Fundraising practices in our schools have got to change. For years our family has been beset by modern fundraising practices that turned our children into panhandlers. Our children are encouraged to go door to door soliciting people to buy overpriced cookie dough, magazines, coupon books, and a host of other products all under the auspice of the “Helping our schools”. When asked what the goal is, often we are simply told what the reward for the child or the class will be, not about the point of the fundraising.
Our children are instructed to be charitable by bringing in pennies or cans of food, but they take away the lesson that “our class is behind so I need more”. We have taught our kids to “just say no” and turn away from peer pressure, but then turn around and have assemblies and giveaways for the class that “sells” the most widgets. The problem is compounded by the fact that children rarely have the financial means to address the current project. Commercial interests are entering our schools under the auspice of charity, but do so at a price. The school leadership explains to us that these things need to take place to make up for deficiencies in the budget, but what is the goal?
The argument isn’t over whether the school is managing their resources appropriately, but instead is whether we should turn our children into beggars roaming the streets selling overpriced butterbraids. Recently our child was given an “award” in the form of a coupon for a local retailer, but can the child redeem that “award” for the stated prize without assistance? No! Instead the family often goes and spends money that was not intended; at a place they had no intention of going, simply because a child was given an “award”. When this is brought to the school administration we are told that XYZ company is a big “supporter” of our school. If this is the case why don’t they just donate cash? Instead the school is given a percentage of what is spent. At best the “supporting” organizations only take a 50% cut, but often it is as much as 85%. This means that 15 cents of every dollar spent does NOT support your school.
One of the hardest decisions parents must make in regards to their child’s education is the decision to either speak up or remain silent when school practices or policies conflict with what the parent feels is in the best interest of their child. Out of fear that relationships with teachers and building administrators may be damaged by perceived offense, many parents choose to compensate for the problem at home. I ask that we speak out together reducing the inevitable alienation that is felt in speaking out alone. We are not asking that people abandon contributions to our schools, but instead ask that marketing is targeted at the parents, that classroom competitions be done away with, and where possible 100% of donations go to the school. This allows those families that are less able to contribute to not feel ostracized when they can’t contribute, while still allowing those that find value in the current paradigm to continue to do so.
I ask that you contact your building administration and ask that these practices change. I would also encourage you to contact me (kent@kentclawson.com) if you have other views or ideas and so that we can each know that we are not alone in this perspective.
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