School Fundraisers...
By twoey68
@twoey68 (13627)
United States
December 27, 2009 1:51pm CST
I’m doing some research on school fundraisers and I want to know what other ppl think of them.
Fundraisers used to be things that children would do with the school to raise money for extra things for the school like band uniforms, new uniforms for the football team, things like that. These days the fundraisers are done to earn money for things like trips to the Bahamas, trips to Disneyland, even trips to other countries. These fundraisers cut into the teachers teaching time, takes away classroom time for the children going on the trips and put parents on the spot to help peddle the fundraiser stuff to satisfy the their children. Also it makes the parents responsible for the money that their child collects should it become lost or stolen. Another aspect is that the children that don’t earn enough are left behind at school while the rest of their classmates get to go on trips.
Although I don’t have kids when we were foster parents I refused to let the kids do any fundraising. I think school should be more about learning and less about taking trips. I also wonder how parents who have had a child come up missing during one of these trips feels.
So, tell me your thoughts on school fundraisers? Love ‘em, hate ‘em? Do you forbid your child to participate? Do you buy from them when the children come to the door? Would you let your child go on a trip that went to another state or country? What’s the worst fundraiser you’ve seen?
[b]**AT PEACE WITHIN**
~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~[/b]
8 people like this
29 responses
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
27 Dec 09
I do do not mind fundraisers but they should not be put on the parent's shoulders. It should be something that is age appropriate and that the student can handle, with some minor guidance. I do not like it when the fundraiser becomes the parent's responsibility.
If my child does not raise enough and is left behind, they will not die and they will learn that sometimes you don't always get what you want, not a bad thing to learn.
2 people like this
@carpenter5 (6782)
• United States
27 Dec 09
My kids always participated. I was always very active in the Parent-Teachers Association and saw the benefits of what selling could do. One of the things that we've found that works the best is Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Especially if you have to drive an hour or more to get them. We always tried to do fundraisers that had the least amount of student contact with the general public. Many times, the kids would take orders, and then the things would be at school and we would ask those who purchased to come pick them up. Or if it was family that was out of town, then the parents come in and pay for it all and pick it up. This kept kids from handling money, and cut down on loss/stolen items.
Schools here still do fundraising for camps, uniforms etc. Our kids don't take trips to Disneyland. The 6th graders go to space camp, but this is teacher endorsed, and incorporated into their lessons.
I do purchase most things that I'm asked to. I rarely have kids come door to door, because our school district prohibits it. I buy them from the kids at church, nieces and nephews and kids of friends.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169448)
• United States
27 Dec 09
The worst fundraisers are the ones that sell cheap junk for a high price that no one needs anyway.Or unhealthy food items. We had a lot of fundraisers for church activities that I appreciated, because they consisted of a service,more than just junk. Yes, I let my kids go to Mexico, and to Hungary, and to Washington DC and all over the United States, more with church but some with school. On the junk ones, where the kids had a goal of a prize, I told them it would just be easier for me to buy the prize or for them to save their allowances.Our fundraisers were and are still mostly for school supplies. The community children's choir is a little out there, because they do really big trips to perform, and are pretty exclusive and take away from class time sometimes to travel and practice. Best fundraisers are snack bars, concession stands and dinners that families can go to because they teach the participants to work, and the socialization at the meal is good.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25781)
• Canada
28 Dec 09
our school has a spring carnival which is a great carnival and a fun time for the kids.
this fall our daughters school had a fund raiser which were coupons to different places to eat (which is ok for those who have money) but since my hubby lost his job in August, we just dont have a lot so that wasnt a very good one.
1 person likes this
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
29 Dec 09
Like the entertainment book? Yeah those are nice IF you have the money to spend in the first place on going. Most we can't afford even w/ the coupon.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
29 Dec 09
disneyland!?
man..we were lucky if we got a local field trip..
no,i would not let my kid go out of state.not happening.i don't know those people.
worst fundraiser..um..probably the one they're trying right now,getting the kids to guilt for a new school.it's not in the budget,my state is already breaking under the economy,and they want to put forward a plan for another new school-and they just built one that hasn't been paid off yet.
no,i would not let my kid go out of state.not happening.i don't know those people.
worst fundraiser..um..probably the one they're trying right now,getting the kids to guilt for a new school.it's not in the budget,my state is already breaking under the economy,and they want to put forward a plan for another new school-and they just built one that hasn't been paid off yet.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
30 Dec 09
oh yea.the school budget here is already out of control.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
29 Dec 09
A new school? Egads going to Disneyland would be cheaper! Besides if they get the new school even w/ fund raising you'll still have to pay higher taxes to pay for the staff. **shaking head** sounds like a loose loose situation to me!
1 person likes this
@ramos7881 (344)
• United States
27 Dec 09
I too feel like the school fundraisers are a waste of time. I feel that the school needs to stick with teaching our kids the core curriculum. I do think that music, art, and PE are necessary subjects as well. I am not a big fan of using school hours to promote fundraisers and get the kids' hopes up for prizes for whomever sells the most, just so I can be "the mean one" and tell my kids that they aren't going to participate in the fundraiser. I have four kids, so that means I would have to buy 4 things - $40 minimum each time there is a fundraiser.
1 person likes this
@uath13 (8192)
• United States
27 Dec 09
Ohhh how I hate them! They take time out of classes. Then they want us to escort our kids around to everyone we know trying to sell junk they could easily get at Walmart for 1/10th the price. Then we have to have all the money collected & turned in by a certain date & they never seem to get the orders right. All so my kid could go to an amusement park or some such. IF I WANTED HER TO GO TO AN AMUSEMENT PARK I'D TAKE HER MYSELF! My oldest daughter just went to a convention in Pigeon Forge ( expensive resort type area ) with her "virtual enterprise" class. How silly is that? They're selling non existent made up stuff for non existent money...& they need an expensive convention for this? Yet they want us to help on a fundraiser for it!!!!! & my last vacation was what...19 years ago!
Yet they want us to help on a fundraiser for it!!!!! & my last vacation was what...19 years ago!1 person likes this
@slickcut (8140)
• United States
4 Jan 10
I remember my kids bringing home those candy bars to sell for a fund raiser..That little fund raiser ended up costing Me money...I think the kids ended up eating all the candy bars and i ended up having to pay for them..After that i told my kids not to bring anymore things home to sell....I have to admit i have bought things from my grandkids because i was trying to help them...I am a softy when it comes to the grandkids..No i do not and would not like for my children to go to a another country..I would worry myself sick until they returned home....
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
28 Dec 09
Although I'm a sucker for children that are raising funds for schools and I buy everything they are selling, I don't agree with it. Schools should be concentrating on education, not sports or field trips that are outside the city. That should be up to the parents to provide. There is so much fiscal waste in education! I didn't let my sons do it because of safety concerns.
I feel that the education I got was very good--there were no field trips, sports were part of physical education and confined to the school grounds, no tournaments against other schools. Emphasis was on the three "R's" and the rest was left up to the parents.
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
28 Dec 09
A sucker you say? 
My oldest scout troop starts selling cookies soon.... I hope the weather is decent and not bitter cold as it often is in January.
My oldest scout troop starts selling cookies soon.... I hope the weather is decent and not bitter cold as it often is in January.
@celticeagle (189820)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Dec 09
I have raised one child, one grandchild and am helping to raise another. I find that every year the fundraising become more and more junky. Junk food such as cookies or cheese cake. I don't like this. It is tempting and i understand the thinking. I think school should be more about learning also. How about the talent show that was used in the new Alvin and the Chipmunks movie? The winning school would win $25,000 (or was it $10?) for their school. I think this is a much better thing. I don't usually buy from them. Infact that is another gripe I have. They never let you know ahead of time so you get this manilla envelope (if that) and there is all the info and the ending date. They just expect you to help and not upfront information ahead of time. I have a problem with that. I usually don't have extra money at the times when these come home so even if I wanted to participate I couldn't. It is a little embarrasing and getting very old. I think they should find some other way to do it or not do it at all! I wouldn't let my child go on a trip unless I went.
@scififan43 (2434)
• United States
29 Dec 09
I have not had to deal with to many of them. I do feel that they can be a bit too much if it the thing was for a trip out of town. I am not sure if I would want my child to go out of town unless if was under very strict supervision. as for me I can't contubuite a lot to this things either, most of my fainancel are tyed up ealsewhere.
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
29 Dec 09
Hi Twoey
If the fundraisers are things needed "for" the school, fine. But for pleasure trips, in this economy, no way. It just is not conducive to most people's budgets these days. And the schools are in need of things more important than fun trips or even educational expensive trips away.
Karen
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
30 Dec 09
My daughter's school actually doesn't do a lot of fundraising and that suits me just fine. I do, however, let her participate in them when the school has them. The reason that I am not entirely opposed to fundraisers is because of the fact that I believe the lessons that children learn from participating in fundraisers are valuable lessons. The biggest one that she has participated in to date was Girl Scout Cookies last year.
@spicysweetie21 (2572)
• United States
28 Dec 09
Well I do not have kids, but it has not really been that long since I myself was a kid lol....and I remember when we had a Hallowen Fair in elementary school one year it was to give to UNICEF, I do think that it is wrong to just have fundraisers for superficial things that directly benefit the kids and the teachers, that is not teaching them the true meaning of charity.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
28 Dec 09
I don't like them in that they take the student away from important learning time in the classroom. I like them in that they teach the student some important finance things, how to manage accounts and the like. I buy from the student when it is for band uniforms and stuff like that but not for trips, for the reasons that you listed.
@enola1692 (3323)
• United States
28 Dec 09
My problem with the fondraisers is I have 2of my daughters in school an 6 nephews in about the same grade an when the foundraises came around I would have 8 kids going come on why not why not an a few times I had to replace something so if the school needs money I will send what i can an no my girls dont wlk around the neighborhood trying to sell whatever it is the school is selling this week I am not kidding its like they are selling something different every couple a weeks
@3SnuggleBunnies (16374)
• United States
28 Dec 09
I am so-so about fundraisers. They usually don't do them in grade school for any long distance trips. But they do help pay for and subsidize field trips, free family fun nights, equipment for the school ect.
I did do them for the school up until the other year when I decided not to. I did a spring fund raiser of gourmet popcorn and plants. Well for some reason the lady in charge always had just enough "extra" as my orders were shorted both times! I said forget it! Plus the plans were terriable of people we spoke with regularly nothing turned out from the bulbs or basket kits they bought. 
Wich to me makes the school look bad as well as fundraising all togeather.
They also have a Santa's Secret shop for the kids to shop at. Last year was the last year for them to do that as well. My oldest wanted to get me a new necklace she bought when she was in 4k. Well I sent them w/ $10 ea & the necklace was $7! Reasonable for someone who can fork more than $10 for each kid. Everyone else would of just gotten rubber spiders for their gift. We opted to go to the dollar store where they'd be able to get 1-2 things for everyone!
Then last year when my oldest joined Girl Scouts we did their fund raisers. And we will do them again. The money benefits their troop to help pay for their field trips, craft projects, and community service projects. There's only 30 girls between all 4 levels currently in the troop. Whereas the school has over 200 kids to fundraise for them.
Wich to me makes the school look bad as well as fundraising all togeather.
They also have a Santa's Secret shop for the kids to shop at. Last year was the last year for them to do that as well. My oldest wanted to get me a new necklace she bought when she was in 4k. Well I sent them w/ $10 ea & the necklace was $7! Reasonable for someone who can fork more than $10 for each kid. Everyone else would of just gotten rubber spiders for their gift. We opted to go to the dollar store where they'd be able to get 1-2 things for everyone!
Then last year when my oldest joined Girl Scouts we did their fund raisers. And we will do them again. The money benefits their troop to help pay for their field trips, craft projects, and community service projects. There's only 30 girls between all 4 levels currently in the troop. Whereas the school has over 200 kids to fundraise for them. @ladymetal80 (191)
• United States
28 Dec 09
I hate fundraisers. I didn't let my child participate for a long time, and this year, I decided to let him choose for himself. He said he wanted to do it, and earned alot of money. When it came time for the stuff to come home, he decided to give everything that had been ordered, out to his friends on the bus! The school took almost a month to get the stuff in, then I had to figure out where all of it went. And all this agrrivation, come to find out, was so they could have a pizza party for the class that sold the most. NEVER AGAIN!!! I think they are stupid and a waist of our and our child's time and money.
