kids schools with begging bowls at the ready

esmf73

But of course the whinging parents wouldn't possibly come along to PTA and suggest some alternative ways of funding stuff. QUOTE

I have to say I agree with the above. I am chair of a parent led playgroup. I have a 3yr old at the playgroup and it is very difficult balancing the requirements / demands of the setting with the generosity (or lack of) of the parents.

Unfortunately when you ask for help / donations it is always the same few who give their time and money and I realise that these parents will get fed up with constant asking. However, it is also only a few parents who will come to committee meetings and suggest ideas, or who will speak / email committee members with new ideas.

I don't like to have to continually fund my eldest sons primary school - but they are very good - we've just had Children in Need, Poppy Appeal so far this year - and that has been the sum total of 2 pounds!!! Yes I've donated cakes and things to raffle at the Christmas fayre, but I try and budget for these things throughout the year - picking things up when I see them.

Lidls seem to be good next week for Christmas Fayre prizes!!!

jess1974

flippin36 wrote: »

We're thinking of giving school our school a direct debit so they can just take what they want. Never have enough change for two children.

We just hand our purses into the school office on the way in...;)

flippin36

We could always do a sponsored whinge for Children In Need...:D

flippin36

We could coincide it with the childrens sponsored silence and get our own back!!

mrcow

I'm on the school's PTA and I have to say that I don't contribute to many of their fund raising schemes. I'll support the ones that I think are:

a. reasonably priced
b. would interest my children enough to warrant the cost

But many things I don't contribute to.

I may or may not go to the Christmas fair this year. I've helped out every year and have done again this year with the pre-fair support/organising but I don't know - to be honest, it's someone else's turn now - the school has over 500 parents, yet only 20 of us are on the committee.

I like the way other parents moan but when they are invited to come along and offer opinions and contribute to ideas, it's only ever the same 20 parents who are prepared to put the time in.

You have to pick and choose. I don't like the idea of a school having 4 non uniform days in a month with things to contribute to the Christmas fair! - what brainless person thought of that? How better to lose support and drain people's motivation.

Morglin

dawn_rose wrote: »

is it just my daughters nursery school or is every school that likes to tap you for money every single week for various ad hoc things. the way things are going itd been cheaper to send her private lol. she only started in sept and its slowly skinting me. next year my other daughter goes so itll be 2 lots its getting beyond a joke now.

My daughter goes barmy - she's got 4 kids at senior and primary schools - and every week, one or more of them wants money for something, and it's usually something they should be funding themselves!:eek::eek:

Years ago, when education was centralised, there wasn't much of a problem - now they have handed budgets to schools, they are always out with the begging letters.

Lin :rolleyes:

gabyjane

Dd's school asked for the instalment for her school trip last night (total £230 at mo but increasing) for £75..supposed to be done in bits of either £25 or £50 so was a bit steeper than we expected grr! lots of unhappy parents!
Other than that this week we have had:
xmas school dinner £2
Skipping rope £4
Raffle tickets £3
paid for the school made smas cards £5
Don't ind the above really but it all comes at once.

There could have been photos..£8 and other bits but didnt get those!
The next one is the school xmas fete but we are away..shame!

mrcow

gabyjane wrote: »

Dd's school asked for the instalment for her school trip last night (total £230 at mo but increasing) for £75..supposed to be done in bits of either £25 or £50 so was a bit steeper than we expected grr! lots of unhappy parents!
Other than that this week we have had:
xmas school dinner £2
Skipping rope £4
Raffle tickets £3
paid for the school made smas cards £5
Don't ind the above really but it all comes at once.

There could have been photos..£8 and other bits but didnt get those!
The next one is the school xmas fete but we are away..shame!

I would have saved the £8 on the raffle tickets and the cards too!

wiseways

We used to get letters sent printed in red ink demanding the 'voluntary' contribution. We did find a private school for a reasonable rate, although the travelling was far. Eventually it did work out cheaper, since when it came near to the 11 plus exams all the teachers put in extra hours free of charge. Also after school clubs were free and varied. There was no bullying and the standard of teaching was superb.

rainbow81

Oh this makes me so cross! I thought education was free! I have to pay a yearly "fee" to cover school trips - £39. They haven't even been anywhere! After school and lunchtime classes are extra.

Tomorrow they are making a fruit salad so I've just bought half of Morrisons market street! PJs day last week. Mufti day next week. Someone is going to ask me for £5 for the teacher's christmas gift soon. Class photo and individual photo - £12 each minimum. They all made the exact same design of Santa with their handprints - £6 for 12 xmas cards in said design. I wouldn't mind but I feel guilted into buying it.

We tend to avoid anything with sponsorship, bring and buy, toy sale, christmas fair, "Social nights", raffles, etc. I just can't afford it. If it's educational I'll pay, if not then I think I'm just being hounded for money I haven't got.

Rah. Sorry, but thank you for letting me get that off my chest