PTA asked teachers to pay for student breakfast: unreasonable?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

LOL. I love it when people get huffy when teachers aren't "grateful enough"
--not a teacher

[Anonymous]

Well it seems we’ve reached the rare dcum almost consensus. This is insane. As a parent I would be mortified if the teachers were asked to do this. Most of us are well aware the teachers don’t make that much but also there is no reason they should be asked to contribute to this. Or even set it up. This should be 100% parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

LOL. I love it when people get huffy when teachers aren't "grateful enough"
--not a teacher

I don't actually expect any gratitude. I expect people to not act like paying $15 dues is a big deal. PTA is a national non-profit dues-paying org with individual memberships and the dues are a pittance. It's one hour of minimum wage work. Join or don't join (most don't bother). My point is simply that any teacher that joins and pays will receive more than they spend/give.

I agreed that teachers should not pay for this breakfast discussed by OP. I also agree that teachers shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for enhancing their classrooms and curriculums with discretionary purchases (within reason). I'd like it if the schools would fund that more but our district's PTAs, especially at the elementary level, try to chip in a few $100s per year per teacher for that. The elementary PTAs also provide free dinner for the evening parent-teacher conferences which require teachers to be at school in the evening for work.

People like to beat up on teachers. They also like to beat up on PTA members and officers who run things. I know there are weird interpersonal situations with PTAs and volunteers in general. However, in my experience, if a school can't get any parent volunteers, it's probably not the kind of school that teachers would want to work at or that has good classroom conditions.

I'm huffy about people who think it's worth being a brat about PTAs on a forum over a hypothetical $15.

[Anonymous]

This is completely inappropriate. Just say no. Parents/PTA should be spending the $.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

LOL. I love it when people get huffy when teachers aren't "grateful enough"
--not a teacher

I don't actually expect any gratitude. I expect people to not act like paying $15 dues is a big deal. PTA is a national non-profit dues-paying org with individual memberships and the dues are a pittance. It's one hour of minimum wage work. Join or don't join (most don't bother). My point is simply that any teacher that joins and pays will receive more than they spend/give.

I agreed that teachers should not pay for this breakfast discussed by OP. I also agree that teachers shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for enhancing their classrooms and curriculums with discretionary purchases (within reason). I'd like it if the schools would fund that more but our district's PTAs, especially at the elementary level, try to chip in a few $100s per year per teacher for that. The elementary PTAs also provide free dinner for the evening parent-teacher conferences which require teachers to be at school in the evening for work.

People like to beat up on teachers. They also like to beat up on PTA members and officers who run things. I know there are weird interpersonal situations with PTAs and volunteers in general. However, in my experience, if a school can't get any parent volunteers, it's probably not the kind of school that teachers would want to work at or that has good classroom conditions.

I'm huffy about people who think it's worth being a brat about PTAs on a forum over a hypothetical $15.

(DP). As a very involved parent (in terms of money, time), I understand where you are coming from. But I would also give that PP teacher some grace. She's just giving her perspective.

Also even though it's "just $15" teachers at my kids' elementary school buy A LOT of stuff for their classrooms out of their own pocket. School supplies, snacks, warm clothing for kids, subscriptions, you name it. So maybe $15 ON TOP OF all that just doesn't sit right.

Our PTA charges dues ($10/year) but covers any parent who can't afford (we're Title 1) and I doubt they charge dues to teachers, but I guess I don't know for sure.

[Anonymous]

That's nuts. I was a private school PA president for a couple of years, and it was fully understood that part of our roles was to be supportive of teachers. We never would have asked them to pay for anything or devote time to something outside of the classroom. What you're describing would have been nothing short of scandalous at our school.

[Anonymous]

That’s unreasonable. So unreasonable that I wonder if there is a miscommunication. Who is the lead teacher and could they write back asking for clarification because usually the PTA would pay for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

LOL. I love it when people get huffy when teachers aren't "grateful enough"
--not a teacher

I don't actually expect any gratitude. I expect people to not act like paying $15 dues is a big deal. PTA is a national non-profit dues-paying org with individual memberships and the dues are a pittance. It's one hour of minimum wage work. Join or don't join (most don't bother). My point is simply that any teacher that joins and pays will receive more than they spend/give.

I agreed that teachers should not pay for this breakfast discussed by OP. I also agree that teachers shouldn't have to pay out of pocket for enhancing their classrooms and curriculums with discretionary purchases (within reason). I'd like it if the schools would fund that more but our district's PTAs, especially at the elementary level, try to chip in a few $100s per year per teacher for that. The elementary PTAs also provide free dinner for the evening parent-teacher conferences which require teachers to be at school in the evening for work.

People like to beat up on teachers. They also like to beat up on PTA members and officers who run things. I know there are weird interpersonal situations with PTAs and volunteers in general. However, in my experience, if a school can't get any parent volunteers, it's probably not the kind of school that teachers would want to work at or that has good classroom conditions.

I'm huffy about people who think it's worth being a brat about PTAs on a forum over a hypothetical $15.

(DP). As a very involved parent (in terms of money, time), I understand where you are coming from. But I would also give that PP teacher some grace. She's just giving her perspective.

Also even though it's "just $15" teachers at my kids' elementary school buy A LOT of stuff for their classrooms out of their own pocket. School supplies, snacks, warm clothing for kids, subscriptions, you name it. So maybe $15 ON TOP OF all that just doesn't sit right.

Our PTA charges dues ($10/year) but covers any parent who can't afford (we're Title 1) and I doubt they charge dues to teachers, but I guess I don't know for sure.

Understand what you're saying but the PP said "-not a teacher" in their signature. It would be different if it was a put-upon teacher.

[Anonymous]

Get a better job. Teachers are in hot demand here. I wouldn't put up with this for 1 second.

[Anonymous]

Former public teacher here. The federal government and MD state only allow for $300 in deductions for classroom supplies. No, if I was strapped, I would feel cross about this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

I'm the PP you replied to. The thing that bothered me, more than the $15, is that you said "we don't ask" and then immediately after described asking. Teaching these days is a death by a thousand cuts. It's not one unreasonable demand, it's 100s of demands that, on the surface seem reasonable. $15 is not a lot, but when you add it to the fact that I am asked to pay for my own cleaning supplies, and school supplies for the kid whose parents didn't buy them, etc . . . It adds up.

I'm also going to say that while I have been known to pick up a diet coke if I go in the teacher's lounge and there's a free one, the idea that a diet coke, which isn't a drink I'd ever choose if there were other options, should not be thought of as a replacement for $2.50 of my own money. The diet coke is either replacing water, which is free, or the $0.40 drink I might have brought from Aldi's. Also, the things in the teacher's lounge are generally considered to be gifts. It's not the recipient's responsibility to pay for gifts.

If there is some benefit to the PTA to teachers being members, then offer to reimburse people who join. If you're asking us to join because the PTA gets to keep $10 of the $15, then recognize that you are asking for donations. I donate a lot to my school, but I'm not going to do it through a platform that takes a significant cut, and I'm going to choose carefully and donate for the needs I see as most pressing.

[Anonymous]

Normally, it is the opposite. The PTA and / or students host a teacher appreciation breakfast.
Never ever heard of this sort of thing and it is offensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is your principal aware of this? I would speak to them and have them deal with the PTA. This is either a huge miscommunication or the PTA has lost its marbles.

This. Our PTA doesn't ask for any funds from teachers except we do ask them to become real members. That costs $15/year. Of which a few dollars go to national PTA.

We stock the teachers' lounge with free food at appreciation events. And every teacher gets a $25 gift card at the winter holidays

So no teacher is out of pocket due to PTA.

As a teacher, I would much rather that my PTA pay my dues, than that they ask me to fork over $15, and then consider a $25 gift card (to where?) months later to be repayment.

We don't require anyone to join. It's a sign of support for the mission of the PTA (ours is actually a PTSA because high-school students can join).

There aren't any waivers of dues for anyone. I pay for my kid's student membership. The administrators pay. When you pay your dues you become eligible for other benefits like applying for national PTA grants and scholarships. And you fill in your own personal contact details and preferences.

I'm sure the teachers get more than $15 in free coffee, tea, snacks. Not hard at $2.50 for a Coke. The $25 gift card goes to all teachers and not just those who sign up for PTA. It's a gift funded by donors and the gift card drive is managed by PTA.

So you are the kind of person who would get petty about being out $15 for 3 months. OK. I spent $100 of my personal money on snacks for the teachers' lounge for beginning of the school year. I guess we don't share priorities.

Gift cards are usually teacher's choice and they are usually Target, grocery store, or gas cards for our local stations. Not useless stuff.

LOL. I love it when people get huffy when teachers aren't "grateful enough"
--not a teacher

I had the same thought.

[Anonymous]

PTA needs to provide. And NOT ask you to come in early. Jeezus. Rich people are the cheapest, most clueless mofos. Private school teachers are mostly already underpaid as it is.

[Anonymous]

Our principal always forwards the PTA's sign up lists at the request of the PTA president. I've yet to see a staff member sign up for anything, but we are always asked to. Public school, though.