School - Money for this and that

retro_bluebell

Lydia82 wrote: »

I have a really serious nut allergy and I'd say that if you were making any sort of sponge cakes then you should be absolutely fine, I wouldn't go searching high and low for not-contaminated-by-nuts flour, I wouldn't add anything to it/on top of it bar icing or whatever.
I've always (from being able to read) been quite sensible and have taken the odd risk now and again.
Actually it would have been more dangerous (in my young free and single days) to kiss someone in a nightclub than eating a cake made by someone who'd been careful.

thank you for that, thats really good to know. I found it tricky as you can get stuff that says no nuts but then say made in a factory that makes nut products..I dont want to break someone elses child

Janepig

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

Have you tried having the AGM straight after school? You might find that there are lots more people who would turn up if they didn't need to arrange childcare to do it.

I mentioned this in one of the PTA's I went to last year, but it does seem to be mostly working parents who attend and it's just a case of not being able to please all the people all the time. You'd get more stay at home parents in the afternoon perhaps but less of the working parents. Although it was suggested that we do one meeting in the afternoon then the next in the evening, etc.... which was a compromise.

What I've found though is that it's always the same parents who get involved. Much as it's always the same parents who will take their children to class parties, out of school activities, etc...

DD's cheerleading group had a fundraising curry evening on Tuesday and once again it was the same parents who supported the event - I don't mean a clique, just the same people turning up who support the various events that go on. Even when I was a child my mum used to get involved with the school and stuff like brownies, etc... and she used to say the same - you'd see the same parents round and about.

In fairness DD and DS's school don't ask alot (I don't think) and I'm just glad to get the free education! Even though we don't live in a very affluent town, the parents at the school do seem to be amongst the more well off (I have my theories!) and the school has been able to raise a fair bit of money for stuff like interactive whiteboards, etc... and they're always open with their accounts. Plus the headmaster is a genius at balancing the books!

Jxx

elektra-2007

My ds goes to a small primary school, we have the PTA who raise funds via pre xmas sales, summer sales, blue bags, quiz sheets and raffles all year, BUT they fund trips, interactive whiteboards, Laptops ect. THen we have the governors who have Pea and Pie Suppers ect all yr to raise money for building funds. Then school have Sports relief Day, Children in need Day, St Davids Day, St Particks Day, Book Week Day,Ect Cake Bake Sales, Buy A book for school during Book Week.
But I have to say it is a good little school and they do make the most of what they have ect...so I dont mind much. But when I was on benefits I did find it hard with all the costumes and the sponser money ect...I can totally agree.

blue_monkey_2

Gingham_Ribbon wrote: »

Have you tried having the AGM straight after school? You might find that there are lots more people who would turn up if they didn't need to arrange childcare to do it.

I am not in charge yet but I do not think that will work either because of childcare arrangements and having the kids there, we would not be able to talk about finances and the like with everyones kids running around. I do not have anyone at all to look after mine until hubby gets home, then there are after school clubs that a lot of the children attend and the meeting was well over an hour. We choose evenings as most people have a partner at home in the evening - this is spoken as such because the school is small and there are only a handful of SPF.

yummymummy1987_2

hey, i completly agree i joked to my mum the other day there isnt a week that goes past were they arent non school uniform min donation £1. last week we had a bring a gift and donate a pound for swap shop mothers day. I saw 2 children crying in the play ground as the parents had forgot, the children are badgered (sp) just as much as us (dont forget the present and money or ill be the only one that cant do it mummy) also watching videos of haiti etc before the non school uniform day. I completly understand the need of fundraising but even with dp 26k salary i really struggle some times with all the clubs and fundraising etc.

blue_monkey_2

The other thing is, we were new to the area and if I did not join the PTA and SC then I'd just be another face in the playground. I have loads of friends and people I speak to now all because I do this little bit extra so it helps socially too.

I am organising a slimming club through the PTFA and I've so many people interested you'd not believe. It means that we cannot give up or eat too much junk because the other mums will know that we are weak!! LOL!!

lizalloareds

my sons school is the same, usually want money every few weeks

ciderwithrosie_2

Yep, it's always the same few that volunteer to help. What really used to annoy me was parents who never helped at anything moaning loudly - the summer fete didn't have many stalls, the queues were too long etc, when they'd never dream of making the effort to help us out. Grrrrrrr! As I said I was on the PTA for 12 years but there were parents that had done more years than me. The same ones that were previously on the Mums and Toddlers committee and Playgroup and now we've all had to 'retire' from the PTA as our kids no longer go there we've joined the local residents group to try and raise money to do up the park and provide a few interests for kids and adults on our council estate.

t4mof

Yes, similar story at my son's schools as well, although the infant school seems to have more fund-raisers than the junior school.

I had to pay £5 for my youngest to go to Nottingham Castle today - we live 6 miles out of the city centre. Apparently all activities for the day were paid for by school and this was just to fund transport. 60 kids, £5 each (assuming everyone pays) = £300 for 2 coaches to travel a 12 mile round trip - I think I'm in the wrong job!!

And although these costs are "voluntary" there was a reminder in the newsletter last week that if they didn't get enough money they would have to cancel.

School has cost me £27.50 this week (school photos as well as trip), and I've still got 6 days till pay day :mad:

TinaEvans

when you are on a limited income - ie income support or a low wage - having one or two or even three kids in school is a nightmare. your disposable income is zero and the kids want £1 to participate in something for charity! you havent got it! no kidding - you dont have a pound because tomorows when the money comes in and it all goes out out again! you have to ask the kids nan -again- for cash. your budget is tight - to pay the bills is hard enough - and the school want you to give to charity??? wish you could.....but you struggle to pay your own bills - and school uniforms and expenses ............why do they expect you to pay for charity when no ruddy charity helps you out? youre on benefits through no fault of your own - but you still have to pay everything - does the school help out? no! so who are the charity events helping? sorry but this annoys me - there are kids more deserving of charity help in the school - yet the school milks parents without giving anything back.