It would be nice to not be asked for school money
Posted By David Gough
Posted 1 month ago
My niece just started junior kindergarten last month. Her parents said things are going swimmingly, except for one little fact. Every time they open up my niece's backpack at the end of the school day, there is another plea from the school for money.
Money for equipment, money needed for supplies, money needed for hot lunches, money for book orders, money for field trips, money for the school's endowment. It just seems like it never ends.
I guess I should've warned my brother and sister-in-law that this is the way things roll in the education system now. The schools prey on parents for money like a preacher stealing hearts in a traveling show.
A recent Scotiabank study found parents spend an average of $310 to get their children ready to go back to school and $406 more on school-related incidentals, from field trips to pizza lunches.
The request for money does get overwhelming. It can also get annoying.
I could understand if schools had outstanding music programs, great athletic fields and top-notch facilities, but that is not the case.
Why should parents have to pay for basics such as tissue boxes and hand sanitizer?
As with any problem, there has to be a solution.
My solution is corporate sponsorship.
I see a lot of kids from A.A. Wright at Taco Bell at lunchtime. How about Taco Bell public school? Instead of the Wildcats nickname, the school's new mascot would be a chihuahua.
Maybe we can get Wabtec to sponsor the gym at Wallaceburg District Secondary School. The sign above the door can say welcome to the foundry.
My other option would be for schools to present a budget they need for field trips, supplies and other school-related activities.
Then I would write a cheque for about $400 at the beginning of the year to cover the costs. It seems like a lot of money all at once, but over the course of a school year that is approximately the amount I pay anyway.
That way I could go a whole school year without all of those slips of paper asking for money. It would mean no more trips to Tim Hortons to buy a doughnut in the morning to break $20 so my kids have change for pizza day.
Another option would be for the province to properly fund public education. I would also like a brand new truck to magically appear in my driveway. Both are not likely to happen anytime soon.
