Selling friendship bracelets?

[Anonymous]

My middle Schooler has been making friendship bracelets for friends who have been giving her small amounts of money like 50 cents to make them. Is this permitted in MCPS which she get in trouble? I tried looking on the website to see if there are rules but cannot find any.

[Anonymous]

I don't know if it is technically "allowed" but it is VERY common and I've never seen anyone get in trouble.

[Anonymous]

My middle schooler reports that kids sell chips, candy, soda, and even vapes and vape hits.

Interestingly, while the the food items are with a markup, the vapes are ridiculously cheap. Which leads my middle schooler to believe that the kid's mom acquires the vapes in an illegal manner.

[Anonymous]

Last week, my child's middle school sent an email that said while they were excited and could appreciate their entrepreneurial ambitions, students are not permitted to sell personal items on school grounds that are not related to a school sanctioned fundraiser or event. The items will be confiscated, and parents may be required to pick them up from school.

Your daughter is not asking for money, but she is receiving money for her goods. She could get off on a technicality.

[Anonymous]

This type of thing has been going on forever and they won’t stop it. I remember kids selling candy in elementary school 45 years ago and we did friendship bracelets in middle school too. The only difference now is the staff try to control it, back then just told do it before or after class. If it’s not illegal goods then I wouldn’t worry about it.

[Anonymous]

As long as both seller and buyer are discrete it'll likely be fine.

[Anonymous]

In homeschool group they have market 1-2 days per year where kids can sell to other kids and parents. Homemade items have to be created by the children and they have to work their “booth”. They can sell anything but have a $3 charge limit. Kids sell toys, baked goods, bookmarks, farm fresh eggs, greeting cards, bracelets, squishy balloon balls, air fresheners, candles, popcorn, etc. One time I got the cutest little Easter Bunny from a 4 year old made out of baby socks. It teaches money skills, social skills, creativity, and that they can use their own skills and resources to create income. The kids really seem to enjoy it every time regardless of age. Public schools could learn something from this instead of just telling kids not to do it.

[Anonymous]

Oh that's so funny. My friend and I had a business from 1991-1993 on the magnet bus from Gaithersburg to Silver Spring...long bus ride, lots of time to make bracelets and hawk our wares. We made a killing! (And OP, charged more than that back then - tell your kid to consider her costs!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In homeschool group they have market 1-2 days per year where kids can sell to other kids and parents. Homemade items have to be created by the children and they have to work their “booth”. They can sell anything but have a $3 charge limit. Kids sell toys, baked goods, bookmarks, farm fresh eggs, greeting cards, bracelets, squishy balloon balls, air fresheners, candles, popcorn, etc. One time I got the cutest little Easter Bunny from a 4 year old made out of baby socks. It teaches money skills, social skills, creativity, and that they can use their own skills and resources to create income. The kids really seem to enjoy it every time regardless of age. Public schools could learn something from this instead of just telling kids not to do it.

This is not homeschooling. Very different.

[Anonymous]

I used to sell earrings and snickers bars!

[Anonymous]

My MSer got detention for selling candy at school. Before she did it, I looked everywhere and couldn't find any rule against it. The principal cited a rule that there can be no private businesses on mcps property

I think it depends on the school and teacher. I also think candy was more hot-button than bracelets because the principal also talked a lot about wanting MSers to make good health choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My middle schooler reports that kids sell chips, candy, soda, and even vapes and vape hits.

Interestingly, while the the food items are with a markup, the vapes are ridiculously cheap. Which leads my middle schooler to believe that the kid's mom acquires the vapes in an illegal manner.