[Roon63]

Growl!
Perhaps it is just a bad day, the sun is hiding and I am a summer warm kinda gal.
But today is picture day, we took out our bank loan to finance 4 kids class pictures (just kidding, but woo boy, they ain't cheap). Girls are all braided and in dresses, boys faces are washed, and no toothpaste dribble down their shirts.
On the way into school, phone rings and piano tuner will be able to come next week, estimate given, my eyes roll back into my head. Okay, see you then!?! cha-ching
G-man 2nd son field trip, oh by the way, can we have a few dollars for the field trip...to get snacks. I am thinking snacks? Sure, here. cha-ching
Make it out of the 3 classrooms (luckily, the twins are in same class this year)
The principal grabs me to let me know that the fund raiser is next month, can I help and buy some tickets to help get our school playground equipment? I am tapped, I give her my last $5....cha-ching

I went to Wal-mart, sure I got plastic....to buy chips and dip for class party Friday for oldest. While I am there, I pick up the extra glue sticks and paper bags needed for kinderclass. cha-ching

Wow! I am broke! But I have 4 kids smiling , that call me mom! cha-ching

[crick]

LOL! There is always something, isn't there?

I've really learned the art of saying "NO" lately. Our school did away with the door to door fundraising and instead asked for direct cash donations. "Only" $50-100 per child. EGADS! $250-400 for fundraising? NO!

They decided this school year to do not 1 school pictures but 2. 1 in the fall and 1 in the spring. I do 1...that's it. I've learned now not to pay upfront for the pics since they will take their pics regardless if you say yes or not. I will wait from now on to see the pics before deciding to order. Fall pics were HORRIBLE! There goes $100 down the drain. I'm not talking goofy smiles etc. no...the lighting was wrong on all 4 of their pics and each kid had a halo of yellow light over their heads. Their pics were taken after lunch & recess and 1 kid had a bit of mustard on his chin. Uh...hello???? Nope...not paying for this stuff anymore!

I've discovered a great store though for the neverending supply of glue, scissors, crayons etc. they always need through out the year. Big Lots! Much cheaper. I do buy the initial set of supplies at Walmart, but after that...Big Lots.

Don't get me started on the holiday gifts for teachers, class parties etc. Oh Vey!

[lakin11]

The school I used to work for did fall and spring pictures too. The fall ones were always the prepay kind (and yes, they take everyone's picture anyway for the year book). They were the boring pictures with plain backgrounds. Now the spring pictures they always had cute backgrounds and little props. They were cute! And they took everyone's pictures. The set came with several sized pictures, bookmarks w/ their pics, stickers with their pic, keychain pieces, the works! They sent them home to everyone. Now, honest parents would pick what part of the package they wanted, send back what they didn't. However, our school was a very low income school. Most of the parents kept the whole package and didn't pay a penny! All of us teacher would get soooo mad b/c we couldn't require they send them back, but we had to send the package home with them! It was more or less encouraging them to steal b/c they had no consequences for not paying! The photo place who did them never cared...they made more than enough money on that 25% that did pay to cover any losses! How sad is that!

Hey Roon, while you are handing out money, I'll take some!!
Shannon

[Roon63]

cha ching to ya' lakin! you punk lol

our school does the nifty spring cute pics, but now you get a proof with proof written across face to look at in ordering. lol This is usually the one we order. Has nice props with it etc, and they spend a bit more time getting a good shot.

[Adopted 4]

Some schools seem like they are about to close if they dont have fundraisers-

[hotspice58]

School?!?! What about activities/sports? My 8 yo is in cub scouts - we sell popcorn. My 11 yo is in football, which has a $150 fundraiser when you sign up. They both take a hip hop dance class. I only spent $30. As for the pics, I learned. One big one and a couple of wallets and that's it.