the cost of christmas school concert.

lazer

atrixblue.-MFR-. wrote: »

The time has arrived when my girls have brought home what can only be described as a precise dress code for specific parts they are to play in the Christmas concert, they are doing a spin-off of the film Oliver.


Dress code as requested for DD 1:
Dark blue velvet jacket, Grey waist cost, blue button shirt, grey ankle length skirt, white waiste apron, white socks, and Daps, a mop hat, finger tipless grey gloves


for another scene: grey button shirt, grey waist coat, black trousers (cut to calf length and has to appear torn and disheveled) red sock and blue sock, dai cap, black daps.


Dress code for DD 2:
Black/darkblue velvet jacket, black waist coat, white button shirt, grey ankle length skirt, red or white waist apron, black or red
socks, black daps, mop hat, finger tipless red gloves.




I've just done 1 hour on the interballs of searching for the cheapest and nastiest stuff to try and get for this 1 time use clothing, and the cheapest for both came to £55.99 each without the post price and some of this clothing I have already!!
the dearest being the dark blue/black velvet childs jackets at £19,99 each for their size!!
this in my opinion is an unreasonable amount to pay out for a Christmas concert, shall I contact the school and explain that I cannot afford to shell out over £100.00 for these items?

Black velvet jacket - £7 - who cares if it is too big - what age are the children?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ZARA-KIDS-BLACK-VELVET-FORMAL-JACKET-AGE-9-10-/371198104478?pt=UK_Kids_Coats_Jackets&hash=item566d21939e




A few navy ones available in the auctions too
http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Kids-Clothes-Shoes-Accs-/171146/i.html?_from=R40%7CR40&_nkw=navy+velvet+jacket


Grey waistcoats available too for £5
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rebel-Jnr-Boys-Grey-Mix-Sleeveless-Waistcoat-6-7-Years-Formal-party-/111513838501?pt=UK_Kids_Coats_Jackets&hash=item19f6be23a5


Check out the used stuff on ebay - should be able to get bargains in the auctions!


Or look through the "oliver" costumes on ebay and you minght be able to get everything for around £20

Money_maker

Definately charity shop, just need some velvety curtains and a stapler. Job done!

duchy

Oy ! Leave Meri alone.
Both are regular posters and the comments are relevant to the thread.
It's not like she was asking him when he's bringing Barnes some treats up or anything else not relevant

jaylee3 wrote: »

:huh: :huh: :huh:

Am I reading this correctly? Are you seriously having a conversation on the moneysavingwebsite with your son, about issues at his child's school?

Do you not have a phone? Landline? Mobile? Email? etc etc... Or is it not possible to ask him in person.

I think I've seen it all now. :rotfl:

duchy

You don't need to be a member of the PTA to be heard (although I'm sure some PTA members do think it will give them an edge and do it for that reason). Any decent school listens to all parents not just the ones with entitlement issues.

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

Because when I was a member of a PTA you built up relationships with the teachers and as a result you could talk to them about issues such as these - and on the one I was on senior staff also took part.

As for being a Governor you have access to the Head in an informal setting

Surely its better to be able to influence policy then just moaning about it?

Marisco

meritaten wrote: »

I should have said that I normally make or adapt the kids costumes if needed. and yes, charity shops are usually great for finding clothing you can adapt or cut up and remake into something else. But that only works if the school just give a 'general guide'......................oh and have they tried to buy 'daps' this time of year?
(Daps is Wenglish for plimsolls)

I'm glad you've put that meri, I was about to ask what they were!! I'm Welsh, but have never heard that term before, it must be a South Walian "thing" ETA, we used to call them pumps.

pollypenny

Daps is a South Walian and Somerset term I learned.

Marisco, I always thought you were a valley girl, too.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

jaylee3 wrote: »

I don't know about the people saying they wouldn't be spending much: I wouldn't be spending ANYTHING.

If the kids are in a play, then the school can fork out for it! What an absolute cheek!

Clearly, the teachers involved in this, are very solvent, and well paid, and have money to burn. They must be if they think that parents can just shell out 3 figures for a couple of outfits for a play!

Why do schools always think parents have a endless stream of 50 pounds notes?

This puts me in mind of my friend's daughter who started college last year, and one subject she picked was 'music performance.' The first thing they said was that she needs a microphone: and they said 'it doesn't have to be an expensive one: just a hundred and twenty pounds or so!' :eek:

Just as well her talent was singing rather than playing an instrument, as she wouldn't have been able to get away with just one item that will last years and be good enough for professional work, for just £120.

Shen81

Speak with the headteacher if you are having trouble affording items for the concert. The school will have provisions in place to help people who can't afford them.

jackyann

I have posted this before, and will say it again (with apologies if it has already been covered in this thread)
I would definitely be going to the head & teacher-in-charge as an immediate response is needed.
But then, maybe over the holiday, do write to the Governors. they don't always know what is going on at this level, and they do need to. I think that most Governors would be horrified at the list you have given.
Parents do really need to talk to the Governors: about charity days & fund raising, about costumes and other things needed. Parents need to have plenty of advance warning, a limited number a year, information about how to do things cheaply and who to contact if they have concerns.

And for a special concert, ask the Governors, teachers & PTA to consider what was common practice over many years: open up a room at a convenient time for a "sewing bee" so parents & other helpers can sort out, make, mend, alter clothes & props.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

MAMAN
That's far too rational a way of dealing with it rosie as it would seem are many other suggestions given.

I think it must be very boring in the valleys as OP and his mum seem very keen to make a big drama out of it (excuse pun). All suggestions for working with the school and practical ideas have fallen on deaf ears.


How can you work with the school on the issue, when I only had the letter yesterday tucked in school bag and read it when we got home, I then priced things ups, and to that point it was too late to call the school and ask about it.




jaylee
I also think that the OP needs to take some of the advice on board. Although I disagreed with wiogs earlier in the thread, I do acually agree with them, that it would be a good idea to either talk to the PTA or join them, as you can put your twopennyworth in if and when something like this.
And yes, I would also be getting together anything I could, (eg from charity shops,) and they would have to accept that.
you disagree in a post then agree later!? do you not that caused WIOGS to respond the way they did? and then turn the thread into a fact finding mission.


I never said I wouldn't take the advice onboard, your assumption not mine.


Its not so easy to get involved on the PTA because the school already has a full PTA and its year on year the same people you can put your name forward, but unfortunately the school has its favourate clique of people and stick to the bitter end with them you have a better chance of winning the lotto than getting on the PTA in the valleys schools.


NOW onto the matter at hand.


The school was asked by my wife this morning, that is there any flexibility in the dress code.
and the response was weve had a few complaints about the dress codes already, and admittedly the school has made a mistake in requesting that specific of a list, and that anything that resembles the person in the film is acceptable.
The school didn't check the cost of some items, and thought many of the items could be had form charity shops, but it seems some mothers have checked out the local charity shops and has said its impractical to adhere to the specific dress code.
My wife also asked if anyone form the PTA questioned the list and dress code, and the answer was they don't usually have input on the plays because its a teacher derived ide but took the suggestion of having a PTA involvement form a costs and practical side of parents point of view.
The deputy head also said that they had not checked that they had vintage or Victorian style dress up clothing in storage, before they had OK'd the play and when they checked they didn't have many pieces that would fit the characters and were relying on parents to provide the kit, and there for why there is a specific dress code, but she has seen that affordability and availability is going to be an issue for many parents, and a meeting with the head tonight to raise the specific complaints received.


so as it stands now, the dress code is flexible and can make or source cheap as possible items, and that some items can be ignored due to cost and availability.