We've already spent $60 in school supplies buying "the list".
There is also a $25 classroom fee (it is optional except not really....)
Now the PTO is having a "write the check campaign" Which I'm incredibly excited about because I hated all the stupid little fundraisers we had last year like spirit night at CFA and the school got a portion of the sales that night. A big cow came to school and encouraged all the kids to go.
How much should I give? Recommend donation is $100 per family.
Ditto OscarQ, although given that I was ready to throw shit by January of this past school year because we were asked for so many "donations," I'm not exactly objective about such things these days.
Last year I think I gave somewhere btwn $300-500 through the various requests for books etc...
I'm actually excited this year the teacher request lists were for kleenex and not gift cards to the parent-teacher store because it was her first year teaching after several years off.
Yes, I'd write a check you can afford and ignore the rest of the fundraisers.
My kids are only in preschool (it's "public," but we pay tuition) and we were already inundated last year. I just ignore all of it except for Scholastic book fair, cause I'm a book whore. Then we just donate on our own to Parents as Teachers.
This stuff 's why I haven't joined PTA because I assume it's all one big fundraiser meeting.
As a teacher, at a public school, I would like to clearly state that we don't like fundraisers any more than parents...although I do like the benefits of what is done with the money, I still hate asking the kids every morning (while the fundraisers are happening) if they have any donations to hand in. It makes me feel awkward.
So are they not going to do the other fundraisers this year? If I were you I'd pony up the $300 you spent last year on the other stuff. Not to be a PITA, but you can afford it, and it's directly benefiting your kids.
This.
On another note, I hate is when they make it a contest between kids.
I would give at least $100. My DS is going to a catholic preschool and despite the $$$ tuition we pay and school supplies we bought, this school STILL tries to get us to donate more. To that, I say hell no. To the public school, I am okay with since there isn't a tuition requirement.
I wouldn't give anything. Not until the Superintendent and Principal receive a much needed pay cut. But I'm bitter and my kids don't even attend public school.
I wouldn't give anything. Not until the Superintendent and Principal receive a much needed pay cut. But I'm bitter and my kids don't even attend public school.
Tangent but I'm not sure what you think an appropriate pay for a super and principal is.
Our super I think makes about 180k. He's has 3000 employees. The CEO of DH's company made in excess of $5M last year and has 3000 employees.
Our principal has a staff of at least 40 reporting to her. I think principals make about 80k. In private industry that would be a 6 figure position.
Post by copzgirl1171 on Aug 21, 2012 7:44:07 GMT -5
I am so on the fence about this kind of stuff.
I mean if I knew my $$$ was going toward maybe supplies for a needy child, play ground stuff, or books I would be happy to send a check, but I doubt you would get a clear answer as to where it all goes.
This leads to a random vent but my Mom bought some knitted hats and gloves to take to the elementary school during the winter last year to be kept at the office for kids without or in need and they declined to accept them, but would have taken a monetary donation. I mean really, tags still on them etc
I wouldn't give anything. Not until the Superintendent and Principal receive a much needed pay cut. But I'm bitter and my kids don't even attend public school.
Tangent but I'm not sure what you think an appropriate pay for a super and principal is.
Our super I think makes about 180k. He's has 3000 employees. The CEO of DH's company made in excess of $5M last year and has 3000 employees.
Our principal has a staff of at least 40 reporting to her. I think principals make about 80k. In private industry that would be a 6 figure position.
The paper ran a story recently that the combined salaries of the Superintendent and Principal in our school district is around $500K. That's ridiculous, IMO. Especially when the neighborhood kids are always ringing my doorbell begging for money, the building is falling apart, and our taxes are ridiculously high for the area. We also know people on the school board and things are pretty corrupt. Until the school starts using its resources more wisely they wouldn't be getting an extra dime from me. I'm still upset that my kids are homeschooled and I have to pay such high taxes for the administration to get paid so much.
I mean if I knew my $$$ was going toward maybe supplies for a needy child, play ground stuff, or books I would be happy to send a check, but I doubt you would get a clear answer as to where it all goes.
This leads to a random vent but my Mom bought some knitted hats and gloves to take to the elementary school during the winter last year to be kept at the office for kids without or in need and they declined to accept them, but would have taken a monetary donation. I mean really, tags still on them etc
The brochure says where the money is going. The school is brand new, only a couple years old. The last few years the money has gone towards playground equipment, Library books, giving teachers each $100 for classroom supplies and teacher appreciation luncheon.
This year they want money to make sure each lower elementary class has a strong classroom library and upper elementary to have docking/charging stations for ipads/kindles the kids bring to school. (this isn't the low rent district)
I mean if I knew my $$$ was going toward maybe supplies for a needy child, play ground stuff, or books I would be happy to send a check, but I doubt you would get a clear answer as to where it all goes.
This leads to a random vent but my Mom bought some knitted hats and gloves to take to the elementary school during the winter last year to be kept at the office for kids without or in need and they declined to accept them, but would have taken a monetary donation. I mean really, tags still on them etc
Next year tell your mom to donate them to local police department. Our church collects winter clothing for kids every year and gives them to the police, who always find kids that need them while driving around or being called to people's homes. So sad
Does the money for these fundraisers go the the PTA or directly to the school? At my old school all the school fundraiser $$ went to the PTA and they chose how to spend the money. The only money the school ever raised was at concession stands for sporting tournaments and that money went towards paying for the entrance cost to other tournaments so that kids didn't have to be charged to play sports.
Does the money for these fundraisers go the the PTA or directly to the school? At my old school all the school fundraiser $$ went to the PTA and they chose how to spend the money. The only money the school ever raised was at concession stands for sporting tournaments and that money went towards paying for the entrance cost to other tournaments so that kids didn't have to be charged to play sports.
aw: there is only one principal and one superintendent in your district? We have 81 elementary schools, 17 secondary school, most with 2 administrators and many with 3, and then we have at least 11 Superintendents of Education. If one principal and super were raking in 500k that would be a lot, although starting salary for a vice principal here is 101k and most of the supers make 130-180k.
aw: there is only one principal and one superintendent in your district? We have 81 elementary schools, 17 secondary school, most with 2 administrators and many with 3, and then we have at least 11 Superintendents of Education. If one principal and super were raking in 500k that would be a lot, although starting salary for a vice principal here is 101k and most of the supers make 130-180k.
This was just talking about the Super and the Principal of our high school. And we live in middle of nowhere, Ohio, in a very LCOL area, so these salaries are ridiculously high. But, both people have been with the school for as long as I can remember. Our current Super was the assistant principal back when I was in middle school (that was a long time ago) and the Principal has been in that position since I was in high school. So, I get that they deserve the occasional raise, but I'm sorry, when you're levying taxes and asking parents to pimp out their kids for money for books, something doesn't sit right with this for me.
I mean if I knew my $$$ was going toward maybe supplies for a needy child, play ground stuff, or books I would be happy to send a check, but I doubt you would get a clear answer as to where it all goes.
This leads to a random vent but my Mom bought some knitted hats and gloves to take to the elementary school during the winter last year to be kept at the office for kids without or in need and they declined to accept them, but would have taken a monetary donation. I mean really, tags still on them etc
Next year tell your mom to donate them to local police department. Our church collects winter clothing for kids every year and gives them to the police, who always find kids that need them while driving around or being called to people's homes. So sad
It broke her heart. She has so little herself that it meant a lot to her to be able to help.
aw: there is only one principal and one superintendent in your district? We have 81 elementary schools, 17 secondary school, most with 2 administrators and many with 3, and then we have at least 11 Superintendents of Education. If one principal and super were raking in 500k that would be a lot, although starting salary for a vice principal here is 101k and most of the supers make 130-180k.
This was just talking about the Super and the Principal of our high school. And we live in middle of nowhere, Ohio, in a very LCOL area, so these salaries are ridiculously high. But, both people have been with the school for as long as I can remember. Our current Super was the assistant principal back when I was in middle school (that was a long time ago) and the Principal has been in that position since I was in high school. So, I get that they deserve the occasional raise, but I'm sorry, when you're levying taxes and asking parents to pimp out their kids for money for books, something doesn't sit right with this for me.
There is a superintendent in charge of only one school? That's just silly.
This was just talking about the Super and the Principal of our high school. And we live in middle of nowhere, Ohio, in a very LCOL area, so these salaries are ridiculously high. But, both people have been with the school for as long as I can remember. Our current Super was the assistant principal back when I was in middle school (that was a long time ago) and the Principal has been in that position since I was in high school. So, I get that they deserve the occasional raise, but I'm sorry, when you're levying taxes and asking parents to pimp out their kids for money for books, something doesn't sit right with this for me.
There is a superintendent in charge of only one school? That's just silly.
We are a one school that houses all grades (K-12) under one roof with a super, not unheard of at all.
This was just talking about the Super and the Principal of our high school. And we live in middle of nowhere, Ohio, in a very LCOL area, so these salaries are ridiculously high. But, both people have been with the school for as long as I can remember. Our current Super was the assistant principal back when I was in middle school (that was a long time ago) and the Principal has been in that position since I was in high school. So, I get that they deserve the occasional raise, but I'm sorry, when you're levying taxes and asking parents to pimp out their kids for money for books, something doesn't sit right with this for me.
There is a superintendent in charge of only one school? That's just silly.
No. I'm sorry. He overseas the high school, middle school, and two elementary schools. The $500K includes his salary and the salary of our high school Principal only. And I should add that we aren't a large district. The average graduating class is probably between 175-200 students.
omg, that is incredible...I guess it's because we are a larger school board (population wise) but that would never happen here. Our superintendents are in charge of at least 8-10 schools...I think in my section of the board the Superintendent is in charge of well over 20 schools.
My daughter's first year in public school was last year, and I was massively irritated with how a fundraiser was scheduled. They had the kids doing some lap running thing around a track with people sponsoring laps run to raise money for a shade cover for the playground - which WAS needed, it's Texas and it's hot as balls here. I was happy it was a physically active event and not "buy candy" or some shit like that.
BUT they had it the week after Teacher Appreciation Week and field day and the week before graduation. So in the span of like 3 weeks, I was at the school helping with Field Day, I was coordinating teacher appreciation stuff for her class and helping in the classroom and donating money for a teacher gift card, then I was asked to donate to the playground shade cover, and then I had to go back up to the school for a bunch of end of the year activities. Spread that shit out. You'll get more of my money that way.
I feel the same way about the OP's school's request. You've just bought a bunch of supplies and paid a class room fee. They need to wait a month or so before asking for more money.
The suggested donation is $100 and you spent $300 last year? If you have the means I would probably just donate the $300 since not every parent is going to be able to afford the $100. The $60 in school supplies is irrelevent imo.