Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Pep Rally falls victim to the budget crunch!

Mom, Can I have a dollar?

A few days ago on our way to school, my daughter asked me for a dollar.
"What for?", I asked.
"A Pep Rally!", she replied.
"What do you mean?"
"If we want to go to the Pep Rally on Friday, we have to pay a dollar."
Trying not to get too upset, I said "What is the Pep Rally for...and what if you don't pay?"
"To celebrate Spring sports and good citizenship....and if you don't pay, you have to go to the 'holding tank' and do school work."

So....I gave her the dollar.

Since then, I have been thinking about this quite a bit. What in the world....charging money for a Pep Rally...to celebrate sports and citizenship...in the middle of the school day....and then sending the students who don't pay to the 'holding tank' (whatever that is) to do school work.
I know that school systems have been hit hard by the budget cuts etc... but what is this money going to be used for anyway?
I would say it is fine to charge money for students to wear a silly hat or to suck on lollipops all day...if the money goes to a good cause that is, but a Pep Rally? Really?
We all know it is not good to get involved in your child's business in middle school....and up until now, I really have not, but yesterday....I made a phone call....and sent an email.
I am waiting for a reply.
Anyone else think this is just a bit much? Or maybe it is just me. I mean it is only one dollar.

7 comments:

  1. that's ridiculous! dying to hear what the reply is..keep us posted!

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  2. I am a teacher and my husband is a teacher and I think that is redonkulous!!!! We are in a budget crunch as well but seriously to charge students to to to a pep rally in the middle of the day...can't imagine. I hope you get a reply and can't wait to hear what it is! Thanks for visiting!

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  3. Unbelievable! It may only be a dollar...but I am feeling for the student who really wants to go to the pep rally (show some school spirit) and can't because they don't have a dollar. Charging for an event during school time...sounds crazy to me. Good for you for speaking up.

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  4. As a former teacher (elementary) I've never heard of such. Yes for those types of things mentioned (wear out of uniform outfit, hat, or eat outside for the day, etc) but never for a Pep Rally? What ever happened to bringing the entire school together? And I'm with you, what the heck is a "holding tank"? Sounds scary and no place I'd want my child to spend any time. Hopefully you'll get an answer and I'll be interested to read all about it.

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  5. I would have been a little upset about having to pay that, too.

    Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting my blog-I have enjoyed the new friends I have been "meeting" lately! And WOOHOO for baseball moms-I'm getting my groove, finally.

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  6. Glad you all agree. I'm still waiting for that reply. Hmmmmm.

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  7. Got a reply from the school secretary today. She wrote that the PTA was in charge and the money was used for the school's technology fund. This doesn't make me feel any better.

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