Rising extra costs for School, eBrandon discussion (2024)

Nicole K
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 39

Yes...I'm here to vent. Has anyone else noticed that the cost of sending your child to school and ensuring they don't feel left out is rising every year? I have 2 children, and my child in grade 2 seems to be constantly coming home with more and more forms for activities and sales...that of course cost the parents cash. There are school fundraisers (understandable) book sales, pizza sales, hot dog sales, fun plays, fun concerts, extra supplies for fun activities...the list seems to be growing more each year.

The last 2 and upcoming 2 weeks for extras I'm looking at the $30-$40 mark, and that's even after saying no to some of these forms. How do parents with 2+ children afford this?

Have you come to the point where you've just had to say no...this is not for educational purposes, and is at an extra cost to me? How do you explain this to your child/ren when you have to say no, it's just not happening? I of course have a much deeper understanding if it is an educational experience...but this is just getting out of hand!

hermione
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2942

just say no. Sometimes they're disappointed, but I point out all they do get and that we can't afford to do/get everything and they get over it. They can't have everything they want, but I try to save the buying for things I know they really want (staying for pizza day, etc). Sometimes I give them a choice and say "you can do this or that".

Edited by s123, 2009-12-05 19:25:39

katwalk1909
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7097

The sooner a child learns that Life is Not Fair, the better they will be able to accept what it offers.

Have a serious discussion about what is being offered, for what price and for what purpose.

I was already receiving Macleans and Reader's Digest so to get the subscription through the school plan was the same price as a straight renewal and good value for the money.

However, the recent "frozen cookie dough" for the sports teams was a farce. $16 for 4 dozen cookies that you have to bake yourself? Kuipers has fresh baked large cookies for $4.25 per dozen or $18 for 4 dozen cookies.

Over the years, I was able to point out the extreme prices that were being charged for various "fund raising" activities and the fact that the manufacturer was making far more money than the school selling the items.

The Lions Clubs were trying to work with the sports teams and raise money through physical work like delivering telephone books. A few years ago, grade eight students raised money by raking lawns. I was looking for a group that made Skeletons from milk jugs but could not find any. These are the kind of activities I would support.

Hot Dog or Pizza Days to help the Parent Council build a playground is reasonable and I hope you find it in your budget for these activities at least once a month. Do not feel guilty for not buying books or the other stuff they are selling if it is not in your budget. Grade seven and eight students may have music based trips but they should be within Manitoba or Saskatchewan. In the higher grades, make them earn the money by doing extra chores around the house. That band trip to Cuba may not be so great if they have to shovel the driveway and mow the lawn and take the dumpster to the curb for two years first.

Your children will survive. I was from a family that could not afford even the few school activities when we were growing up. This was one of the things that made my sister decide to go for a university degree and a professional career - because she was tired of doing without. She recently bought a townhouse in Toronto and a Yamaha baby grand piano to put in the entrance hallway foyer.

My daughter will not be going on the trip to France next year and I do not regret the decision. If she is serious about being immersed in the language, going for ten days with a group of Canadian teens is not the answer. I have suggested that she should get work in the province of Quebec for the summer instead. I will help with the cost of transportation to that location for that length of time but not for the exotic holiday the school is offering.

Explain the basic information to the child(ren) and they will understand. Like the other post said, give them a choice of this activity OR that activity but not both. Become active in the Parent Council so you can voice your concerns about the frequency and size of the requests being sent home. Ask the teacher if your child can get a reduced fare if you chaperon for the trip.

Nicole K
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 39

I think when it comes down to it, it is mostly the "non-educational" class events that seem to be on the rise that really bother me...and the cost that ensues.

That being said, I have taken your words and put them into action. For them to go to the concert event, they had to put in a few extra chores at home to gain the funds to go. This will be something that will become regular activity in our household. While there will still be some things that, when it comes down to it we just can't afford...if there's something over and above that they really want to participate in, they will have to gain the funds to do so with their own hard work.

Thank you again