Carpools/Requests for school supplies (Laurel Park: home, to buy, car)

[DPPWUS]

My son goes to first grade and I think over the course of his first 2 years of school, he has come home with more requests to buy things, donate money to things, etc than I did in my entire 12 years of public education.

Between the fund raisers, t-shirts, book clubs, magnets, pictures, charitable requests, field trips, holiday events, PTA, etc, it seems like every day there is a another $10 or $20 that we are shelling out for something.

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that PTA seems active and that they are trying to do some fun things for the kids but after a while, you become kind of "numb" to the solicitation and I can only imagine that it affects the participation in some of the projects/fund raisers.

Anyone else feel this way?

[DPPWUS]

I get that isn't easy to organize a couple hundred kids from dozens of different class rooms who are excited to be going home and efficiently get them to the correct car outside. I get it.

HOWEVER....Why is it that the process is sooooooooooo slow, so disorganized at times and just plain awful???

Kids are dismissed at 3:00 at our school and often, the teachers aren't even checking the carpool numbers until after 3:00, still having to walk through the line and then communicate those numbers back to the school. I could go on and on but was interested in other opinions.

[3DogNight]

While I am not a parent, I definitely see what you're referring to....our group mailbox at work usually has an order booklet or samples of something (and a desperate parent) lying in wait for an unsuspecting coworker to pick up their mail. It's gotten to the point where I heard one lady pass by the mailboxes and say "WHAT NOW?"

So yep, I see it and I don't even have kids.

[dedratermi]

Why don't you volunteer to help, since it seems that you have plenty of time to wait in the carpool line while things are so disorganized? I bet the teachers at your kid's school would really appreciate it!

[lamishra]

I prefer to just cut the PTA a check and that's it for the year.

[lamishra]

Have your kids ride the bus. Cuts down on the carpool maddness for everyone!

[MammaLakn]

Originally Posted by HarryBean

Why is it that the process is sooooooooooo slow, so disorganized at times and just plain awful???

Sorry to hear that you have such a bad carpool experience. Maybe you can offer some suggestions to the ppl in charge?

My child goes to Laurel Park Elementary and Im very impressed with their carpool procedure. Well organized and quick.

[whiteboyslo]

i don't get it. what are the teachers communicating back to the school?

is it not just a matter of picking up the kids you're supposed to pick up and leaving? do the teachers now have to make sure each child leaves with the 'proper' adult?

Mike

[kelly237]

yep...it is all too much..

I don't worry about it though

75% of it goes to my trash can..
If fundraisers take away from family time then the tradeoff
is not worth it...

I help at school for 2-3 events a year, support what I really
think is important and don't worry about the rest.

Our "senior parents" go a bit overboard with a senior event
almost every week it seems... That is fine but I am not going to
feel quilty because they over plan stuff and expect help for
every event..

[DPPWUS]

Originally Posted by dedratermi

Why don't you volunteer to help, since it seems that you have plenty of time to wait in the carpool line while things are so disorganized? I bet the teachers at your kid's school would really appreciate it!

Thanks for your advice!!

I DO volunteer...I read in the mornings, I volunteer with PTA and I do "lunch bunch" at least once per month. Next time..just ask.