Would like opinions on school issue..

[krcit]

Just to be clear on what the money is for. It is for the next years graduating class to defray the cost of an overnight field trip, the yearbook, t-shirts,and a 'moving up' day at the local park where they get lunch and a DJ. I have no problem with the fundraising. I've done it for this year and my older dd and will do it for my ds when it is his turn. My problem is with this particular fundraiser. I just don't like it. I obviously won't buy a ticket and might be stuck in the second row I don't like that it wasn't discussed at all. Next years class has already started selling pretzels/ices after school which I purchase. They also have a raffle for a baseball game in the works and I will support that also.

 

[bettymae1121]

Well, it's actually one of the better fund raisers I've heard of. Rather than having people fight over "the good seats" or show up two hours ahead to claim them, you raffle them off. You raise money and solve a possible issue at the ceremony all in one. Schools are in a financial bind right now, if they can raise a few hundred bucks without much in the way of effort, why the heck not? If no one buys the raffle tickets, they aren't out of anything either, like they would if they offered "real" prizes. Sounds like it could have been better organized from what the OP posted, but it's not a half bad idea.

 

[dimimi]

My opinion is that graduations for grades earlier than high school graduations are ridiculous, and raffles for front-row seats for said graduations are ridonkluous.

I agree, I find the whole thing funny...why have a "graduation" from elementary school? Are they proud of their kids for making it to grade 6? Were they nervous they weren't going to make it? Now...of course...if the school does the graduation, of course you have to go along with it, but I think it is foolish.

 

[jme829]

Hi. I just got an email that is really bothering me so I figured my fellow Disers are always willing to share their opinions and maybe help me see things in a different light.

My dd is graduating from elementary school in June. I recieved an email that a flier will be going home(some kids got it already) selling raffle tix to 'win' first row seats at the ceremony. The graduating class for 2011(next year) is running this raffle. Noone in the current graduating class knew anything about it but the principal approved it. First of all, tickets are free, each family gets a certain number(5 I think) The auditorium where the ceremony is is huge. I have been to my older dd's graduation from both elem and middle school(100 kids for elem, 250 for ms) and there is not a bad seat in the house. I find this latest 'fund raiser' appalling! Opinions?

are they selling them or are they free?


And I agree with the others that "graduation" ceremonies for elementary kids are dumb....says the mom of a 5th grader who is getting ready for her 5th grade farewell...lol

 

[MiniGirl]

are they selling them or are they free?


And I agree with the others that "graduation" ceremonies for elementary kids are dumb....says the mom of a 5th grader who is getting ready for her 5th grade farewell...lol

If I understood correctly, each family gets a certain number of tickets to the ceremony free of charge. The seats are not assigned, so the premium seats will be reserved and raffled off as a fundraiser.

 

[krcit]

Tickets to get into the ceremony are free but the younger class is selling raffles and whoever 'wins' gets to sit in the front row.

I am sitting here cracking up b/c as the day goes on and I read the responses I am thinking 'who cares??' lol I had my panties all in a twist over soemthing so silly. I need to get out more

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

 

[traviesojmt]

Since the tickets themselves are free, this really doesn't bother me. You (collective you, not specifically OP) can choose to participate or not. Every year, our school has a silent auction/dinner where one of the big moneymakers is a front of the line pass for afternoon pick-up. We are a private school without bussing so everyone picks up their student from school. The winner of this auction item does not have to wait in the pick-up line but gets their own spot in front and picks their child up first. It is good for one year. Is this something I would spend my money on? No, but I don't care if someone else wants to pay for the privilege.

I actually think this is a pretty ingenious way to raise some money. I like fundraisers in which I don't feel obligated to participate, which in this case, I wouldn't.

 

[Christine]

Since the tickets themselves are free, this really doesn't bother me. You (collective you, not specifically OP) can choose to participate or not. Every year, our school has a silent auction/dinner where one of the big moneymakers is a front of the line pass for afternoon pick-up. We are a private school without bussing so everyone picks up their student from school. The winner of this auction item does not have to wait in the pick-up line but gets their own spot in front and picks their child up first. It is good for one year. Is this something I would spend my money on? No, but I don't care if someone else wants to pay for the privilege.

I actually think this is a pretty ingenious way to raise some money. I like fundraisers in which I don't feel obligated to participate, which in this case, I wouldn't.

I agree; however, I got the impression that it bugged the OP because now she has to *pay* if she wants a front-row seat versus just getting there early and getting a prime seat. No chance of that now except to buy in.

I said earlier that it wouldn't bug me because I never, ever get the front row at a school function anyway. I just can't arrive to one of these things an hour early. So, heck, maybe the raffle would give me more of a shot...

 

[krcit]

I agree; however, I got the impression that it bugged the OP because now she has to *pay* if she wants a front-row seat versus just getting there early and getting a prime seat. No chance of that now except to buy in.

I said earlier that it wouldn't bug me because I never, ever get the front row at a school function anyway. I just can't arrive to one of these things an hour early. So, heck, maybe the raffle would give me more of a shot...

Honest to God, I don't care about a first row seat. I have been to a number of things at that auditorium and all the seats are good. I wouldn't sit in the first row even if I could. My dd has to make a speech and she would be way too nervous if she was looking at my face

 

[jme829]

If I understood correctly, each family gets a certain number of tickets to the ceremony free of charge. The seats are not assigned, so the premium seats will be reserved and raffled off as a fundraiser.

gotcha!! It's been a long week and I didn't read it right at first!..lol....

So then in that case, I think the fundraiser is stupid! I would just get there as early as possible to get the best seats available! (dd17 bf graduated HS last year and his dad got to the stadium at 6 a.m to put a blanket on the bleachers to "hold" their spot...and he wasn't the first one there by far...graduation wasn't until 7 that night I see what I have to look forward to next year!)

 

[klacey1]

So silly. Non-high school graduations are just a bit crazy-- I had a 5th grade and an 8th grade graduation (and high school and college, of course!). And grades 6-8 and 9-12 were in the same building!!
Before I'd buy a single ticket, I'd want to know where the $$ is going. I'd buy only if I believed in the fundraiser, not for the "premium" seats."

 

[Ppufi]

Maybe Elementary and Jr. High graduations are "appalling" for you adults, but I can tell you it was nice to be recognized in my 6th/8th grade award/graduation ceremony. Why not? Finally something for the top students.

As for the ticket-selling, I see nothing wrong with it.

 

[MM27]

If they win front row seats, how are they going to sneak out after their kid gets their diploma?

I actually think it's a great way to raise money, because there are some crazy parents that would want that front row so they can take hundreds of pictures of their darling.

I personally wouldn't buy a ticket, but them doing the fundraiser wouldn't hurt me any.

 

[RunningGirl]

Elementary graduation = ridiculous.

Selling raffle tickets for front row seats (when "every seat in the house is good") = genius.

 

[castleview]

If they win front row seats, how are they going to sneak out after their kid gets their diploma?

I actually think it's a great way to raise money, because there are some crazy parents that would want that front row so they can take hundreds of pictures of their darling.

I personally wouldn't buy a ticket, but them doing the fundraiser wouldn't hurt me any.

One of our Board of Ed members kicked out the people sitting in the front row at a 5th grade ceremony so her family could sit there. She actually pulled the Bd. of Ed. card. It's a good thing it wasn't me or I would have laughed in her face.

 

[si-am]

Maybe Elementary and Jr. High graduations are "appalling" for you adults, but I can tell you it was nice to be recognized in my 6th/8th grade award/graduation ceremony. Why not? Finally something for the top students.

As for the ticket-selling, I see nothing wrong with it.

We were all in 6th and 8th grades once.

And do only top students graduate?!

 

[maddiel]

Our school raffles seats on a comfy couch in the first row at the Christmas concert. I like that the same clique that seemed to grab the front row seats every time and hold them for their friends now have to share. I wouldn't mind sitting in a seat that wasn't rock-hard, so I usually buy tickets (plus I know the school needs money) I'd much rather spend money on a raffle for something like that than on overpriced catalog junk

M.