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mema2012
LIF Infant
Member since 10/12 333 total posts
Name:
Mema
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Graduation balloons
My DD is graduating from elementary in June, and our PTO is running a graduation balloon fundraiser. Families can purchase a personalized graduation balloon which will be affixed to the railing of the front steps of the school on graduation day. After the ceremony, you are then free to take the balloon home and display it there.
I think it's a cute idea but already see flaws, as does my 10 year old daughter! My mind immediately went to the kids whose families cannot afford one. While it would look nice to have all of these balloons welcoming you in to the school, what happens to the kids who don't see their names?
Does your school do anything like this at graduation? Our PTO meets next week and I plan on bringing this up for discussion. The kids have reached an age where they understand that not everyone gets a trophy, but I think this is different and should be inclusive of the entire graduating class (about 90 students).
Am I making a mountain out of a molehill??
Btw...DD showed my the flyer and said she does not want one...without any input from me
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Posted 5/20/19 7:13 AM  |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Graduation balloons
Not a fan of this idea, because like you said, it excludes the kids that cannot afford it. Such a shame that someone even thought it was a good idea!
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| Posted 5/20/19 7:40 AM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Graduation balloons
I totally agree with you, especially coming from a school with an extremely diverse economic population. It would almost make more sense to have a fundraiser to purchase a balloon for each child.
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| Posted 5/20/19 10:11 AM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Graduation balloons
Our district does mylar balloons on mailboxes at people's homes. Every child gets at least one, as a gift from the PTO. Then families are free to purchase more as a fundraiser.
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| Posted 5/20/19 12:40 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Graduation balloons
Our PTA does lawn signs and it's really so cute. No one feels left out bc it's at your house and not displayed in front of everyone to see.
It's the school name, in the middle is the child's name and under is Class of 2019.
Cute to take pics in front of at your house.
Never seen the balloons one and not a fan.
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| Posted 5/20/19 1:11 PM |
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Cruisin
LIF Infant
Member since 2/16 253 total posts
Name:
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Graduation balloons
How much are the balloons they are selling? Isn’t there a helium shortage going on? Thought I saw that at my Dollar Tree
ETA: our school has the graduating students give their parent a single flower at the ceremony - that’s paid for by their fundraising from the year.
Message edited 5/20/2019 2:27:19 PM.
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| Posted 5/20/19 2:22 PM |
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Adri
Joy!
Member since 5/05 3116 total posts
Name:
A
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by Katareen
I totally agree with you, especially coming from a school with an extremely diverse economic population. It would almost make more sense to have a fundraiser to purchase a balloon for each child.
I agree. A fundraiser would be a better idea, so every body can have a balloon.
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| Posted 5/20/19 7:23 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Graduation balloons
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
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| Posted 5/21/19 3:46 PM |
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I actually agree with this
We never do the boosters in the playbills, the signs, anything like that. My kids are fine. Have never even asked about it (they're 11&12) or been sad they didn't have it either.
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| Posted 5/21/19 4:10 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Graduation balloons
I don’t mean to come off as insensitive, but how much are these balloons?
I do think it would be odd to not have a balloon for every kid. I’m a little confused as to why the school can’t find money in their budget for balloons. I mean, they’re balloons. They’re not college scholarships.
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| Posted 5/23/19 2:24 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by LuckyStar
I don’t mean to come off as insensitive, but how much are these balloons?
I do think it would be odd to not have a balloon for every kid. I’m a little confused as to why the school can’t find money in their budget for balloons. I mean, they’re balloons. They’re not college scholarships.
It's a fundraiser.
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| Posted 5/23/19 3:16 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by LuckyStar
I don’t mean to come off as insensitive, but how much are these balloons?
I do think it would be odd to not have a balloon for every kid. I’m a little confused as to why the school can’t find money in their budget for balloons. I mean, they’re balloons. They’re not college scholarships.
It's a fundraiser.
Yes. But how much does each balloon cost that it would be unaffordable to certain families? In my mind these balloons are maybe $5, tops.
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| Posted 5/23/19 3:33 PM |
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mema2012
LIF Infant
Member since 10/12 333 total posts
Name:
Mema
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Graduation balloons
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Helps me see both sides!
The balloons are $12 each
The balloons will actually be attached to a lawn stake on the school front lawn...kids can then take them home to display in front of their house.
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| Posted 5/23/19 5:15 PM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by mema2012
Thanks for the replies, everyone. Helps me see both sides!
The balloons are $12 each
The balloons will actually be attached to a lawn stake on the school front lawn...kids can then take them home to display in front of their house.
$12?!?!? I’m all for a fundraiser but I can’t imagine paying $12 for a balloon.
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| Posted 5/23/19 7:16 PM |
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Katareen
5,000 Posts!
Member since 4/10 7180 total posts
Name:
Katherine
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I agree for a typical fundraiser, but I think on a happy day like graduation I wouldn’t want my kid to feel inadequate.
But judging from the cost of the balloon I would imagine most wouldn’t participate.
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| Posted 5/23/19 7:18 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
I would never pay $12 for a balloon that will either float away, or deflate in a couple of days. That's like Disney World prices 
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| Posted 5/23/19 8:38 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by Katareen
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I agree for a typical fundraiser, but I think on a happy day like graduation I wouldn’t want my kid to feel inadequate.
But judging from the cost of the balloon I would imagine most wouldn’t participate.
I agree. And I’d suck it up and buy the balloon.
This is supposed to be a happy day for these kids. And they’re just that, kids. What seems inconsequential to us (adults don’t care about a balloon) may be a big deal to them. Let them have their moment and their balloon.
I would hope that they would find a way to give every kid a balloon. I’d be happy to give extra to cover an extra kid or 2, even if I think it’s a stupid fundraiser.
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| Posted 5/23/19 8:55 PM |
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MC09
arrrghhh!!!!
Member since 2/09 5674 total posts
Name:
Me speaks pirate!
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Re: Graduation balloons
$12 for a single balloon is insanely overpriced. Is it a regular latex balloon? Mylar? Made of gold?? If balloons are what they decided to do then I do think it's a little odd to not have a balloon for every graduate. I mean these students are graduating as a cohort, it would be odd for some of them to get balloons and some to be empty-handed. The graduation is an accomplishment for all of them. Couldn't the PTA or school just do another fundraiser to come up with the money to gift ALL the kids a balloon?
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| Posted 5/23/19 10:20 PM |
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LSP2005
Bunny kisses are so cute!
Member since 5/05 19458 total posts
Name:
L
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Re: Graduation balloons
$12 is crazy. Our school charges $5 per mylar balloon and they are all delivered to your house. Max order is 12 balloons. PTO delivers them to the graduates homes.
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| Posted 5/23/19 10:23 PM |
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KarenK122
The Journey is the Destination
Member since 5/05 4431 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I don't think everyone needs to have the same at all things but when it comes to items that solely rely on having money, then it is unfair and all kids should be treated the same. No child should be made to feel left out because their family does not have the money to participate especially when it is a public school related activity.
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| Posted 5/24/19 10:17 AM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by KarenK122
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I don't think everyone needs to have the same at all things but when it comes to items that solely rely on having money, then it is unfair and all kids should be treated the same. No child should be made to feel left out because their family does not have the money to participate especially when it is a public school related activity.
But isn't this life? Doesn't how much money we have determine what we are or are not able to get? And who is to say that a family does not participate because they don't have money. Maybe they won't participate because they think it is wasteful. Maybe the think it is stupid. Whatever. Let the people who want the balloon get the balloon and the ones that don't, don't.
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| Posted 5/24/19 12:34 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by Katareen
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I agree for a typical fundraiser, but I think on a happy day like graduation I wouldn’t want my kid to feel inadequate.
But judging from the cost of the balloon I would imagine most wouldn’t participate.
I agree. And I’d suck it up and buy the balloon.
This is supposed to be a happy day for these kids. And they’re just that, kids. What seems inconsequential to us (adults don’t care about a balloon) may be a big deal to them. Let them have their moment and their balloon.
I would hope that they would find a way to give every kid a balloon. I’d be happy to give extra to cover an extra kid or 2, even if I think it’s a stupid fundraiser.
Would you buy the balloon even if your child expressed that they did not want one?
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| Posted 5/24/19 12:38 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by Katareen
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I agree for a typical fundraiser, but I think on a happy day like graduation I wouldn’t want my kid to feel inadequate.
But judging from the cost of the balloon I would imagine most wouldn’t participate.
I agree. And I’d suck it up and buy the balloon.
This is supposed to be a happy day for these kids. And they’re just that, kids. What seems inconsequential to us (adults don’t care about a balloon) may be a big deal to them. Let them have their moment and their balloon.
I would hope that they would find a way to give every kid a balloon. I’d be happy to give extra to cover an extra kid or 2, even if I think it’s a stupid fundraiser.
Would you buy the balloon even if your child expressed that they did not want one?
No, I would not but I would ask why they didn’t want one.
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| Posted 5/24/19 1:01 PM |
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LuckyStar
LIF Adult
Member since 7/14 7274 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by KarenK122
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I don't think everyone needs to have the same at all things but when it comes to items that solely rely on having money, then it is unfair and all kids should be treated the same. No child should be made to feel left out because their family does not have the money to participate especially when it is a public school related activity.
But isn't this life? Doesn't how much money we have determine what we are or are not able to get? And who is to say that a family does not participate because they don't have money. Maybe they won't participate because they think it is wasteful. Maybe the think it is stupid. Whatever. Let the people who want the balloon get the balloon and the ones that don't, don't.
Yes, it does. But if a 10 year old will feel left out at their graduation because their parents couldn’t afford a balloon, the school’s message shouldn’t be “too bad, you’re poor.” I would not want to see another parent have to disappoint their child over a $12 balloon. I’d pay for the damn balloon myself if it would make the kid happy. If nothing else, it would be a lesson to my own child in generosity and the importance of being kind. The rest of the world will teach kids that life sucks. My job is to teach her to kindness and inclusion.
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| Posted 5/24/19 1:20 PM |
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jamnmore
LIF Adult
Member since 6/16 989 total posts
Name:
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Re: Graduation balloons
Posted by LuckyStar
Posted by jamnmore
Posted by KarenK122
Posted by jamnmore
I think it is fine. Not every kid gets everything. Some kids will get a balloon some won't. Why does everyone need to have everything the same?
I don't think everyone needs to have the same at all things but when it comes to items that solely rely on having money, then it is unfair and all kids should be treated the same. No child should be made to feel left out because their family does not have the money to participate especially when it is a public school related activity.
But isn't this life? Doesn't how much money we have determine what we are or are not able to get? And who is to say that a family does not participate because they don't have money. Maybe they won't participate because they think it is wasteful. Maybe the think it is stupid. Whatever. Let the people who want the balloon get the balloon and the ones that don't, don't.
Yes, it does. But if a 10 year old will feel left out at their graduation because their parents couldn’t afford a balloon, the school’s message shouldn’t be “too bad, you’re poor.” I would not want to see another parent have to disappoint their child over a $12 balloon. I’d pay for the damn balloon myself if it would make the kid happy. If nothing else, it would be a lesson to my own child in generosity and the importance of being kind. The rest of the world will teach kids that life sucks. My job is to teach her to kindness and inclusion.
But we are making assumptions that the family can't afford it. What if they just don't want it? What then? Should the child have a balloon because it will make everyone else feel better? When does it end?
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| Posted 5/24/19 1:26 PM |
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