PTA asked teachers to pay for student breakfast: unreasonable?

[Anonymous]

I think it's unreasonable. I also think it's unreasonable for parents to provide teachers breakfast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is nuts. If I were a teacher, I's be talking with head of my division or HoS.

As long as you’d be good with the parents reacting this way every time the PTA shook them down foe more than their tuition to fund a teacher breakfast or holiday gift. One reciprocal gesture from teachers to graduating seniors isn’t insane.

The PTA is an organization of parents. If they are shaking down each other for something teachers did not ask for that’s not on the teachers.

Actually the “T” stands for teachers who are members of the PTA. They’re soliciting charitable donations from their students to themselves. Whenever someone points out that its gross people say to just ignore the PTA emails. Teachers should follow that advice here if they really don’t want to do this.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely nuts. Do not participate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is nuts. If I were a teacher, I's be talking with head of my division or HoS.

As long as you’d be good with the parents reacting this way every time the PTA shook them down foe more than their tuition to fund a teacher breakfast or holiday gift. One reciprocal gesture from teachers to graduating seniors isn’t insane.

The PTA is an organization of parents. If they are shaking down each other for something teachers did not ask for that’s not on the teachers.

Actually the “T” stands for teachers who are members of the PTA. They’re soliciting charitable donations from their students to themselves. Whenever someone points out that its gross people say to just ignore the PTA emails. Teachers should follow that advice here if they really don’t want to do this.

When you are a teacher at a private school, you can't just opt out of things you don't like, even if they technically aren't part of your job description. We aren't unionized, and "fit" of a teacher is very important at a school. "Fit" is a vague and hazy category with a definition that shifts and changes in the way admin choose to apply it. If there is an event and you are encouraged to participate, you "have" to do it, and you do it with a smile.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is nuts. If I were a teacher, I's be talking with head of my division or HoS.

As long as you’d be good with the parents reacting this way every time the PTA shook them down foe more than their tuition to fund a teacher breakfast or holiday gift. One reciprocal gesture from teachers to graduating seniors isn’t insane.

I really hope you are a troll.

[Anonymous]

Pitchforks, torches, bullhorns, roadblocks, drums. In other words, no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That is nuts. If I were a teacher, I's be talking with head of my division or HoS.

As long as you’d be good with the parents reacting this way every time the PTA shook them down foe more than their tuition to fund a teacher breakfast or holiday gift. One reciprocal gesture from teachers to graduating seniors isn’t insane.

The PTA is an organization of parents. If they are shaking down each other for something teachers did not ask for that’s not on the teachers.

Actually the “T” stands for teachers who are members of the PTA. They’re soliciting charitable donations from their students to themselves. Whenever someone points out that its gross people say to just ignore the PTA emails. Teachers should follow that advice here if they really don’t want to do this.

When you are a teacher at a private school, you can't just opt out of things you don't like, even if they technically aren't part of your job description. We aren't unionized, and "fit" of a teacher is very important at a school. "Fit" is a vague and hazy category with a definition that shifts and changes in the way admin choose to apply it. If there is an event and you are encouraged to participate, you "have" to do it, and you do it with a smile.

This is true in corporate America also.

The major way to bond is to go out after work to a bar and buy beers and talk about sports.

I choose not to drink because I don't like the taste of anything except mixers like Coke and cranberry juice. And I can only have a single drink and be safe to drive.

We also have holiday parties at axe throwing places and "fowling" places. Fowling is when you throw a football at a bowling pin setup.

You can opt out but it makes you look unfriendly instead of like someone who just doesn't care about pro sports and getting buzzed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A high school seniors family will have been shaken down for 100’s of dollars in the last four years for you (higher at private school) for your breakfasts and your lunches and your baskets and your holiday card. $30.00 for a milestone doesn’t seem like a big deal to me.

The comparison is not equivalent. Parents can easily choose to avoid giving food gifts, and generally avoid participating at all! Teachers, if pressured by their administration, cannot do this, because their jobs/recommendations/standing, are on the line.

I volunteered from K-12 and was a member of the PTA Board for my kids' elementary. I don't like the food thing, honestly, and never participated in that. I've had teachers share with me that they're not enthused by all the free food the PTA prepares - what they most like are gift cards to use where THEY want, not a tray of whatever in the teacher's lounge, or distribution of pies or whatever. Most female teacher are on diets at any given point in the year. There are so many allergies and restrictions these days. PTAs can make teachers lives better in other ways than by preparing meals.

It's shocking that a private school would think that teachers have anything to donate to their school or their students. Their salaries do not justify that type of contribution.

[Anonymous]

I believe this is a troll but as a parent of a kid in one of the wealthier east end grade schools in Alexandria we were solicited for funds by the PTA at the poorest school in the city.

Yeah, parents of kids we don't even know asked us to fund their PTA.

This was 10 years ago and it turned into a litmus test for if you were a true democrat or just one in name. Ultimately, those of us that did not hand over cash to beggars were called racists, because of course we had to be.

[Anonymous]

This is super weird. Usually it's the PTA parents who would supply the food.

[Anonymous]

This would be outrageous if it is true. My guess, though, is that the sign-up sheet went to all PTA members, and all the teachers are automatically signed up to get PTA emails.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

PTA can pay for it only if they have enough funds. Personally, the parents of 12th graders should pay for a senior breakfast etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This would be outrageous if it is true. My guess, though, is that the sign-up sheet went to all PTA members, and all the teachers are automatically signed up to get PTA emails.

I’m wondering this too. Kids have been at four private schools and teachers were never expected to do anything like this.

[Anonymous]

PTA works with admin to fire great teachers who give students a challenge. Kids don't like being told to get off their phones.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I believe this is a troll but as a parent of a kid in one of the wealthier east end grade schools in Alexandria we were solicited for funds by the PTA at the poorest school in the city.

Yeah, parents of kids we don't even know asked us to fund their PTA.

This was 10 years ago and it turned into a litmus test for if you were a true democrat or just one in name. Ultimately, those of us that did not hand over cash to beggars were called racists, because of course we had to be.

I can't believe that you didn't just make a small donation and I can't believe that you're posting about it 10 years later.