redbenjoe said:
Superduper said:
Reli said:
do you have a kid at this high school, Norm?
Yes, Reli. I have 2 daughters in our local high school music program. But one of them is a member of the Jazz band and I guess they will be performing there at Yoshi's of Oakland, in Jack London Square. The teacher basically plunked down a stack of tickets and told each student that they MUST sell them. That's another way of saying if we didn't, we would be buying them ourselves. My daughter came home from school yesterday and begged my wife and I to try to sell them for her. Unlike cookies, coffee and candy, it's hard for children to peddle things like tickets 'n such.
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i think ?? that so far - hardly any members have done any little deed to help out norms kids--
sort of very surprising -
anybody know what i mean ?
Hey Norm I get it. And any members here who know anything about me knows I do. I have a 17yr old daughter who because of her talent, has had opportunities dropped right in front of her. And we have spent THOUSANDS, much like I'm sure you have. She has a trip to New York next with her school band. My youngest daughter, 12 is raising money by working for it because she was selected to be a student ambassador...as long as WE pay for a trip to Canada that will cost over four grand. Plus other programs she's set to be a part of which has cost out the kazoo. And my son plays sports, football and baseball, and is picking up basketball. He's 11 and the older he gets, the more expensive it gets. Next year he is supposed to start traveling out of state if his skills keep developing at the rate they are.
I think it's a sham for anyone to tell kids they have to shill items no one wants or they aren't dedicated or try to make the parents feel guilty for not going to work or family and begging. Heck, I'd just as soon pay for it than have my kids running around and basically begging for someone else to fork over money to support their wants.
My oldest feels the same way. She came up with the concept of making baked goods and fudge to sell and ship. And in the process she learned what it was to run a business, profit and loss, and overhead costs. She wanted something and she went after it. Period. And it worked, now she's not sure if she wants to own a bakery, be an engineer, or a PR agent.
I will say that within the tax dollars schools receive, there is tons of waste, and because of it, programs which were a staple of our schools, gets cut. And it seems every year, the schools, instead of just holding a concert in the gym or auditorium or whatever, have to go on expensive trips, or perform in expensive places, etc. Heck, if the band wanted to simply cut a deal with the restaurant, like any other performing act, they would simply get paid an entertainers fee and bank it for the band. Heck, if the restaurant is that damn good, people will simply come and be pleasantly surprised. The school gets a solid rep as performers. This encourages the kids to perform better as they look forward to their next "gig".
I remember in high school the whole fee thing started up with football. My uncle said "If you want it, you find a way to support your dream just like those college kids who don't get drafted do. Work, save your money, know what it costs and what your tryout or season expenses are, and allot your funds properly. It's not the neighbors job to buy a fruitcake so your "school" gets a buck to go towards the program. If the school needs the money, they should go get it. If the school system wants to help the kids who can't afford the fees, then the school should ask the community related to that school. If the community wants to support the school they will. If not, then it's apparent that they weren't fans of the team anyway. And the kids who want to play should go somewhere they can play, and be appreciated for their efforts."
My uncle, like me, isn't the most popular person at family gatherings. Oh our twisted views on life...
I'm not complaining. I support my kids as best I can. But I don't want them feeling beholden to someone because they made a donation. I'm sure you know what I mean Norm when someone makes a donation for your kids, they come to you with the look of "Remember I..." for theirs. It's then that you realize "Hmmm...this is nothing more than a money merry-go-round...he buys for fifteen...now I have to donate fifteen..."
Round and round it goes...
, LMK.
BMoney for purchasing a ticket.
:super:
