RANT - Charidee days in schools

meritaten

Arrrgh its Children in Need time again! and only TODAY did grandgirls get told the 'theme' for Fridays 'dressing up day'. its Superheroes and Pudsey. they can either dress up as a Superhero or all in Yellow as Pudsey. That is two days notice!
Do they think parents have a 'fancy dress shop' in their back bedroom? or the money to run out and buy the appropriate 'outfit? They know the dates of these events - I don't think a month or two weeks notice would be too much to ask for!
I am lucky in that I am a qualified seamstress and can make an outfit on short notice - but TWO DAYS? and I have 3 to make.

Also the cost - if a parent has three kids in school and has to buy outfits, then its a minimum of say, £5. that's £15 cost to the parent and the school expects a donation of £1. that's £18 to the parent and £3 to the charity - is it just me or does that seem a bit arrse backwards?
and its not just 'once a year' - barely a term goes by without the dreaded 'non-uniform' or 'Jeans for Genes' or some other 'charidee' day! more cost to parents - hardly any notice - and a lot of hassle!
I am of the older generation admitted! we NEVER did anything like this - yet it didn't stunt my education in any way! I do give to charity - I volunteered for years for a local charity - the schools didn't have to force it down my (and my parents) throats.
I think its about time schools concentrated on education! radical I know. but, I thought that was what they were there for.
(and I am now going to get people who insist that these so called 'charity events' are an essential part of education today - well you know what - my personal opinion is that they ARENT! people either grow up with a social conscience or they don't, it cant be 'taught')

pollypenny

Things have changed from simple 'non- uniform' then.

Flossie.

Yes it IS annoying M. There does seem to be something else every few weeks!

Tell you what used to get to me... the cookery classes where they were making something, and you were expected fork out some ten pounds or so for all the damn ingredients! This would be a couple of times a month!

And yes, there was always something to fork out for. Used to do my head in!

Lieja

I agree, especially about having to buy stuff rather than donate!

My office is doing 'Christmas Jumper Day' this year, and I've found myself looking to spend at least a tenner on a jumper when that money could be going to the charity!

Not sure I actually agree with all the charity 'day' stuff anyway. It's a bit peer pressurey when people might be happily donating all year round to their chosen causes and not have money for all these added days! It also cheapens the whole thing a bit when donations only come with a silly outfit.

double_mummy

yup very annoying

victorian day
book day
and children in need have happened so far for my son since september i've had no more than 3 days notice for any of them

on top i have also had my daughters insect day - she went as a bee
bright day
and again now children in need

it is a bit mad we do 4 or 5 a term at the moment its killing me the night before hand being up all night to get a costume done (mine are at 2 different schools)

tom9980

Relax and stop handwringing about schools. Go read all recent news letters because I bet it was in one, happens all the time parents not opening a childs book bag and reading the notes and missing info such as this, not to mention not bothering to read with the poor kid. It is not the end of the world if they don't dress up or donate.

Citizenship is on the curriculum and being a good person who helps others in need means this is very much on the school agenda now. The blame for that lies with officials in Whitehall not at the school gate.

Lily-Rose_3

Omg ^^^ .....

bloolagoon

Blimey I'm the only one who sends money and stuffs the dress suggestion

purpleshoes_2

My mum teaches in a primary school and there's very little like that that goes on throughout the year, one day, never heard her talk about more than that. If I had to go as a superhero somewhere (and I have for certain events), Id be buying a T shirt and customising it and doing it as fuss free as possible, but timing is everything. 3 days notice really isn't good.

timbo58

apart from the kids feeling left out, if you don't want/can't afford for them to dress up, simply write a letter to the headteacher letting them know that 'johnny and mary' won't be dressing up as you can't afford it and you won't be paying a 'fine' for the same reason.

there's no legal compunction for you to pay 'levys' set for children not dressing up, they are merely a 'speculative invoice' which you can choose to pay or not.

Frankly it's the same as chugging in my book (charity mugging).

FWIW, and not that it bears any relevance, I only give to animal and forces charities and feel no shame in refusing to contribute to others.

I must be getting old (but I'm not even a grandfather yet!) but I despise the US traditions that are now an encumbrance on families such as 'proms' (what was wrong with an end of year disco !!!!!!?) and charity days. I will not give to trick or treaters either, however 'penny for the guy?' no issue.

Clearly Victor Meldrew is nothing on me.

Kaye1

I think it depends on the school. For CiN this week, ours is either- wear something yellow, spotty or pj's, so plenty of choice and no outlay.
Last year, she wore yellow leggings,(which she already had) a light jumper and I bought some yellow ribbon for her hair which was 50p. She was happy with that and it looked fine.
Perhaps you could mention it to someone at the school?