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photo by Emjay
When the cashier rang me up and I saw $75 pop up on the register, I had to catch my breath. I was trying to do my part: in my son's kindergarten class, each family has been asked to provide snacks for the entire class for a week. So 21 kids, close to a buck a kid, times five days, and you figure, maybe I made out cheap!
The reality is, public school often costs. Trips, snacks, projects etc. I thought a lot about this when an anonymous mom asked, "Would you be upset if a teacher asked you to provide expensive items for a class project?" She simply can't afford what the teacher is asking for.
We all know that funds for public schools are drying up and that schools need as much help as they can get. But how much is too much when it comes to what individual families should be asked to do?
Comments (19)
At my public high school (I graduated in 06), we had to pay fees to take classes if we used any extras in them besides pencil and paper, such as home ec, biology, driver's ed, etc. I think that's BS. It's public school, some of those courses are required, and some people really can't afford to pay for classes PLUS school supplies PLUS school clothes PLUS "graduation fees" and everything else that goes along with school.
DEPENDING ON WAT THEY ASK FOR I HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO 30 DOLLARS ON CLASS PROJECTS PLUS WHEN THEY WOULD ASK FOR SNACKS I WOULD BRING WAT I COULD THAT SOUNDS CRAZY I WOULD ONLY BRING ONCE A WEEK
I guess Im one of the lucky ones who are never asked to supply expensive items...just the occasional posterboard for projects.
I dont know what I'd say or do...I mean we do buy the pencils, paper, notebooks, backpacks and all the other lovely things that go along with school. But I think if its a neccessity for the class then the school should provide it.
My girls are in 3rd,And 6th grade,And I'm the Room Mother.I make all the treat bags for the Parties,And usually have to pay for the Pizza,Because the parents don't send in the $1.00 Party money,On top of all the other money for School trips,And Supplies.But,Wait till they Graduate.I have had one son Graduate a couple of years ago,And Justin is Graduating this year.The cost is CRAZY!!!! Already $600.00 for Senior Pictures(And they take Pictures again on Graduation day,That I have to pay for),$375.00 for invitations and Cap,and Gown,$400.00 for Class Ring,$100.00 for the Year book,Money for all his Sports,Money for all his field trips,Money for tests,Money to got to interviews for Scholarships,Of course we will have him a Graduation Party,And Buy him a gift,When does the list end.Everyday he comes home he needs money for something else.Oh ya,He just went to the Snowball Dance Saturday,So there went money for clothes,Tickets,Food.I'm beginning to think it will never end! And there are more Dances to come! I'm glad hes Graduating,But the cost is just way to much.I have 4 children,And a Limited income,You would think the Schools would understand that.I don't know how all the Parents do it!
Good god! I homeschool and even when I make cupcakes or have a project to do it has never cost me $75.00! We use a charter school and one class can have up to 80 students!
It does add up sadly. If the funds aren't there then the teachers need to change what they are doing. Many parents can't do it. I know I can't.
My mother teaches 1st grade and if there is something she wants to do and the school can't pay for it she either bypasses it or pays for it herself.
Our school has you buy crayons, glue, tissues and paper for EVERYONE at the beginning of the year. If they need anything else, they should include it then.
If a teacher says, "It's your turn to bring in such and such next week. Maybe $50," I'd be OUTRAGED. I can't always afford that. If it's something she'd like parents to do, then she needs to ask, at the beginning of the year, for parents to contribute to a class fund. It's never okay to ask individual parents to provide for the class.
tell me about it. My daughter is in the 2nd grade and now she has to do book report projects every month. This month she has to wear a costume. Where am I going to get the money for this? On top of it, hubby is away at boot camp and he doesnt get paid until next month. So i'm doing the best w/ what I got. Oh and the school has these monthly fundraisers. Like I have the time to go and ask people would you want to buy something again?
Erica37-- does your son have a job?
Yes,He does have a job! But,Hes Graduating with Honors,Never has missed a day of school,Runs Cross Country,@ track,Pays his own cell phone bill,And Hes a Very good kid.So,Why in the world,Would I make him pay for his own Graduation????And hes a member of Young Life,And Volunteers for them! I'm very Proud of him!