Get Schooled

By Shauna

May 10, 2005 01:04 PM | Link to this

I cannot believe that Kroger is pulling it’s support of our children. It is an outrage!! Whether they donate alot of money or a little bit of money, the money is needed. Maybe customers should stop shopping at Kroger. If they think that they are hurting now, wait until people with children start shopping at other stores. They will really be hard up for money then, won’t they?

By Robert

May 10, 2005 01:08 PM | Link to this

Kroger is more intent on making a profit….note their new card for “points” is only to get customers to be loyal and pull them from Publix. Publix, by the way, still has the program that donates to schools.

I won’t shop at Kroger any more. Their prices are the same or higher than Publix and so what is the point - especially when they won’t give back to the community?

By Suwanee

May 10, 2005 01:18 PM | Link to this

I don’t blame Kroger one bit. I was attacked and robbed in broad daylight a few years ago by several high school aged “children” at a cash machine outside of a grocery store, and I dare anyone to say that it was my fault that I was robbed and beaten!

Students in public schools don’t care about learning and are abusive to teachers so why should Kroger care about funding those uninterested in school? I shop at Kroger so it is my money that is being donated, not Kroger’s. If anything, this will make me shop there more.

By dgr

May 10, 2005 01:39 PM | Link to this

What does Suwannee’s comment have to do with Kroger suspending its program? Please don’t bunch all public school children together with the “children” who robbed and beat you.

Now back to the point, I shop at Wal-Mart however I would go to Kroger for sales and use my Kroger commitment card for the school in which I teach. It is unfortunate that the program is not continuing - many well deserving students profited from this program.

By teach

May 10, 2005 01:46 PM | Link to this

How can you judge all public school students based on your experience? While I don’t blame you for being mad, those few high schoolers do not represent the majority of students.

It’s pretty bold for you to make such a blanket statement, when the majority of children in the state, let alone the country, attend public schools.

Additionally, not all students are interested in school. Does that mean we don’t have to teach them? Can we just let them sit there and make nothing for themselves? High school students often do not know their direction in life until they graduate and continue to mature.

If society gave up on every kid who was uninterested, you would be getting mugged a lot more.

By Shauna

May 10, 2005 02:18 PM | Link to this

Suwanee,

Your comments were very ignorant and have nothing to do with the thousands of children who need that money. I guess you are the only one that needs money. Since you are so concerned with that fact that you got robbed. Trust me, we are all sad and upset for you, but my kid didn’t do it, why punish my kid?

By karina

May 10, 2005 02:36 PM | Link to this

people should consider this…kroger does care about the community. what business that doesnt care donate year after year after year? most likely from a survival business move, kroger can no longer donate. However, this should not stop these outraged citizens from donating their own money to schools. And boycotting would only put hourly wage people out of jobs. Please people, put your money where your mouth is and stop expecting other people to take care of our children. Donate and spend time at your local school rather than pointing fingers at a company that i’m sure has donated it’s fair share. And stop saying you don’t have a dime to spare, reduce the minutes on your cell phone and donate that!

By John

May 10, 2005 02:49 PM | Link to this

Why should Kroger, a private company be burdened with paying for public schools? School funding should be the responsible of the county. If they don’t have enough money to care of the students, then raise taxes or reduce spending.

By yesiamworried

May 10, 2005 02:51 PM | Link to this

FYI—Our PTA treasurer said the letter that came with the check last week from Kroger said they would be introducing a new and better program. Time will tell I suppose.

By Shauna

May 10, 2005 03:06 PM | Link to this

John,

I hope they don’t raise taxes. I already pay taxes for schools in a county where my child doesn’t even attend a county school. She is in private school. I don’t get a tax break for it so they should stop expecting me to continue to dish out money for something that I don’t use. And trust me, if Kroger stops giving to my daughters school, they will raise the tuition.

By Yaya

May 10, 2005 03:08 PM | Link to this

Dang Suwanee, you is ignorant! What does you being robbed have to do with a kid needing art materials? Or music? Or textbooks? You so cold, you betta put on a big fat sweater. Stooooopid is as stoooopid does.

By Libby

May 10, 2005 03:19 PM | Link to this

Why should Kroger pay for teachers to teach studenty ONLY material that is on the Gateway test? AFterall…that’s all the kids learn during the year. There’s alot more to learn out there than just preparing a kid to take the Gateway isn’t there?

By Suwanee

May 10, 2005 03:43 PM | Link to this

Thanks, Yaya, you made me laugh!

By Ann

May 10, 2005 03:59 PM | Link to this

Libby, you are a moron. If you believe that teachers teach only what is on the test, then I have some beautiful beachfront property for you in Nebraska.

By SercaneT

May 10, 2005 04:27 PM | Link to this

I do not live in Georgia, but isn’t it ironic that the very people who vote for the politicians who impose these high-stakes tests so that we can force the public (not private) schools to teach “The Basics” turn around and criticize the schools for teaching what is on the test. The schools can’t win: if people think they are doing a good job, they don’t need any money; if they think the schools are doing a poor job, they don’t deserve any money. Go figure.

By another teacher

May 10, 2005 04:51 PM | Link to this

Libby - what Kroger (and Publix, Pike’s etc)donates doesn’t go towards teacher’s salaries. Mychldren have attended 3 different schools (elementary, middle, and high)and I teach at another middle school - in all of those, the donated money goes towards things like art supplies, landscaping and other beautification projects, rewards for both students and teachers (though more often it’s the kids ;-) ), and providing things like field trips for those who can’t afford it.

By Suwanee

May 10, 2005 04:56 PM | Link to this

To teach,

Oh, but I do blame the government school system and have no problem making my “bold statements” because only an “ignorant” person would think that the students who care about their learning and are not behaviorally challenged would be affected by my comments. The good kids know who they are and are as concerned by the bad behavior of their peers as I am.

The “public” school system is out of control and the problems seem always to boil down to student discipline and teachers having to spend more time controlling their students rather than teaching them. I do not, however, blame teachers for the chaos. I blame parents who have children but don’t want to be the bad guy by disciplining them or inconvenienced by them. I’m also tired of parents who demand their government pay for everything, then complain when the government comes up with a system to address their demands that they don’t like. And Shauna, I understand your complaint about your taxes and paying for services you chose not to use. However, I am contributing tax dollars to educational programs yet I DO NOT HAVE ANY KIDS AT ALL. You chose to have children; I chose not to have children. We both pay county taxes to support local schools, but I do not benefit in any way other than in that “etherial” way mentioned by Teach that somehow my taxes and the money donated by Kroger are keeping kids uninterested in education from mugging me more. What a stupid comment that was. So we and Kroger better ante up or face attack? The problem boils down to the general lack of work ethic among our youth couple with the abdication by them and their parents of PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY. And again, Teach, I am referring to the behaviorally challenged here, ot the good kids.

By the way, my attackers were caught and prosecuted. They turned out to be “good” students from a local high school who decided to mug someone “to see what it felt like.” The parents of all three fought tooth and nail to get them off, continually citing that they were good kids. The only problem was that they were all on video tape at the ATM machine. Am I bitter, you bet I am. Do I condemn all high schoolers for what happened, of course not. Do I generalize, absolutely and just as you have only from my view point.

By Jake

May 10, 2005 05:19 PM | Link to this

Suwanee - We all pay for police, the fire department and public schools whether we use them or not. And I usually throw a dollar or two in the Shriner’s buckets, although I don’t personally have or know any burned or crippled children. It’s called being a part of the community. It’s about caring and sharing, something the schools try very hard to teach our children, instead of just being a tired and biter old man. Perhaps you could see if Kroger needs an executive to come up with some more scrooge-like policies, should be right up your alley.

By teach

May 11, 2005 08:12 AM | Link to this

How can people who have no experience teaching inside a classroom think that they know all about students? I see “uninterested” kids every day. Yet I have also seen uninterested kids become interested after people cared about them. The kids who don’t have people caring for them are often the ones who end up traveling down the wrong paths.

It has nothing to do with money. What I spoke of was people caring. Teachers, family, friends, and the community in which they live.

The problem I have with Suwanee is not about the Kroger money issue, but with her attitude towards public school children.

It’s probably best that you don’t have kids.

By T. R.

May 11, 2005 08:29 AM | Link to this

I do not shop at Kroger, ever. But it’s not because any of their programs, it’s because their products are sub-standard. Wander through any Kroger any day and with a little effort you will find dozens of expired and about to expire products. Dairy is the worst offender of all.

I had a Kroger ajacent to my home, so it was very convenient to shop there - but after the umpteenth expired yogurt and expires-tomorrow gallon of milk - I said enough was enough. On several occasions I’ve found expired meat in the meat case - and sometimes expired by as much as a week.

Kroger probably has to cancel it’s program to keep it in business - but perhaps it should spend more time dealing with it’s products instead.

By Yaya

May 11, 2005 09:08 AM | Link to this

Jake you the man! Ignorance is far worse than taxes. And Suwanee, you don’t need no babies ‘cause those selfish genes don’t need to be passed on to nobody.

By JB

May 11, 2005 09:32 AM | Link to this

dgr, you ever stop to think that maybe people like you are the reason they are stopping the program.

By DB

May 11, 2005 09:41 AM | Link to this

Based on 10 years as a teacher, my opinion is that there is plenty of money spent on education already. It’s just not used wisely. If it were spent more wisely, i.e., not on kids who waste it by disrespecting the whole system, all the good kids would get that much more of an education. And teachers would be much more effective. We spend too much money on buses, fuel, drivers, mechanics, and maintenance so kids don’t have to walk another half mile(and then we complain America’s kids are getting obese); we spend millions on lawsuits and litigation because the select few make it terrible for the rest; we spend millions on insurance so we have support when schools get sued; we spend more on medical insurance costs because most think a high deductible is wrong; we spend millions on extra law enforcement for those that shouldn’t even be allowed in school; we spend millions on building upgrades and land acquisition that is more about appearances than utility; we spend more on sports programs than academics; we spend millions on have extra staff to monitor the hallways; we spend a lot on teachers attending useless workshops that exist solely because teachers have to have so many staff development units every five years and there is money to be made holding the workshops; the list goes on and on. The “Drop in the Bucket” that Kroger used to boost sales and make a better image for themselves will not be missed. Why does everyone always think money is going to solve all problems when it comes to education? The solution is putting discipline and common sense back into our public schools. Money is not the problem. Kroger is a business; that’s it. Be thankful they gave money at all in the first place.

By Mick

May 11, 2005 10:44 AM | Link to this

Good grief! Public schools are bad? Compared to what: no schools?

Public schools are not perfect, and we can improve them, but without public schools, our society as we know it simply could not exist. Public schools insure that virtually every citizen has at least a minimum level of basic skill, that most citizens have at least moderate skills, and that at least a few citizens have skills equal to any in the world.

Without public schools, the 90% or more of the students not being educated by the private schools would be roaming freely with no skills and no prospects. Under those conditions, the robbery described above would be a daily occurrence for most of us.

By Wendy

May 11, 2005 11:14 AM | Link to this

I stopped shopping at Kroger when they stopped giving customer sales prices unless they signed for up for “the card.” I feel just for the fact that I am shopping at the store, I should receive a sale price without having to give them personal information to receive “the card.” I had switched to Ingles but now Ingles is doing the same idiotic thing - “the card.” Now WalMart has ALL my business. If they start with that nonsense, I will grow my own vegetables, I guess (smiles). Where do these stores get off? Why do they want this information? Do they collect databases and sell information? I don’t see the need for forcing their formerly loyal customers to use “the card” in order to get sale prices. Oh yeah, the school stuff - that is strictly up to Kroger. Good things don’t last forever. I agree with others that if you are concerned about this, then donate a portion of your grocery money to your favorite child charity.

By tsk tsk

May 11, 2005 02:08 PM | Link to this

As far as ‘the card’ goes, you bet they compile databases, develop marketing profiles and sell those to whoever will buy them. Imagine how much can be learned about a person based on what they buy at the grocery store — or, imagine what they could NOT learn about a person. This kind of ‘Targeted Marketing’ ability is cherished by marketing people these days. It represents the biggest pot of gold at the end of the biggest rainbow that’s ever been.

By Dan

May 11, 2005 02:27 PM | Link to this

It is hilarious, for years Kroger donates money, and now some people are OUTRAGED that they stop. This is so indicative of the perception of entitlement people have today. How about saying thank you for all the years of donations. By the way most schoools don’t even spend most of dollars allocated to them and when the do it is often poorly spent (see the fulton county computer fiasco) A much bigger problem would be the attitude kids pick up from the morons who are OUTRAGED!

By DB

May 11, 2005 03:23 PM | Link to this

What Dan is saying is absolutely excellent! I, too, can’t believe the sense of entitlement most people have around here! How do people have the arrogance to bad mouth a company that donated profits toward schools, and then say they’re going to shop at other stores that never even did it in the first place, not to mention a company that plays a huge economic role in creating jobs. It’s no wonder the level of overall respect in our society has dropped close to zero.

By CC

May 11, 2005 04:00 PM | Link to this

Just an FYI on “the card”, Kroger does compile databases but they do not sell them to other companies. They use them to better stock their stores for the appropriate areas and they also give out certain coupons based on your profile. As for T.R.’s comment on out of date items, I am curious as to what the store manager said when you approached him about the situation. As for Yaya’s comments. One: learn some grammer. If it is a joke then it was done in poor taste. Two: Why go spewing your venom at someone you don’t even know? And no people, I do not work for Kroger.

By T. R.

May 12, 2005 08:39 AM | Link to this

CC:

When I approached the General Manager at the Alpharetta State Bridge store about the problem I got a smile and a brush off.

FWIW, I used to be part of a coupon club with about 50 members, and there were at least a dozen members, all from different parts of the metro area, that had had the same experience with expired and about to expire products at Kroger.

The joke was that you could buy a gallon of milk at publix, then go to Kroger a week later, and your week old gallon from Publix would still be good longer than your new one from Kroger. Don’t even get me started on the yogurt…

By Pat

May 12, 2005 09:03 AM | Link to this

Quote from dgr “I shop at Wal-Mart however I would go to Kroger for sales and use my Kroger commitment card for the school in which I teach”

That says it all. Wal Mart is running a lot of good companies out of business or casuing them to seriously scale back. I am not bashing Wal Mart. I shop there also from time to time. But when I do I realize that my doing so may help to close down some business that gives back to the community. So I limit my Wal Mart trips to a bare minimum.

People like dgr only buy from Kroger sales items and spend the rest of their money at W.M. In doing this Kroger loses the ability to make money. So do not blame Kroger, blame yourselves. You reap what you sow.

By grrrtech

May 12, 2005 09:04 AM | Link to this

Just a side note, folks. “Its” is possessive, “It’s” means “it is”. It’s ironic to misuse these when discussing education.

By PAT

May 12, 2005 09:16 AM | Link to this

grrrtech, while we are discussing English, there is no such word as (irregardless) the word is irrespective. And do not say “Where is it at”. Just a simple “Where is it located” will do just fine.

Maybe it is time we do away with public education and make all schools private. That way all the parents on this board could pay as much or as little as they desire to educate thier children.

Or, maybe those who hate Kroger so much could start their own grocery store and give as much money as they desire to whom ever they desire.

By Connie

May 12, 2005 11:03 AM | Link to this

Interesting that the Wal-Mart bashing begins.

People shop at Wal-Mart. Period. If they weren’t a successful company, they wouldn’t be in business. (Let’s face it. We all want goods at the cheapest possible prices.) And Wal-Mart also gives to the community with Scholorhsip programs, etc. (No I don’t work for Wal-Mart).

You talk about Wal-Mart driving other companies out of business. I have to wonder if you shop at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Talk about businesses driving other companies out. When was the last time you shopped at a “Mom & Pop” hardware store?

Kroger had a program for schools. They decided to sopt it for now. I don’t think the Public School system will collapse because of it.

By Connie

May 12, 2005 11:04 AM | Link to this

Interesting that the Wal-Mart bashing begins.

People shop at Wal-Mart. Period. If they weren’t a successful company, they wouldn’t be in business. (Let’s face it. We all want goods at the cheapest possible prices.) And Wal-Mart also gives to the community with Scholorhsip programs, etc. (No I don’t work for Wal-Mart).

You talk about Wal-Mart driving other companies out of business. I have to wonder if you shop at Lowe’s or Home Depot. Talk about businesses driving other companies out. When was the last time you shopped at a “Mom & Pop” hardware store?

Kroger had a program for schools. They decided to stop it for now. I don’t think the Public School system will collapse because of it.

By Scott

May 12, 2005 11:15 AM | Link to this

Hello?

Has everyone conveniently missed that this change DOES NOT AFFECT donations to schools, only to clinics and other nonprofit organizations?

It sounds like the schools still need the money … to teach folks to READ!

By Jo

May 12, 2005 11:30 AM | Link to this

Thank you Scott! I was reading all of these posts, and their many tangents, wondering did anyone read the original article stating that Krogers was changing the school program not eliminating it?

Reading is truly fundamental.