School-sponsored matchmaking for 7th graders, as a fundraiser???

[Magic Mom]

Well, now I think I've heard it all. I was reading through my 7th grade son's school newsletter, and it said something about a "Compatibility Fund Raiser coming in February." Puzzled, I asked my son about it.

He said that they took questionnaires at school, asking things like "Do you enjoy being alone, with friends, or in a large group?" and "Do you like being the center of attention, or are you more shy?" They will then be MATCHED UP with other 7th graders of the opposite sex, and they can BUY the results. $2 for one match, $3 for two, etc.

I am flabbergasted. Schools have sunk to junior high eHarmony to raise funds?!? Even better, they don't offer sex ed. So... here's your match, hope you know what not to do!

Am I just taking this the total wrong way? I do know I have new respect for homeschoolers who don't have to put up with this kind of crap....

MY son's high school did this last year. It wasn't just opposite sex, it was for friends too. They all took it as a joke. Ds's best "girlfriend" match was his best friend's real life girlfriend.

 

[xoprincessmomxo]

Sounds creepy for junior high kids. That's one fundraiser I know my DH wouldn't allow our DD to participate in. Now, maybe for HS, but even that is weird.

 

[Pigeon]

It's creepy and inappropriate. If it was high school seniors, it would be different, but it's just another example of pushing stuff down to younger kids that doesn't belong there.

 

[bebelle]

I do know I have new respect for homeschoolers who don't have to put up with this kind of crap....

Thank you!

 

[Gina]

Well, I appreciate and respect y'alls replies... But I remain unswayed. I just think it's pathetic for a public school to do something like this. It's not like I'm going to go protest in front of the school or anything, I just think the whole thing is inappropriate.

 

[Katy Belle]

I wouldn't want it for my 7th or even 8th grader. I agree...inappropriate. Lets not encourage the raging hormones!

We did this at my High School one year. I was a Freshman or Sophmore. It was great fun!! It gave us like our top 50 or something...from the whole High School. Very interesting and FUNNY.

Katy

 

[castleview]

I'd have trouble keeping quiet on this one.

 

[Philadisney]

I remember them doing this as a fundraiser in my high school. I didn't participate but I remember it caused a lot of jealousy problems - couples who did it and then got matched up with other people instead of each other, etc.

 

[ozarkmom]

Wow I remember my kids doing this in jr. high and I also remember them laughing about it. They didn't have to buy the results and it wasn't like they were "hooked up " with anyone. It was one big joke that brought in a little money.

 

[Rora]

We did this in High School and loved it!!

No one took it too seriously and it was meant to be fun, not so much a dating service.

However, middle school might be a bit young..

 

[a1tinkfans]

Well, now I think I've heard it all. I was reading through my 7th grade son's school newsletter, and it said something about a "Compatibility Fund Raiser coming in February." Puzzled, I asked my son about it.

He said that they took questionnaires at school, asking things like "Do you enjoy being alone, with friends, or in a large group?" and "Do you like being the center of attention, or are you more shy?" They will then be MATCHED UP with other 7th graders of the opposite sex, and they can BUY the results. $2 for one match, $3 for two, etc.

I am flabbergasted. Schools have sunk to junior high eHarmony to raise funds?!? Even better, they don't offer sex ed. So... here's your match, hope you know what not to do!

Am I just taking this the total wrong way? I do know I have new respect for homeschoolers who don't have to put up with this kind of crap....

I would be on the phone asking LOTS of questions and demanding Answers.
It is grossly inappropriate for them to "matchmake a child" and this is not about making friends, this is about exploiting kids to make a profit, whats next??? a discount for eharmony????
DISGUSTING, makes me sick on many levels!

 

[Ariel Mae]

I think we had a matchmaking fundraiser...but I believe it was in high school, or at least 8th grade....

 

[cristit14]

We had this also way back in the olden days. I was in either 8th or 9th. I don't think it is that big of a deal. We had a lot of fun with it.

 

[lajones81]

Well, now I think I've heard it all. I was reading through my 7th grade son's school newsletter, and it said something about a "Compatibility Fund Raiser coming in February." Puzzled, I asked my son about it.

He said that they took questionnaires at school, asking things like "Do you enjoy being alone, with friends, or in a large group?" and "Do you like being the center of attention, or are you more shy?" They will then be MATCHED UP with other 7th graders of the opposite sex, and they can BUY the results. $2 for one match, $3 for two, etc.

I am flabbergasted. Schools have sunk to junior high eHarmony to raise funds?!? Even better, they don't offer sex ed. So... here's your match, hope you know what not to do!

Am I just taking this the total wrong way? I do know I have new respect for homeschoolers who don't have to put up with this kind of crap....

I'm a teacher and think this is disgusting! I could even imagine have this "fundraiser" at my school (or any school for that matter). YUCK!

 

[Buckalew11]

My HS did this. I remember getting a list of people not just buying 1 or 2 names though.
I think middle school is too young for this kind of thing and I thought it was creepy even in HS. Our HS was so big that there were names on the lists that you'd never heard of before! LOL
I remember there were names of guys on my list that were in 2 categories: boys ya date and boys ya marry. The exciting boys were on the date category! haha We separated the names out in that way--not the list makers.

 

[cabanafrau]

I've never heard of this & my first thought is, there's a whole lot of room for this to go very wrong. Crossing my fingers that nothing does & it's just me who's very wrong.

 

[barkley]

there's quite a few people on another thread that have no issue with a 9 year old 4th grader going on a first date, so i guess it should'nt come as shocking to me that a school is doing a matchmaking fund raiser for 7th graders.

dating in 4th, matchmaking in 7th-just what does that infer the social expectations among kids are by the time they reach 9th grade, their junior year in highschool, senior year?

i'de be upset if the school handed out the questioneers without first notifying the parents so they could opt their kid out if they wanted.

gotta wonder-with the rampant paranoia most schools seem to have regarding student to student sexual harrassment why any teacher/administrator in their right mind would think this was a wise idea

 

[ZanneMarie]

High school-yes
middle school/Jr. high-no

 

[chisnpeke]

We did it when I was in high school. My friend was once so disgusted with her results she threw it out.