How Much Is Public School Really Costing Us As Parents?
By BinKsBaBy
@BinKsBaBy (505)
United States
October 11, 2007 5:39pm CST
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.
3 people like this
4 responses
@cupoftea (714)
• United States
11 Oct 07
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.
3 people like this
@BinKsBaBy (505)
• United States
11 Oct 07
Oh I know we already had school pictures, I was just naming just fees that are for her class/teacher. Of course there is more like pictures, book orders, feild trips ect. But I dont get how we had to supply our kid with markers crayons scissors,glue and still needed to pay 25.00 for un named supplys. My daughter started kindergarden at a different school in the district and because of over enrollment ogt moved to this one. the other school had a more active PTA and so we didn't have all these classroom fees. CRAZY! Thankfully next year she will be able to return to the other school.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
12 Oct 07
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.
2 people like this
@BinKsBaBy (505)
• United States
12 Oct 07
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!
1 person likes this
@crazed_moma (1054)
• United States
12 Oct 07
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.
1 person likes this
@sures77 (44)
• India
12 Oct 07
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.
1 person likes this
@BinKsBaBy (505)
• United States
13 Oct 07
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!
