Annual Private School Dinner/Auctions

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just goes to show the dangers of psychoanalyzing people you've never met (a long and hallowed DCUM tradition):
- we no longer have a kid in this private (for other reasons, because how the auction is run isn't a life-altering thing for us although it seems to be to you)
- while we were there, we did it because the kids loved the school, not to boost our own happiness

But really, this issue has been discussed before and there's some concensus that people do suck up to the school administration by helping with the auction, volunteering only on field trips that the head attends (I remember this being addressed in a DCUM thread, and not by me), and more. Check the DCUM archives. And it probably goes on at every school to some extent, greater or lesser, not just at this one school. At our school, the sucking up was for middle and/or high school admissions, and yes, of course these upper schools do want to hear about parental contributions to/involvement with the elementary school.

Tsk. Tsk. What were you just saying about the dangers of psychoanalyzing people? Aside from the fact that I read DCUM, you know absolutely nothing about me. It's beyond presumptuous to assume that I even care about how the auction is run, much less that it is "life altering"?!

So from your latest post, I guess you were just trolling when you made that earlier drama-queen post about how my family should leave a school because of the auctions. Pathetically dumb and attention-seeking.

Now would you care to address the substance of my posts -- that some (not all, of course) parents get involved in school activities to suck up to the school administration? Or is substance beyond you (and your fellow trolls)? If you're really a complete waste of time, maybe somebody else can offer an opinion on this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just goes to show the dangers of psychoanalyzing people you've never met (a long and hallowed DCUM tradition):
- we no longer have a kid in this private (for other reasons, because how the auction is run isn't a life-altering thing for us although it seems to be to you)
- while we were there, we did it because the kids loved the school, not to boost our own happiness

But really, this issue has been discussed before and there's some concensus that people do suck up to the school administration by helping with the auction, volunteering only on field trips that the head attends (I remember this being addressed in a DCUM thread, and not by me), and more. Check the DCUM archives. And it probably goes on at every school to some extent, greater or lesser, not just at this one school. At our school, the sucking up was for middle and/or high school admissions, and yes, of course these upper schools do want to hear about parental contributions to/involvement with the elementary school.

Tsk. Tsk. What were you just saying about the dangers of psychoanalyzing people? Aside from the fact that I read DCUM, you know absolutely nothing about me. It's beyond presumptuous to assume that I even care about how the auction is run, much less that it is "life altering"?!

So from your latest post, I guess you were just trolling when you made that earlier drama-queen post about how my family should leave a school because of the auctions. Pathetically dumb and attention-seeking.

Now would you care to address the substance of my posts -- that some (not all, of course) parents get involved in school activities to suck up to the school administration? Or is substance beyond you (and your fellow trolls)? If you're really a complete waste of time, maybe somebody else can offer an opinion on this.

Pointing out your own logical inconsistencies is "pathetically dumb and attention-seeking"? No wonder you find it hard to get along in your school environment! It sounds like the "substance of your posts" (as you care to call it) is that if you are right about the sucking up then you've chosen a bad school, if you're wrong then you've got a weird chip on your shoulder about other people's motives. Either way your judgment is called into question and it's no surprise that nobody likes you. There's a reason you don't have any friends at your child's school. It's you.

[Anonymous]

Troll. Let's ignore this time-wasting loser (22:17) and continue to discuss the thread topic.

[Anonymous]

People are motivated to volunteer by different things. For some it's a sincere desire to help. For others it's social climbing. And for others it's sucking up to the school (yes, it's true). Why does there have to be one single motive that applies to every single parent?

[Anonymous]

Maybe several motives even apply to the same parent. Most people aren't one-dimensional, much as some of the bitter auction-haters here like to think so.

If you don't like them, just don't go. If you hate everyone, switch schools. I doubt we'll miss you.

[Anonymous]

Or maybe they are people who have good managerial skills and ability to put on such an event.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Or maybe they are people who have good managerial skills and ability to put on such an event.

Well, the problem is that "good managerial skills" is in the eye of the beholder. I've found that such volunteers usually fit into one of three categories. Trump-like divas who treat everyone like an apprentice. Frustrated SAHMs who feel the need to apply their skills developed at Wharton that have otherwise gone unused. Facist-like drill instructors who treat all management, be it the auction, play dates, child drop offs, or interactions with poor DH as approached with military precision and exact timing, unforgiving in any mistakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or maybe they are people who have good managerial skills and ability to put on such an event.

Well, the problem is that "good managerial skills" is in the eye of the beholder. I've found that such volunteers usually fit into one of three categories. Trump-like divas who treat everyone like an apprentice. Frustrated SAHMs who feel the need to apply their skills developed at Wharton that have otherwise gone unused. Facist-like drill instructors who treat all management, be it the auction, play dates, child drop offs, or interactions with poor DH as approached with military precision and exact timing, unforgiving in any mistakes.

To what school do you send your child? Either A) your school's parents are a problem or B) you are the problem. (Or of course, C) Both.)

[Anonymous]

06:53 here. I recently attended the auction for my kids. I hadn't even realized who organized it, but the mom's who were heavily involved are nothing like what you are describing.

[Anonymous]

We always try to go to the auction. They are actually alot of fun. Plus, sometimes one can get incredible bargains on some of the less popular items. We've gotten weekends in NYC and trips to the Outer Banks for way below market price. Of course, for those items for which we pay more than FMV, we add that excess as a deduction on our taxes for the year. Perfectly legit.

[Anonymous]

So when I finally get out of my yoga pants and get a sitter, it doesn't necessarily follow that I need a new Judith Leiber bag and a gown that requires brand-new "structured undergarments," you know? I think the derisive comment above was directed at some of the over-the-topness.

Say what you will about the schools or the moms, but please don't insult structured undergarments. After childbirth, some of us need more help than others.

[Anonymous]

Something that seems to have been lost in the thread is that money from the auctions goes to very good use - often financial aid or improvements to the school. I have a friend who practically killed herself to grow the auction in our little preschool, and she was a SAHM with a professional degree who probably worked longer hours working up to the auction than I did at my 9-6 job in order to bring in more $$ for the school. I, for one, find it fun to have a few drinks, do some shopping, and gawk at people who can spend $12,000 bidding on an evening dinner with local politicos (now that we've graduated from preschool and hit the "big league" school auction circuit). But if that's not your cup of tea, just don't go.

[Anonymous]

I certainly agree that the auction money goes for very good purposes and that the folks who do the work behind the scenes no NOT deserve the treatment they get on this forum. Nonetheless, the reason I find different ways to support the school is that I really do not find it entertaining to watch people bid huge amounts of money for auction items. I am amused that they would think that I WOULD find doing so fun. I appreciate their generosity, but would also appreciate just a tad more modesty about the whole thing. But that's just me.

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, 8:34. The gawking at the rich and famous (for DC, anyway) feels a little creepy to me, too. We're happy to just write a check and hang with friends and kids.

[Anonymous]

Say what you will about the schools or the moms, but please don't insult structured undergarments. After childbirth, some of us need more help than others.


LOL! I just discovered Spanx and will wear them to our school auction.