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DToney
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Posted: Oct 6th, 2006 02:44 am |
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| I have sent E-mails to each of the school board members including grier... to no avail. I did not get the first reply! At least they heard my opionion - for what it was worth....
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Thomas Edison
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 6th, 2006 02:53 am |
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| That is a real hotbed of controversy. Try writing about something specific that you think needs addressing.. say the stuff at Stokesdale about holidays. I was told the teachers were told not to wear red/green. This is just hearsay, so I don't really know... or pick the money being transferred to Dudley without any prior/public disclosure or discussion.. .you get the idea!
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DToney
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Posted: Oct 6th, 2006 03:01 am |
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| my topic was school buildings... in particular our "trailer park" at NWHS & how badly overcrowded we are... my "soapbox"
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Thomas Edison
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 6th, 2006 12:07 pm |
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DToney,
sorry I misread your line about school board and Terry Grier.. I thought you said you wrote TO the school board ABOUT Terry Grier... my mistake
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DToney
Member
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Posted: Oct 7th, 2006 12:42 am |
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Cracker Jax wrote:
Just noticed in the new NWO that Northern Middle will NOT be opening as scheduled. 
Surprise Surprise.
Looks like GCS needs to hire a new Engineer! 3 with structure problems & always behind on schedule.... 
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Thomas Edison
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melinnc
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 03:46 pm |
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I agree with Cracker. I believe that kids should be able to come home from school and play outside like in the "old days," instead of spending hours doing homework. Unfortunately that hasn't been my three daughters' reality since moving to this area four years ago. I realize many kids spend their free time after school in front of the T.V., playing video games, etc., but banning candy as rewards in the classroom seems a bit ridiculous to me.
Two of my daughters spent four school years at Stokesdale Elementary. Overall, it was a wonderful elementary school experience for them. One of the main reasons was the "country school" feel of Stokesdale. It was a school where holidays were celebrated and children made holiday-inspired crafts, sang songs, etc. In the hallways you could always see students' artwork depicting other countries' and cultures' beliefs and customs, as well as the "traditional" which is now deemed to be offensive to some. I find the news of the principal's new "policy" very sad.
My daughters are now at the middle school and did not participate in the recent fundraiser. Yesterday, those who sold a minimum number of items were allowed to join the "mega party." My children had to attend their regular elective classes during the "party." They accepted this, as they understood the reasons they were not allowed to participate in the fundraiser. I don't believe they are permanently scarred as a result.
Just weighing in on these topics...
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 05:42 pm |
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As president of the PTSA at the middle school I would like to know how you would suggest that we raise money for the running of the PTSA. I realize that you didn't complain about the magazine sale, but you obviously choose not to participate. I am not being tacky, and not trying to give you a hard time.I realize that many do not participate in fundraising, but it is one of those necessary evils to assist with our schools needs and to run the programs that I feel benefit our children. For instance to give the students their planners and one for each teacher it costs almost $6000.00 Planners seem essential in keeping our students organzied, and as far as I know the PTSA has provided those for many years. Do you think this is beneficial or something we should quit doing? We fund cultrual arts, Red Ribbon Week, Kids Voting, Hospitality, Beautification, newsletter, etc and the largest expense is mini-grants. We help our neediest kids with supplies and needed books. Last year we provided over 500 books, meal worms, purchased the new picnic tables, digital cameras, instruments for chorus etc. I really am interested in hearing if you think these are worth the hassle of fundraising- do they benefit our children and school? If you feel like they are worthwhile how do we either communicate the effectiveness of the programs or get more people to participate in fundraising or donating to the PTSA? I am always open to new ideas and two way communication that will help our children.
In a perfect world the county,state, federal governments would do all this..
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DToney
Member
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 06:01 pm |
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at our previous school... the use of the planners was very different. Here, students are not utilizing them because they are not used in the way they were there. When a student needed a bathroom break, it was noted in the planner. When a student was absent, the parent note was in the planner & each teacher signed off on it. When there was a homework assignment, quiz or test, it was noted in the planner & the students were told to put their grade beside it. That way when they were curious about their average, it was a matter of simple math. Also, if a test grade was "lost" by the teacher, the teacher's initials made it more "official" to look back at the planner & determine what the missing grade was. They also were customized to include the school rules & policies & the academic calendar for the year. Because of the planners being under utilized, I do not see the need in going through great pains to provide them.
As for fund raisers in general, there were many in which I did not let my children participate. I know that sounds harsh, but the reality is, I did not want my child to be trained in the art of salesmanship. There are other ways in which to raise funds. Corporate sponsorship has proven to be a more lucrative source than wrapping paper (which in all reality is not a good deal for the purchaser when you can get $1 rolls at the dollar tree!) or other items. Some fund raisers are good deals. Everyone likes the chocolates & the magazines. But... be honest.... many of these items are overpriced and not of good value. There is also a safety issue going door-to-door as well as issues with employers when parents bring these catalogs to work.
I realize that the job of upkeeping our "free public schools" should come from our government that entitles our children to such. The reality is that governments, especially Guilford County, have other priorities.... some of which really tick me off! We as parents, and community memebers should see to it that our government officials prioritize education as a means of bettering our communities and providing us with better future leaders. That is not going to happen overnight. Guilford County appears to be stuck in a rut with the funding of our school system. It appears to be 20 years behind in funding school buildings. The predictament we are in, it will take mega-bucks to get us where we need to be & I do not see our leaders as being willing to go there. They'd rather dump more money into the pre-college programs when they should be worried about getting back to basics first.... what good are college programs in high school if some children cannot pass the high school exit exam?
Enough of my soap box for now.... this is one of my hot topics...
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Thomas Edison
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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 08:41 pm |
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melinnc wrote: I agree with Cracker.
Welcome to the forum Melinnc!!!!!!
I like you already!!!! 
You make some very good points about the fundraisers (which I will be brave enough to say that I despise ), However, I LOVE the programs and materials that are purchased with PTSA funds so I also see DMauser's point about the need to raise funds and needing an incentive for parents to get out and sell to reach the goals. I'm not sure I would participate in the selling of most of these products if it weren't for the "being excluded from the mega-party issue", so I guess it's a necessary evil.
Since we've been discussing exclusion from parties on the Stokesdale Party forum, I can't think of anything that makes a child feel more excluded than missing a school mega party and KNOWING that they are missing it because their parents didn't want to sell wrapping paper. Just breaks my heart.
I don't know the answer. Maybe folks are just tired of selling the same old things.... I don't even know what's available as a fundraiser that you can get enough of a percentage of the sales to compete with wrapping paper and magazines though.
BTW.... I always loved the "ART BY ME" fundraisers in the lower schools. I know Stokesdale did it recently but SF and Laughlin quit doing it years ago. Bring it back!!!!!
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 08:45 pm |
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Interesting about the planners-- I will pass on those uses! The rules and basic calendar (important dates) are in the planner. I know because I had to type them. Also, the students are suppose to get them signed to go out of the classroom, however many teachers are not good at that. All assignments are suppose to be put in the planner.
Putting the grades in is interesting. Seems like it could be more time consuming for teachers, but I can see the benefit to parents.
Corporate sponsorship is hard to get at our school. The large businesses like to support our highly impacted schools and not those in our area.
Thanks for the additional thoughts! All good ones!
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dmauser
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 08:48 pm |
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| Art by Me is always a big hit, but as a fundraiser it is only medicore. Summerfield had a history of doing it every other year. Many art teachers run this for art supplies, why dont' you ask the new art teacher if she is interested in doing that.
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Cracker Jax
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 09:17 pm |
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I can certainly imagine that the Art By Me wouldn't bring in the funds that the other fundraisers do, but I think folks would rather buy stuff than sell it.
Again, I don't know what fundraisers are available out there, but I loved buying the Art by Me stuff and I'll always buy spiritwear and such, so maybe several lower grossing projects in addition to the larger ones might help. I don't know.
I'll definitely ask the Art Teacher. One of my kids never did get to do it. 
My fridge is full of the art magnets from my Stokesdale and Oak Ridge friends though!!!
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DToney
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Posted: Oct 14th, 2006 09:44 pm |
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| I realize that Bi-Lo is kinda "dead and gone" but what about Lowe's Foods or some of the other grocery stores that offer "points" ? Would they be willing to do like Bi-Lo did & attribute points to the school? Just a thought.......
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I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work. - Thomas Edison
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melinnc
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Posted: Oct 15th, 2006 12:38 am |
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Cracker Jax wrote: I can't think of anything that makes a child feel more excluded than missing a school mega party and KNOWING that they are missing it because their parents didn't want to sell wrapping paper. Just breaks my heart.
My husband and I decided not to allow our daughters to participate in this particular fundraising event due to a variety of factors. A main one being the fact that some kids who don't sell as many as others might feel badly about themselves, as they don't get rewarded with the party, Hummer limo ride, etc. Our girls understood our decision, as they know we've certainly sold our share of magazine subscriptions, gift wrap, etc., over the course of the 12 years we have had children in public school. Unfortunately, I don't have answers as regards what other options public schools have to raise needed funds. One fundraiser that seemed to work well at our old school was silent auction.
On another subject, I want to stress how much I appreciate the PTA/PTSA officers/chairpersons and all they do for our students. I certainly mean no disrespect to these volunteers, as I've been involved in these organizations for many years. I only made the point about my kids being "excluded" from the party to make a comparison to those children who are "excluded" from holiday school parties.
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Steve Adkins
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Posted: Oct 15th, 2006 12:51 am |
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Cracker Jax wrote: Maybe folks are just tired of selling the same old things.... I don't even know what's available as a fundraiser that you can get enough of a percentage of the sales to compete with wrapping paper and magazines though.
Question - back when my youngest was in grade school (yeah, the same youngest that is now a freshman at GC), and I was Pres of the Home & School Board (fancy name for PTA), we sold "Market Days" frozen food. Made a bundle of money.
It was good quality food, same as a Schwanns frozen food, we did it once a month, had to be well organized at it, but it kept the kids from having to sell stuff.
http://www.marketday.com/
Last edited on Oct 15th, 2006 01:01 am by Steve Adkins
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