of the week. Wear jeans on Fridays for $1. Sure. Sell $20 wrapping paper to your family, NO THANKS.
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finaledition
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,896 
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Post by finaledition on Nov 11, 2016 19:09:01 GMT
My son's elementary asked for a donation at registration-check, gave suggested amount
Teacher asked for a class donation-check
Room parent asked for a donation-check
We had a fun run fundraiser which raised $55,000 ($15k more than last year)
A big dinner auction is in the works which typically raises $80k
But the thing that gets me is they still do a weekly Jamba Juice fundraiser which raises maybe $200 at most and a monthly night at a restaurant and and AND. Seriously, I'm over. I cannot fathom any need at this school that is not being met. Just because we can raise the money doesn't mean we should.
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Post by melanell on Nov 11, 2016 19:18:14 GMT
Our schools do ask for quite a few donations during this time of year. But I really don't agree at all with excluding students who do not bring something in to donate. That just seems awful to me.  |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Jun 1, 2024 14:17:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2016 19:20:48 GMT
I don't have a problem with schools asking for donations. Given the amount of cuts they have to deal with, I'm more than happy to buy extra boxes of kleenex and dropping them off at the office. When my kids were in elementary and attending a charter school whose budget is even tighter than the public schools, I gave their teachers wipes and kleenex at the start of each marking period so 4 times a year. I also asked if they needed anything. It's getting close to that time where student groups are doing drives for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I also donated hats and gloves because little kids lose theirs all the time.
However, I do not agree with the concept of excluding kids who did/could not donate. Unless there was a contest tied to the "drive." Then if the students being excluded were not part of the group that "won" then I don't have an issue with it. Donating a can of food so they can watch a movie? Eh... I don't know. Sure it singles out kids but it doesn't mean they are poor. It could be a case of forgetfulness. Sometimes, to get charity, you have to attach some sort of reward to it. Like the local library offering to wipe out your late fees for canned food - one can for every dollar.
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Nov 11, 2016 19:26:31 GMT
What do you mean by "already" in your title? I had meant already having several donations asked for within the first two months already having 7 or eight fundraising events. I have no problem sending in extra supplies for the classroom. Neither do I. I wasn't talking about class supplies, I was talking about fundraising events. This time of year, it just seems like you get hit for donations from every direction. Yes. Is the kleenex/crayon thing not considered a drive? Or is this simply a classroom request? I wouldn't consider sending in Kleenex or crayons a drive. Those are things for our students to use. To tell you the truth the little ones like that I like better than those dumb things you are to sell... wrapping paper, cookies, etc. I'll admit, I like sending in stuff much better than buying overpriced crap I won't use. Well, thank you peas, for your insight. I guess I do just want to clarify, because I don't want you all to think I'm some tightwad mother. I don't think public education is supposed to be free, in that I shouldn't send in supplies. I'm not even sure where that all came from. But, this being NSBR and all..... I have no problem sending in classroom supplies and tissues and stuff to be used by the students. I feel that is part of my job as a mother. And I do so very often. I was just saying that there have been numerous charity drives this school year already. |
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Deleted
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Jun 1, 2024 14:17:28 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2016 19:28:10 GMT
I just sent home a request for my classroom. I teach in a public school. Parents are getting a free education for their kids. If they can't handle requests for Kleenex and crayons they have some serious issues. We do have charity drives-from different organizations. I think it broadens kids' thinking. That being said, I'd never reward or punish a student for not participating. It would be hard to participate in all of the drives anyhow. Education isn't free. Let me send you my one tax bill that I pay 2x a year. |
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Post by *leslie* on Nov 11, 2016 19:39:14 GMT
It seems this year there have been many more requests for donations than usual. We had a start of school fundraiser, donation for laptops, PTA membership, field trip donations, restaurant night fundraisers, Fall Festival fundraiser. It's only November. I'm surprised that we don't have a fundraising going on right now before winter break, like cookie dough, lol.
Not only are we paying our regular property tax bill, there are 3 bond measures in addition that were voted through that are going toward education: elementary/middle school district, high school district and the local community college.
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smginaz Suzy
Pearl Clutcher
Je suis desole.
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Jun 26, 2014 17:27:30 GMT
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Post by smginaz Suzy on Nov 11, 2016 22:44:26 GMT
WOW...you sure are judgmental about the kids/parents you teach. I am just astounded at your response. Oh and I am a teacher and would NEVER think a parent has a "serious" issue if they can't handle a request. SMH. Hope your judgmental attitude doesn't come through to your students. How sad of an answer How am I wrong? If you cannot afford a $1 box of tissues for your own child to blow his nose in, do you not have some serious issues? If you can't afford 50 cents for crayons isn't there a problem? Are you a clueless moron or just a troll? It must be nice to live in the privilege of having no grasp of what it means to be less than privileged. Yes, there are neighborhoods where that level of donation is a hardship and as a teacher, it is astonishing that you do not have more compassion for your students who are in this situation. |
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Nov 12, 2016 0:31:19 GMT
We never have to bring any thing for activities. Sometimes in the winter teachers might request more Kleenex but that is all I can remember.
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PaperAngel
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Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Nov 12, 2016 4:58:52 GMT
When our now high schooler was in elementary (private school), it seemed parents received daily requests of donations for an activity/project/etc, usually due the next day! I wished a list of donation items had been compliled, like school supplies, so I could have made one shopping trip & sent them to school as needed. I understand your frustration with the inconvenience of the frequent requests.
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Post by AussieMeg on Nov 12, 2016 5:53:07 GMT
My kids go to a private school so we don't get asked for donations for the classroom or for supplies. Just as bloody well, I pay enough for the school supplies at the start of each year! It's usually between $200 and $300 per year.
My friends and family who go to public schools are never asked to donate anything. And they don't have to pay for school supplies either.
Once a term - so 4 times a year - my son's school will have a "free dress day" where the kids can wear normal clothes instead of their school uniform. They are asked to bring along a gold coin donation or a food item for a charitable cause. They are also asked to donate a gift for a disadvantaged child at Christmas.
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