Free Republic

Back-to-school sales suffer By M.S. Enkoji Jul. 31, 2009 Jeans for $29, the sign reads. What's a mother to do if she has two daughters about to go back to school? "The sales are really enticing," said Janet Weeks, who has a 12-year-old and a 15-year-old. "That's a pretty good deal for jeans." But she's a teacher who is a little worried about her job at McClatchy High School. So moderation is the theme for this year, said Weeks, who is passing up a lot of the deals and bargains. "This year, they can probably start the school year with...

I have recently learned that student attendance at the PTA/PTO-organized book fair, "winter boutique" and other school sales at my 5-year old daughter's kindergarten are mandatory. Yes, mandatory, if you consider the fact that all children, regardless of whether they bring in money or not to shop with are taken to these sales to "browse". In other words, children do not have the option NOT to visit these fairs, and parents do not have the option to either consent or not consent to their child being taken shopping or "browsing" by their teacher. Yes, technically, parents and children have the...