My duaghter just started Kindergarden this year and I have been broke by all these surprise fee's that have came about after the school year started. First we had the 9.00 PTA membership fee (which was optional but if all parents in her class joined they get a ice cream party and the teacher listed all the kids who have joined on a chart on the classroom door) Then there was a 15.00 fee for 1 book then 6.00 for flashcards ( made my own) then it was the 25.00 classroom donation (which was not specific on what it was for) then now its the 10.00 party donation. Thats just for her class! So besides all the supplys and clothes we bought to get ready for the school year all of this was a shock! that is a whopping 65.00 that was never mentioned until after school started. Is anyone else experiencing the same thing? Please I want to know.
[question posted by BinKsBaBy]
responses and comments:
That's nothing just wait there's pictures, field trips, and all extras like girl scouts. 2 of my three girls are in high school and one in 1st grade. my seinor has so many things I have to pay for. Seinor pictures,class ring, band class,business class and compitition, prom, seinor dues, and now today I find out that nowdays you have to pay for your cap and gown for graduation. It's nuts. [cupoftea]
U can also rent your cap and gown. [BinKsBaBy]
The only fees that I have paid are for the stationary supplies and school bag i opted to buy for my son, paid $20 for 2x membership fees for me and my husband and thats about it. The rest have been through fundraising events that the PTA and school does together which we have participated in as well. So in all fees have been minimal for us so far in Virginia. [maddysmommy]
see thats how it was at the first school, but she got moved to this one and the reason for such high fees is because they dont have a very active PTA, and sence they dont have many PTA fundraisers the fees are past on to us. =( I plan on doing all that I can to change this, but I am happy that she will be back at the other school next year! [BinKsBaBy]
Why would you have to pay to join the PTA? Most of the time they complain because there isn't enough participation;I don't see how charging parents a fee is going to help. What the heck is a class room donation ? I wouldn't get suckered in to all of this stuff, somebody should be offering up an explaination. [pismeof]
This was all thrown at me really quickly due to the fact that my daughter got moved to this school after the year started. I do plan on getting some answers tomarrow when I go to my parent teacher confrence. Ill keep you all informed. [BinKsBaBy]
The public schools are cheating the public.Why the public does not protest? It is better not to put the kids in such expensive schools-it is more of show off & less of teaching. This is my experience. These schools make kids more dreamy , unrealistic & high flying. [sures77]
I do argree with you in general, however this school is not the best in the district and the area is mainly made up of familys living check to check or worst off then that so as far as dreamy not so much, its more like no funds are there for the school and then they are passing it on to the parents who are barly making it as it is. I am lucky for the fact that I only have 1 child in school I dont know how those with more then 1 do it! [BinKsBaBy]
lol just wait! We had a $30 supply fee (per kindergartener and I have 2) The class made a scarecrow for their School carnival to auction off and I donated $5 (optional but I felt obligated) NOW they want $5- $10 for they party fund (I'm just going to split the difference and send $15) or you can just send stuff in for all three parties of the year. Add on to that School Supplies for the older three, spent well over $50, new backpacks times 5, another $50. Activity fees for my boys, $15 each, Lock for middle schoolers PE locker, $5, Gym clothes, $10, Student card, $10..... Oh and I had to contribute to my 2 boys' class scarecrow as well and then going to the carnival, only purchased $20 worth of tickets but it has all added up. I think I'll be broke all year. [crazed_moma]
I do understand, and for the older grades its a bit more expected do to the fact that theres a bit more needed there, like PE clothes and locks. But this teacher got me all at once as soon as my daughter was transfered not to mention with the book order form and school pictures too. I did feel obligated to pay to join the PTA because every kid whos parent joined got their name added to the big ice cream cone ( that was basically a list of whos parents have NOT joined) and if 100% of the class has PTA membership they get a pizza and ice cream party! Well my daughter was transfered about 1 month into the year so I didnt want to start her out being the 1 who cost them the party. [BinKsBaBy]