School - Money for this and that

blue_monkey_2

I am on a PTFA and we do things like this, recently it has paid for a new school roof, decorating, books, curtains for the hall (due to new roof) new gym floor, it also goes towards school trips otherwise they would cost you more. Lots of things really.

The performers that come in for kids have to be paid for and this is also what money is raised for.

Cakes, yes we still have those.

The PTA is not some exclusive club, I am on the school council too as I believe that my voice might make a difference and if there are issues I might be able to help get those resolved. I would just email the head and ask how you join the PTA/PTFA and usually you can just turn up at a meeting.

I have to say ours can seem a bit clicky but next eyar I am taking over as chair and all of that is going to change. It does depend on who you have in charge of it in all honesty. A lot of them have people who seem to be miserable and unapproaching - I hope that I am not going to be like that because we are all in it for the same reason.

In regard to charities, you do not HAVE to give the money but just send your child in anyway, they cannot demand it from you but we would have given no doubt anyway.

blue_monkey_2

angelicmary85 wrote: »

Are you still allowed to bake things? Our local primary won't allow it due to the possible outbreak of food poisioning that may occur afterwards!

Yep, and the greedy parents that might want to sue the school/PTFA for a few thousands. Sadly, this is what society has turned us into.

blue_monkey_2

ciderwithrosie wrote: »

Does the school have a PTA? If so, it doesn't appear to be very proactive or successful. I was on the PTA of our junior school for 12 years and in that time we raised many thousands of pounds (and this is a school in a very poor area) We paid for a new IT suite, coaches for school trips, the cost of visiting authors/artists etc, stage blocks, playground equipment, and every year each class teacher could submit us a list of items they'd really like and we'd try to accomodate them as much as possible. The PTA would send out a regular newsletter to keep parents informed of upcoming events so if we did have a cake sale, at least you got some warning and we could tell parents where their money was going and ask for ideas. Asking for £5 for non-uniform day is criminal, my boys only ever had to pay a quid. Trouble is they've got you over a barrel because no one wants to see their child left out or embarrassed. I'd be asking to see what the PTA spend their money on if there is one.

regards CWR

This is pretty much the same as our school Rosie. Thre should be an AGM each year will will also tell you how much has been raised, what it was spent on, etc... We had just 4 people turn up at ours this year - all PTFA members. People just do not seem interested these days.

blue_monkey_2

retro_bluebell wrote: »

Our school has an active PTA but that money "apparently" gets spent on equipment for the school, they never raise funds through the PTA for school trips. They are quite exclusive too you can only get in if other parents vote for you Is that not normal then? (sorry highjacking the thread)

I think you might be getting confused with the School Council or Board of Governers. The PTA is 'Parent Teacher Association' so is open to all parents and teachers to attend. I am sure they would be more than happy to see you there, we love any extra hands that can help us.

It is also nice to see where the money is spent, I'd never have realised otherwise in all honesty. My daughter paid £6 to go on a coach to the beach last year and they got Ice Cream too - an absolute bargain seeing as it was 2 hours each way by coach and there was only 35 children from 2 classes going (very small school) but the PTFA put money into that.

*Louise*

Blimey, I'm glad our school isn't as bad as some that have been mentioned.

They do have the odd fund raiser, but not all that often thankfully. 50p now and then for a 'special' tuck shop' or DS wanting me to buy him books during book week. It's not so bad atm.

Weirdest fund raiser so far though - all the kids were given a tube of smarties and given the challege to fill it with change, preferably 20p's once the tube was empty. (Asked if children could perhaps be 'rewarded' for helping round the house etc) well, I put £5 in 20p's in it and it wasn't even half full. No way am I sending £15 just for a fund raiser lol.(The kids get entered in a raffle to win a prize when they hand in the tube) I will stick some 5p's in as well so it's not half empty.

The PTA do seem to help the school a lot though - they help towards the cost of school trips etc. I joined when DS started school, but once I had the younger ones I couldn't make the meetings.

deedee71

So far this term we have had "Wear a Hat for Haiti" donation, a fashion show, bingo night, Valentine Party, Burns (Tartan) Day, and today is £2 for socks for Sports Relief along with dressing up for a sport tomorrow with yet another donation.

It's relentless!

ETA.... and it cost me £26 last week for the Book Fair too!

ciderwithrosie_2

retro_bluebell wrote: »

Our school has an active PTA but that money "apparently" gets spent on equipment for the school, they never raise funds through the PTA for school trips. They are quite exclusive too you can only get in if other parents vote for you Is that not normal then? (sorry highjacking the thread)

Blimey, no! we were so grateful for anyone that offered to help, although we did get the odd parent that thought the PTA was some sort of elitist group made up of snobby mums! :rotfl:If it's snobbery to want to help the school and thereby benefit your own kids and everyone elses - then I'm guilty!

cazscoob

i have a nightmare with our school asking for money in 1 week alone it cost me £30 to let my kids go on a last minute trip to see Lemony Snicket for a book signing. we had to pay for the bus and a book each for the children, this day turned into a nightmare as the bus was late, the kids didnt even get to see the author and as they had stayed later they got home at 3.30 with no lunch!!! they were meant to be back at school for lunch time!
we have letter every week and it costs me around £2 per week each for extras, the older 3 are at school/nursery so i am dreading having all 5 at school!!!

retro_bluebell

blue_monkey wrote: »

I think you might be getting confused with the School Council or Board of Governers. The PTA is 'Parent Teacher Association' so is open to all parents and teachers to attend. I am sure they would be more than happy to see you there, we love any extra hands that can help us.

Ahh maybe I am maybe thats it! To be honest Id love to join the PTA but the boys school is erm, how do I put this, a bit stuck up - we live on the wrong side of town from the school so get looked down upon sometimes, so dont know if I would feel comfortable at theirs....I am planning to join the PTA as DD's school when she starts in September (different school all lovely, open an friendly- also on this sie of town lol)

WestonDave

Our kids school is the same - I actually find its not so much the cost (although I'm able to afford it whilst I know some will struggle more) its the never ending blizzard of bits of paper that have to be returned. We had a milk form on Monday (15th) which was printed with the date of 11th (Thursday) saying please return by the 15th as we can't process late orders. My son is 5 - it may be the case that he leaves stuff in his drawer but as the practice is for the teachers to bring the kids out after school its impossible to check for yourself!

The PTA makes us laugh as well - my OH thought she'd be helpful and volunteered - turns out its basically an excuse for the head to boss adults about instead of the kids - she says what events they put on, and heaven help anyone that disagrees with her choice of how the money is spent. Trouble is - that apart she runs an excellent school so its hard to argue - although I think a bit of a mutiny is brewing!