Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

OK, so maybe I am hypersensitive since I've been out of work for sometime but it's a month into school, and I have seriously been asked for money no less than 7 times.

We needed to send in:

$25 for Friday Cooking Fee (this will be asked of us again in Jan)

$35 for school trip budget

$10 for classroom celebrations (along with a note from class mom that more will be asked for holiday and end of the year teacher gifts)

Dues to join PTA and Septa

School Fundraiser, Miss Chocolate

Scholastics book club forms have been sent home twice already.

School Book Fair is coming, they sent home Prepay GC so our kids could shop at the Fair

Picture Day Package money needed to be in this week

School night out at NY Islander game

I just feel like it's out of control. I am getting a note home practically EVERY day asking me for money. I feel obligated and don't want my kid to be judged for not supporting everything kwim.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

I work in a school and my children attend a different school and that is certainly the norm in both, except for the cooking fees. Never heard of that.

A lot of those things are voluntary. We don't do any fundraisers and we do the rest of the voluntary stuff on a case by case basis depending on the cost and whether the kids want to buy/do it.

Don't feel obligated to do ANY of the voluntary stuff. The other kids probably won't notice. Kindergarten kids tend to be unbelieveably self-centered.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

That sounds outrageous to me.

Here's what we do:

$5 per kid for class party money.

At Christmas time, we ask for $7 per kid for a teacher and class aide present. Totally voluntary, we make that clear on the letter.

Scholastic book forms are sent home, most kids don't participate.

Book fair is done AFTER school, during the Spring Exhibit in May. That way no one really feels left out.

Class trips are mostly free. In my 7 years at this elementary school, I can think of 2 that we had to pay for.

There are PTA fundraisers that are sent home, but we usually don't particpate.

I pay my PTA dues, but it's only $6 a year, so I can swing that.

I think your school is asking for WAAAAAYYYY too much money, but that's just IMHO.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

It gets worse as they get older (and into their teens) when they HAVE to have something NOW and need $3 here and $5 there.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

it is out of control. i don't feel obligated to do everything. that fundraising packet to sell wrapping paper and other useless stuff went straight into the garbage. and i'm a class mom

i am shocked at the request of not only money but time. i had every intention of volunteering here and there, but when 2 of the 3 class moms backed out I decided to step in.

collecting $ for the class was based on what has been done previous years and is now considered "the norm". due to cutbacks if the teachers and kids want to have parties and extra fun activities, the parents are asked to chip in - $20 for the year. there was another $5 request towards a basket raffle, and everyone for the most part contributed to that as well.

in kindergarten the parents are asked to sign up to help out with art, library and photography. they are also asked to sign up to provide party supplies and snacks. for us we are seeing mostly the same people signing up, those who are SAH and/or who have greater work flexibility. i personally don't dig it that the children see the same faces (one of which is going to be mine), it's not fair to those kids whose parents are unable to attend...

from what is hear, this is NOTHING compared to what is in store for us once the kids get older. the time requested may be decreased, but not the $. budgets cutting into sports and other extra curricular activities will also then start coming out of parents' pockets. i only have 2 kiddos, but multiply that by 3 or 4 and it totally adds up!

i'm all for contributing time and $ towards education, but at some point if the cuts continue i will have to ask where the hell are our increased taxes going?

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

I've never heard of a cooking fee.

This is what we have so far:

PTA dues(optional)
G&T PTA dues (optional)
Field trip (~$10)
Class gift money ($10?)
Brownies (forgot how much, I think $45)
Picture Day (~$50, lowest package)
Our 5th grade trip is about $250 per person (so chaperones pay too!).


What I'm not participating in:
-Scholastics Books (while I love the program, I told them they have to read every book they bought for the first 2 years in school before I'll buy any more).
-Wrapping paper fundraiser (unless there is something I really want to buy)
-Nuts & Chocolate fundraiser.


We got to as many school functions as possible but I hate the fundraiser portion of it & I generally won't do it. I'll do things like solicit companies for old computers for the PTA to sell, help organize whatever needs to be organized.

It does get crazy. Once every kid is in school, you're multiplying that number.
My suggestion to you is spend within your budget. There are many ways to participate that count more than handing over a check. Definitely go that route.

Message edited 10/13/2011 12:59:41 PM.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Thanks ladies, at least I don't feel like that crazy cheapo mommy

Oh and I forgot, the school's big fundraiser dinner/dance at Crest Hallow $60 PER person!!! WTH? I'm helping collect donations for something I likely can't afford to attend. It suucks

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

It's definitely the norm! We actually got the wrapping paper fundraiser information at orientation! School hadn't even started yet, but the fundraisers certainly had!

Scholastic I do buy from most months, just because there is always a $1 or $2 book and this time of the year I am always looking for small stocking-stuff type gifts.

Since then we have had the KidsStuff coupon book, spaghetti dinner, fashion show ($50 a person), $5 for Halloween party, school pictures, etc.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

I have to agree---it is definitely out of hand.

So far we have gotten:

2 scholastic book order forms and we ordered once

1 fundraiser and we ordered as well as some family members

PTA dues $6 each so $12 for DH & I

PTA guess how much the pumpkins weighs (optional) $1 per guess we did 5 guesses

PTA sponsored pumpkin patch (optional) we are not doing it

Picture day next week

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Yes. It's normal.

You are NOT obligated to order from every fundraiser nor are you obligated to send in money for every book order.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Unfortunately it is the norm....and I have 4 kids in school!!!! DH and I often say if we didn't have kids we'd be rich!!!!

Message edited 10/13/2011 2:26:47 PM.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

That's normal IMO.

So far we've had:

Schools pictures, lowest package @ $44 (x3)
Class dues, $10 (x3)
PTA Membership- $12
Two schools fundraisers (I don't even bother with those)
Scholastic orders (x3)
Book fair preorders

Some are optional, I usually only send them in with a few bucks each for the book fair, and I only order from Scholastic if there is a really cool book, otherwise I skip it. Half of the fundraisers are junk that no one in my family would buy so I skip them.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Very normal. I always thought the fundraisers at my kids school would be never ending, but this year, there is nothing being sold by the kids (no wrapping paper, no candies, etc.). They are only having a dinner dance and there are tons of donated items to bid on. But each week I shell out money for school pics, class trips, bake sales, plant sales, donations for teacher gifts, etc.

But I have to ask, what is the cooking fee?

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Wow that seems excessive, granted I am in CO not NY.

We've had picture day. (optional)
Just had book fair. (optional)
One scholastic so far (optional)

Field trip...cost $3.75
PTO, I'm on the board, we don't charge dues.

We had a check writing campaign for the PTO but again, totally optional. As was ordering school shirts.

I don't feel like I got anything home where I had to send the money in or my kid would be an outsider, KWIM.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

The cooking fee is for something the teacher and SLP decided to do. They have a Friday cooking segment to encourage practical conversation with the kids. I think it's a lovely idea but $25 per person 2X a year is IMO a bit excessive. How much are they really buying??

Their first cooking lesson was a sliced apple with dipping sauces...caramel, yogurt, and spreadable cheese

The second one was Ships in the sea...they used blue jello, taco shells, cheese whiz, cream cheese, American cheese, pretzel rods, and ice

There's no choice here. I'm not going to let my kid be the one who doesn't participate kwim

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

ITA!

We've now gotten our second Scholastic order form. The first one, I ordered $40!

Field trip just sent in $16

Fall Festival pre-pay $10

PTA: $12

We've now been given 6, count 'em 6 fundraisers already!! I do understand that they need to do them in the beginning of the year so they have money to use during the year, but my goodness already!!!

Daisies: $92!!

I don't even remember what else, but that does not count religion, gymnastics, swimming or baton!

It's a good thing my house came with a money tree in the backyard!

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Posted by pharmcat2000

It's a good thing my house came with a money tree in the backyard!

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

It's nuts isnt it? I call it the nickel and diming of elementary school.

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Posted by Lucky

Posted by pharmcat2000

It's a good thing my house came with a money tree in the backyard!

I'll be right over!

Re: Is this the norm?? ( K mommy here)

Unfortunatly it is totally normal, but excessive... We are in NYC schools and so far have gotten the following:

Class fees = $35
PTA dues - $25
Donation for Halloween festival
Denim Day (breast cancer support) - $5
Field Trip - $7.50
Coupon Book $25
Wrapping Paper fundraiser
School shirts to raise $ for the music program - $10
Scolastics Books

Each week it is something new.... In DDs school they have a Real Heros program where they get credit for donating to causes and other good deeds, so I feel like I need to give to alot of these things to keep her on par with everyone else....