Tadpoles costing me a fortune at school! Can I get through this in an O/S way?

ubamother

i would seriously have a word with the school - I do think that parents who make costumes for their kids and others and have to fork out the money should be entitled to a discount on tickets. I also think the school could be open to suggestion about costs for multiple children - ie. class photos £14 for first child's class, £10 for second child's class - at least it would help a bit!

culpepper

If you have time you can mostly find things in the right colours at charity shops. After all they are only going to be worn a couple of times really.
On sports day, do they not have those bandana thingummys that go over the shoulder?
It does seem unfair to have to fork out all the time.
Teachers must earn loads if they think several hundred pounds are just lying around waiting for school activities.

betterlife

hi, i know how you feel!, maybe give small contributions/donations. as on freecycle for and craft/fabric stuff so next time you wont have to buy so much. or stock up at carboots. as for school pic i always buy one small one then do the rest on my computer if i want them bigger or the grandparents want one. maybe start a savings pop especially for kids schol stuff. trips/ plays/ etc. think of ways to raise extra money for it maybe the kids could get invovled its them who will benefit. you could all have a clear out and do some carboot sale/ yard sales do a cake stall at the next summer fair/ table top sale at the local church. x

frogga

Hi All,

Thanks for all the responses. It's good to know I'm not alone. I guess there is no answer, except to say that they are my Tadpoles, my responsibility, and I wanted them and I choose to allow them to go on these outings et.c so ~ tough! :rotfl:

Can't get them photographed together as Tadpole 1 is at high school already , but next year I'll be able to do that again There is a photo of Tadpole 2 on his own ( a really good one too :rolleyes: ), one of him in the footie team, a Year 6 photo and a whole class photo. The cheepest package is one single photo medium size at £14. If I bought one of each that would be £56! I know my Mum and Dad and Nan, and Mr Frogs Dad would all love one too, but no way am I buying a bigger package. I hadn't thought of the copying thing. Our PC wouldn't do it and I dont think a professional printer in the town would do a copy because of the legalities

I did have a look in the charity shops and although there were Green things in there they were all way too old for Tadpole 1. She wanted something trendy and stylish not something embarrasing to feel uncomfy in :rolleyes: I know , I know it sounds like I'm spoiling them. They are VERY grateful though and Tadpole 1 even offered to keep the labels in and then take them back after the event Naughty I know

I also heard her telling Tadpole 2 to cut out their evening snack of cereal to help with the food costs and Tadpole 2 gave Tadpole 1 1/2 of his birthday money to pay me back. See they are thoughtful about it and don't expect it. While I want them to be thinking about the cost of things I don't want it to worry them or feel guilty about it. They didn't ask to be hatched did they?

You are right about the "voluntary" thing. I did enquire about this. YOu had to go into school and speak to the Headmaster and explain "why" you couldn't afford it. I also know that the cost of the trips is higher per person to cover those not paying. I DO NOT want someone else paying for my Tadpoles , I choose to have them so it's my problem.

The school that Tadpole 1 goes to has just built it's own theatre so I guess they charge for the upkeep. Tadpole 2's school are doing their performance in the theatre in the town so we have to buy tickets from the box office. It's great for them to be on a propper stage et.c but they have got a perfectly adequate school hall :rolleyes:

At least I can look ahead to Sept when I start my new, much better paid, job and know that then things will be getting easier.

.................................... and I don't care how tight it sounds I'm NOT buying pressies for the teachers at the end of term. Well, not big pressies anyway

ethansmum

'In my day' for sports day you could wear Team-coloured ribbon rosette (easily hand made).

Only_Girl_in_the_House

Hi Frogga

I give my time instead. I joined the PTA as soon as DS1 started and have been treasurer ever since. I go to the committee meetings and help organise and run things as well as doing the accounts and the reports. That way, I don't feel guilty about not buying raffle tickets or giving donations.

I only buy the school photos if I really really like them - no point paying for rubbish.

The really expensive things are the school trips (DS1 has one for £350 next year:eek: ) but I've just bitten the bullet and budgeted for these. As you say, they are only little once and these are such great experiences the school provides.

HTH

frogga

Hi OGITH,

I too gave my time on the school cttee. I was treasurer for 6 years and secretary at the same time for 3 This is Tadpole 1's last year at primary school so I have now given it up as its time for someone else to take their turn.

Two weeks ago the school asked for contributions to the summer fayre. They asked for

1. No less than 5 items for the Tombolla
2. Alcohol only for the adult alcohol raffle
3. 2 cups filled with childrens items for the childrens tombolla
4. Cakes for the cake stall

I'm affraid I had to speak to the Headmaster as I thought it was too much especially in times of hardship for many families. I think the alcohol only for the adult raffle is wrong on so many levels ~ I wrote a letter of complaint and they said it was voluntary contribution for non uniform day, however if you didn't contribute your child had to come in uniform and would stand out a mile as having tight parents ~ hardly voluntary then :rolleyes: I sent Tadpole 1 in with Wine Gums

queen_of_string

That seems like a very over the top list for any school to send home. I agree about alcohol, definitely a no for me. My son is in yr9 and for summer fair we were asked for 1 item for the tombola. My only suggestion on money saving is to club together with other parents and swop things when you need a certain colour/thing.

Aril

I have to agree with Queen of String on the fete front Frogga. My son is year 5 and we have the fete this Friday. We've been asked to provide a tin or jar of something [each year is asked to provide something specific eg box] but the children were allowed a non uniform day and he's been given a paper plate that he's been asked to fill with cakes so I've made flapjacks. There was also a letter asking for any unwanted books and uniform that they could sell.
When I was Chairman of the PTA we were always extremely aware of not asking for too much as many of the parents are on low incomes/benefits and it would have been a real struggle for some. I tend to give my son a set amount to spend at the fete at the beginning of the evening so that once I've bought him a drink and a burger I am not constantly dipping into my pocket.
Although our school do seem to ask regularly for money for things it's nothing on the scale you've been asked to do. They're also quite sensitive eg when the panto became a ridiculous price they brought in a much cheaper theatre company to the school instead for a Xmas treat and when the small person had his school trip they had used the Sainsbury's vouchers and booked it early in the season and used a pgl camp near here to bring the costs down.

With regards to photos we have them taken twice a school yearand as the small person has sadly inherited my photo gurning gene it's not hard to knock out one! I always make cakes and contribute in other ways but since OH was made redundant I have stopped making a contribution to the school fund as I would rather use the money for my son. My conscience is clear as I spent 4 years on the PTA and put in many hours on a voluntary basis both doing that and hearing the children read. I only stopped when I had to go back to work full time.
There have been times when I have had to explain to my son that we simply can't afford certain things or he has chosen between 2 things. I am always honest with him and he understands the position. My ethos has always been to treat him when he's not expecting it but not to spoil him and by and large he's a very jolly small person. I appreciate senior school may be a whole different ball game:D
Aril

she_grinch

When I had to make lion costumes for youngest 2 and a victorian servant girl costume I dyed old white sheets and clothes with a handful of teabags in the bath.