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Thursday, October 12, 2006
Enough Wrapping Paper?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did you buy enough wrapping paper during the school fund-raising season? I didn’t even get asked this year, which I think is a first. I have gift bags I bought ten years ago and wrapping paper so pricey I make sure to only tear off the exact amount I need to wrap a gift. Everybody knows who the Gainfully Employed Person Without Children is when their child is selling something! (And, really, I don’t mind being asked… I could always say no…)
School fund-raisers are a way of life, especially at schools with active PTAs. The proceeds of the sale often make up 50 percent or more of the PTA’s budget, which is often well into six figures.
Some things PTAs buy with this money: Commercial curriculum products like Accelerated Reader, Open Court or Core Knowledge. (Workbooks, software etc.) Small grants for teachers who want to do innovative projects. Art supplies. Musical instruments. Computers. Field trips… I’m sure I’m leaving out some things here… help me out. Some school PTAs fund nurses, art teachers and other staff. This is kinda controversial, and some schools forbid it.
Anyway, do you participate in the wrapping paper sale or other door-to-door fund-raiser? Do you ask co-workers and friends to buy stuff, or do you buy stuff just for your family? Do you just write a check to the PTA and bypass the stuff? Has your school decided to forego the fund-raising and the items the money can buy?
