Posted on 12/08/2005 11:39:06 AM PST by Motherhood IS a career
Thank God for the Catholic school system.
I think you should make some serious noise. Mandatory attendance at fundraising events for ANY organization is not a legitimate part of any school curriculum.
I'm with you FRiend.
While we are at it, I'd like to see a ban on ALL school-sponsored selling activities: candy, t-shirts, magazines, etc.
Our tax dollars support the schools; our kids shouldn't be pressured into becoming unpaid salesmen.
I think your right and maintain my freedom by homeschooling.
Solves all my "forced participation" issues in one swell foop.
Good luck arguing principles with the PAATP though!
I'm about to. Unpopular as it may make me. Fortunately, I'm not concerned with winning any popularity contests.
It the same thing that has been being done for over 40 years by the left wing socialists. They are taking over the rights of the parents to teach our children what THEY believe is correct and right. Social Engineering!!! Acceptance of lifestyles that we as parents would never teach our children. Read for yourself:
http://waysandmeans.house.gov/hearings.asp?formmode=view&id=954
Hmmmm----Mrs Pondman is very active in the PTO and these fundraising events, and nobody is twisting the arms of the little ones to buy anything.
I do agree that the PTO is basically a fundraising arm of the schools to equip them with stuff they can't afford to buy because of the exorbitant salaries and benefits of the teachers. But hey, "it's for the children"......
Thanks. But I'm not going to argue with the PAATP. I'm going to take it to the Board of Ed.
When my kids were in elementary school they offered parent nights at the book fair when we could shop with our kids.
Maybe that's the alternative you can offer to not wanting your child to shop and browse alone.
I never minded selling activities because my daughter enjoyed them so much and relished selling. But no child should be forced to attend a book fair and certainly not without a parent. Many years ago, my daughter attended a summer camp that had reading as a part of it. The teacher was awful and she was dismissed and replaced before the end of the camp. The university running it felt kids and parents needed some type of reimbursement (I didn't because I felt that the school handled the situation very well) so they gave the kids vouchers to use at a children's book store and took them there on an outing. My dau chose an author that I didn't like and for years would only read her books. I always regretted sending her to that camp because of the bookstore adventure.
I do agree that the PTO is basically a fundraising arm of the schools to equip them with stuff they can't afford to buy because of the exorbitant salaries and benefits of the teachers. But hey, "it's for the children"......
For the Brain washing of our children and the eliniation of the authority and responsibilities of the parents towards their children.
True, but that's what they do. I felt the same way about the endless fundraising that went on in elementary school; and many other things they do with your child.
They do not observe proper parent/child boundaries, either yours or theirs as parent-substitutes, and; as you're finding out most other parents don't care.
You sound just like I did when my first child entered public school. It will only get worse, believe me. Mine endured 4 years before I took them out and homeschooled them; and they still thank me 11 years later.
"While we are at it, I'd like to see a ban on ALL school-sponsored selling activities: candy, t-shirts, magazines, etc. Our tax dollars support the schools; our kids shouldn't be pressured into becoming unpaid salesmen."
Double-Dog-Dittos to that!! I'm so glad my daughter is out of school! I hated those Willy Loman-money-making scams!
Well, our children have been going to book fairs since our oldest started school 9 years ago. We've never felt obligated to buy anything. And with one or two exceptions, we haven't bought anything. Our kindergarteners have attended these book fairs. They know we won't purchase anything. We tell them ahead of time. We have so many books that they don't care. And we take them to the bookstore enough that they know the selection is much greater at the store than at the book fair.
Our school is no longer having a book fair. They are having their book fundraiser at Barnes and Noble. So far, we have not been.
Can your kindergartener read? Are they selling material that is unacceptable to you?
Being in the PTO and doing this stuff is really a pain in the keister, but it is one of the few ways parents can influence the local schools. Actually we are somewhat fortunate in that our sons teacher is also quite religious, and actually talks about Christ in the classroom!!! I am holding my breath, waiting for her to get fired.
I was shocked too at some of the crap public schools do. Like in Texas, I buy supplies for my son and then they go into a group bucket and they all share. This way the poor kids doesn't have his feelings hurt because he bought rose brand crayons!
I'm in Virginia now and they don't do much of that here, but they trick you into attending PTA meetins (at least the first). They schedule it the same night as meet the teacher meetings. So you show up and they put you in a room and then proceed to listen to their crap. What I do now is I show up, get a program. Read the program to see what time the meetings start and then I leave and return when the meet the teacher meetings start.
But if it ever gets too big of an issue I'll just have to send them to private school. But that's why I choose to live in more conservative areas...less of that garbage (but you still have some of it).
This is a Shakedown.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.