Kids refuse to raise money by selling candies (Page 2)

Yes, I believe most kids do think it is worthwhile show appreciation to their teachers!  For our PTA, just 3% of the expense budget is allocated to Teacher Appreciation.  My children participated in a couple of the recognition activities and were thrilled to be able to show their teachers that they were appreciated.  For one, we used some of the budgeted money to buy food, which we prepared and served to the teachers at a luncheon.  Some of the kids (including mine) helped prepare and serve the food. 

However, teacher recognition is only a small portion of the budget.  The majority of our budget goes towards items for the classrooms and enrichment programs.

One more note...the PTA is open to everyone!  We always ask people for feedback, ideas, suggestion, etc.  I found that most people love to complain but hate to help!

My question to you was - do you think if someone is poor, they should be denied the same opportunities?  I was asking your opinion.  I know that in the majority of situations, people who have more money get more opportunities - and I am not scratching my head over that - it is a fact.  If you are wealthy you get advantages regardless of whether you deserve them or not.  My opinion is that sometimes people can use a little assistance in an effort to move forward and I don't think there is anything wrong with that.  I am guessing that you strongly disagree and that you probably have never needed help from anyone.

And no, I don't believe that a child of an illegal immigrant family should get a free ride to an elite private school.

Wow, talk about non sequiturs of the highest order.  And I'm not just referring to this response.  I'm pre-coffee this morning, so I'm going to get into it, but nothing posted so far provides any evidence to support the assertion that all poor people are "losers".  Of course some are, as are some middle class and some rich folks.  For every "well you can afford blah blah blah" you have people who DO have a job, who ARE struggling to get by, having to choose which medicine to buy this week, what kind of food to buy.

I have no idea why I'm wasting my time.

Because everybody who's poor fits into one of those categories.

What a bunch of ridiculous drivel.

No really, that's ok.  I've heard more than enough from you.

It's honestly not even worth it anymore.  Enjoy living in your own little world.

what's the problem here?

I cut my job from full time to part time so I could stay with my kids more.   But I"m able to keep my benefits, etc.

I make more than my husband per hour.   But it evens out with his overtime and dive time and whatever, but....   we get by and we're fine.    the important thing is I'm there for my kids when they need it. 

IT depends on the handicapped... there are plenty of folks out there able to make a decent living and not sit on their *** collecting SSDI just 'cause they can, and I know quite a few who do just that.  

That's terrific - and very rare - to have a husband and a wife involved in PTO/PTA!  It's great that you are willing to be involved!  I don't understand why people don't want to be involved in the PTA.  It's an opportunity to learn from the guest speakers who attend the meetings, an opportunity to improve the level of education that your child is receiving by raising funds for materials, enrichment programs, etc. and an oppotunity to work with the teachers and other schools staff.  Win-win-win!  And the amount of time you put into it is totally up to you.  It can be as little as 1 hour a month or people can even just work on one fundraiser a year. 

I know I am preaching to the choir here since you already participate.  Just had to vent!  I am just a bit fed up with people complaining  about education but not taking any responsibility in solving the problems - not to mention other societial issues.  There are so many people who only care about #1 and don't look at the big picture.  If everyone picked one thing to help with in the schools and one volunteer activity or cause outside of the schools (like a food drive, blood drive, or even just donating to a cause that you care about) - can you imagine what we could get done?  Nope!  Most people would rather sit back, point fingers and make sarcastic comments about how crappy things are.  Very sad.

So what are you doing to encourage him to learn more about Alexandar the Great?

Cool.

I know that reading ( up through about HS ) taught me as much or more than I learned in school.  IMHO the best thing that any parent can do is instill at an early age a love for reading.

-Chris

Ah, here is something we agree on!!!  It's a shame that more parents don't take an interest in what their children are learning (or not learning for that matter).  I actually enjoy trying to find fun ways of applying at home what my chidren are learning in school.  We read books, do experiments, field trips, research on the Internet - even cooking together can be a way to work on math and science in a fun way.  My daughter is learning about money right now and she set up a "book store" in the front room and the rest of the family went "shopping" so she could work on making change.  In some cases, I think I am learning more then they are!  I am sure your son really appreciates the interest you are taking and the time you are spending with him - way to go Dad!