Posted on 03/06/2008 4:14:08 PM PST by An American in Turkiye
A little girl, no older than 6-7, rang my doorbell tonight. I answered, and she asked me if I wanted to donate to her school. I asked if she was selling something, but he was not. Just getting donations. I was taken aback by the fact that she had no parent with her. Way too young to be out alone. I declined (I never carry cash with me), and she continued on down the street.
With all the billions spent on public schools, and the absolute, complete failure of them to properly teach little skulls of mush, I started to get angry. Why are schools sending their students out for donations? Yes, we know where a good chunk of the education money goes (apparently down the drain), but I can't believe they would have the gall to pimp their students out like this. I do not have children, nor will I, and I still pay my fair share of taxes, which inevitably, and a good portion goes to the NEA.
I felt bad for that little girl. I could tell she was extremely shy, and really did not want to go house to house asking for donations. I could tell she hadn't raised much money by the disappointed look on her face. No doubt, she will go back to school with a few bucks, and will probably be teased from other students that she didn't raise as much as them.
Any thoughts?
Did she offer up any official looking information. Sometimes these are scams.....plus, I agree....schools should not be sending kids out to solicit $$$. I’ve had a couple of teens come to my school asking for help (through some organization or other) with their college....I told THEM to go get a job. (One of them had a parent/adult standing right behind him.)
CORRECTION....”come to my school” should read....”come to my HOME”
Was it Chelsea Klinton?
I remember those magazine pimps we used to do in school. the cheap prizes, and the time wasted that could have been doing something moderatly productive. And then there were the choclate and bake sales where we were supposed to “give back” to the school by buying a tv or some such.
Is it just public schools who do that kind of whoring or do private schools do it too?
I agree with you completely, and you description pimping is quite apropos.
She said it was for a field trip.
Every school my kids have attended has had the kids participate in fundraisers. Whether it’s selling chocolate bars or expensive gift-wrap, they all do it. The few companies that handle the fundraisers make a mint I have no doubt. I have no issue with the PTA or other group conducting a fundraiser for a special project. But considering the huge amount of money spent on education, the kids shouldn’t have to raise a dime for the schools. Parents should take a close hard look at the school board budget and see where the money is going.
I went to a private, catholic school and we never sold anything or went around for donations. Of course, my parents paid a good chuck of money for tuition, which I thank God everyday that they cared enough about me to send me there.
I don’t know. When I was 5, my 6 year old sister and I got into our Mom’s grocery coupon stash, and went door-to-door in our neighborhood “selling” them to unsuspecting neighbors. We were so successful that we strayed much too far from home, and our parents came searching for us.
i wouldn’t recommend it nowadays, and it’s not a story I would EVER tell my children!
Actually, we do support (by buying the popcorn or candy bars) sports related fund raisers....cause I really think that SHOULD be something outside of the normal education fund raising.
Did you call the superintendent of schools and confirm that the child was fundraising for the school?
Our local Catholic school does a once-a-year raffle that the kids participate in, but otherwise I think all fundraising is done by the parishes and diocese and not the kids. Of course, a private school that does offer discounted tuition to those that need it I think at least has a good reason to raise funds beyond tuition.
When I was in grade school I can remember the PTA putting on a “fair” and bake sales that everyone helped out, but as I recall they were always for special projects beyond normal activities.
“It will be a great day when Public Schools have all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to build a bomber”
...from a bumper sticker.
The message behind the school fundraisers is that they don’t have enough money. All they have to do is to cut sports programs, but no way. They would rather pimp the kids.
Got to pay for all the bureaucrats at the district office. Yeah, the ones with “advanced” education degrees who generate paperwork for teachers.
I so totally agree. We’re having to do it right now for, of all things, the National Honor Society. Excuse me, but I thought the National Honor Society was all about them giving to the community, NOT the community giving to them.
With all the child abductions that have happened over the past several years what parent in their right mind would allow a child that young to go out by herself and go door-to-door?
Private schools do it too, as do the Boy Scouts (popcorn), the Girl Scouts (cookies), and a number of other organizations.
Are we positive we were talking about a public school here?
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