Public School Census -- "You Must Provide Details About Your Children!"

Letter received this afternoon | 29 October 2002 | Downingtown Area School District

[Malacoda]

This seems like some awfully personal info -- WTF do they need MY SSN for? Plus, I have absolutely NO INTENTIONS of sending my daughter to a public school. That's tantamount to child abuse in my book.

I need some creative responses/solutions to this -- mostly for laughs.

Help me, Obi Wan FReepers -- you're my only hope!

[freeeee]

1. Write in large letters "none of your business". And mail it back.

2. Shred it, and mail it back.

If enough people did this, it would put an end to their "survey".

[kjam22]

Projecting how many students they may have in upcoming years, and making plans to deal with them doesn't seem like a bad idea. If your kids won't be going to public schools..... I'd say just write a ZERO on your form and send it back to them.

[CFW]

Public school law 1351 requires that we obtain information ...

It don't say nuthin' about requiring you to provide it.

[onedoug]

NannyState

[Pete]

If I were you, I would send a copy to the Home School Legal Defense Association (http://www.hslda.org). If your Downingtown is the Downingtown near Philadelphia, I would not be too flip in responding. My understanding is that there have been some issues with the school district out there (this, perhaps, being the most recent.)

[kjam22]

The american way is to run for the school board... and get friends of yours who think like you do elected to the school board. And then really change the system.

But it's easier and requires a lot less effort to just gripe about what they do and send in goofball answers to the survey.

[Aquinasfan]

I have absolutely NO INTENTIONS of sending my daughter to a public school.

I don't know what state you're in, but if the Superintendent of the juvenile detention facilities in your town is required by law to approve your homeschooling curriculum, then you should choose your words carefully. If not, fire away.

[goodnesswins]

I like others suggestions....PLUS....whenever ANYONE asks for Social Security # (except bank/employer) I write/say - only the Soc Sec Dept gets that number......

[martin_fierro]

I'm surprised they didn't ask you for the race and sexual orientation of your child.

[2banana]

File it in the circular file cabinet...

[3AngelaD]

I would make up fictional answers and mail it in as if nothing is amiss. This would 1) protect your privacy and 2) skew their results. Why do they need to know whether you own your home? Why do they need to know where you work? And whether your phone number is listed? This really is a bit much, deserving of Donald Duck answers.

[kjam22]

Cox Cable has my social security number. I think ATT and the water company have it too. I'm really not sure why I should care if they have them. Am I to be afraid that someone of their employ is going to steal my social security benefits (I'm 43 now)? Or I guess I'm afraid that someone of their employ is going to begin pretending to be me. Either way... it requires fear on my part.

[anniegetyourgun]

Perhaps the following?

Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, DOB - 1/1/52 and 3/2/55, employer: The Disney Company. No mice yet....just co-habitating.

[Alberta's Child]

The request for information is reasonable (since they need this kind of info to project their needs for school facilities, etc.). The information about each child's SS#, and the age, employer, etc. for each parent is not needed.

They are probably trolling for financial assistance from the state and/or federal government based on their future needs. I would simply tell them that you have no children who will be attending public schools. Let them try to figure out what that means.

[kjam22]

Why do they need to know whether you own your home?

I didn't write the survey... but let's think just a little. Own home and child is 3. Good chance you'll still be here when the child goes to kindergarden. Rent... much less chance you'll still be here. So they could project maybe 80% chances that X number of kids will be starting school in such and such year. And maybe 40% chance that Y number will be starting?????

It doesn't have to be sinister reasons unless we just want them to be.

[MrB]

whenever ANYONE asks for Social Security #

I say "just as soon as you tell me what our transaction has to do with me paying into SSA and/or receiving a distribution from same at my retirement".
Usually you're dealing with a minion that is required to ask for it so they can check your credit.

If the transaction has nothing to do with taxes, income withholding or retirement payments, they aren't getting it.

[Malacoda]

Well, I just noticed that they want our "Parcel number" for the property, as well.

It's a standard form letter -- you have to fill in your address on the letter itself.

Maybe I should just trash it, and take my chances.

[TomSmedley]

I need some creative responses/solutions to this -- mostly for laughs.

As I told the census takers last time they came around, "There are no children at this address who are under the jurisidiction of Bedford County." The literal truth!

If you live in the city and have time to spare, consider becoming a census ennumerator yourself. You earn a few extra dollars, and can conveniently overlook any home schooling families you encounter!

[BSunday]

It don't say nuthin' about requiring you to provide it.

Darn. You beat me to it. As a home school Dad, I always throw the public school census' in the trash, because that's how it's decided how much money they get.