I'm happy that these kids are getting to go on the trip. I look forward to them doing this yearly for all of the kids. My concern and wonder is why the school has an extra $50,000 for something that will benefit such a small segment of the school when teachers are begging for computers in their classrooms, the teachers do Donors Choose for books and equipment, and families must pay $100 supply fee per child. I'm hopeful that there is a simple explanation such as a grant or benefactor came through. That would be wonderful and a great joy to announce to the school community.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
If you're a current YY parent, check the portal to see if any info has been posted. If you aren't a parent, e-mail the school and ask.

I just checked. It looks like the page was updated yesterday. It still says 11 students are attending and has no mention of the school paying $50,000.

That's because it's only reflecting who paid the first early-bird payment. The real first payment isn't due until later this month. All parents in the upper class were notified of the board donation and encouraged to attend. Several parents then emailed the lead fund-raising parent and have committed to go. Not really sure why the rest of the school or outsiders think this is their business, but oh well......

Anonymous wrote:The school is a public non-profit. They owe an explanation to every tax payer as to how the money is being spent.

The school makes an annual financial disclosure as required by law. If you have questions before the 2012 statement is released, email the school.

Anonymous wrote:The school is a public non-profit. They owe an explanation to every tax payer as to how the money is being spent.

You crack me up!! What a sense of self-importance! So if the American Cancer Society, a public, non-profit, decided to spend 50K on something they should have to run it by you first?? What??
I'm sure it will be reported in their financial statement at the end of the year, but the thought that they would run it past the public first is ludicrous.

Anonymous wrote:
If you're a current YY parent, check the portal to see if any info has been posted. If you aren't a parent, e-mail the school and ask.

I just checked. It looks like the page was updated yesterday. It still says 11 students are attending and has no mention of the school paying $50,000.

The school is a public non-profit. They owe an explanation to every tax payer as to how the money is being spent.

Anonymous wrote:Simple question: is the money coming from the operating expenses or the pockets of the board. I will be this first to stand up and cheer if the board actually takes a step to actively do something to help in this situation or any other situation. If it is coming via an an "educational expense", ie the school budget, then some explaining needs to be done promptly.

Seriously? why? The Board makes financial decisions for the school all the time. If it decided that x amount of funds should be appropriated for the trip, that's its decision. The Board doesn't owe you any explanation. Not saying you can't ask/voice an opinion, but the Board does not have to preemptively explain any decision to you. Get a grip.

It's every parent's decision as to whether their kid is ready to take the trip, but 2/3 of the class will be going. Those who don't will have school every day. What "fund-raising" is needed for that? Are you suggesting that funds be raised for them to go to school as usual? What an odd idea.

My main problem with this trip is that I consider my 10 year old to be too young to take an international trip without parents. And not all parents are able to drop everything for two weeks to accompany their children overseas. The cost is not particularly an issue for me but probably is for some. Finally, I object that virtually no thought has been given to the vast majority of this class who will NOT take the trip. No one has raised funds for them. No thought has been given to them at all.

Anonymous wrote:Simple question: is the money coming from the operating expenses or the pockets of the board. I will be this first to stand up and cheer if the board actually takes a step to actively do something to help in this situation or any other situation. If it is coming via an an "educational expense", ie the school budget, then some explaining needs to be done promptly.

If you're a current YY parent, check the portal to see if any info has been posted. If you aren't a parent, e-mail the school and ask.

Simple question: is the money coming from the operating expenses or the pockets of the board. I will be this first to stand up and cheer if the board actually takes a step to actively do something to help in this situation or any other situation. If it is coming via an an "educational expense", ie the school budget, then some explaining needs to be done promptly.

Wait. We need an answer to a question asked pages ago. Is this trip, and assorted related expenses, paid for by the individuals traveling, or are they comp'ed by the school?

Anonymous wrote:I agree. I am proud the board did this. Now I expect people to start complaining that it is unfair for the board to do this. yadda yadda, yadda.

I hope they don't complain. And, I also hope that the majority, if not all, the auction money go to help subsidize the trips in the future.

Anonymous wrote:YY boosters keep up your show. It's very entertaining.

All I can say is it reminds me of the Emperor's New Clothes, the Emperor himself and the ass-kissers around him.

You clearly don't know what you may seem like to the rest of the us.

GET A MIRROR or MEDICINE!

Yeah, I guess we can't all be as witty and all knowing as you. Oh wait....

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

How childish, misinformed and inappropriate. What's distasteful is your slandering parents who are involved and engaged and trying to support their children, their children's classmates and this school -- many of them from the very beginning. Not sure why folks want to continue spinning these myths and half truths about this trip. If you don't want your child to go---- don't go. If you want to make sure all who want to go can go --- fundraise or donate. Otherwise mind your own business, get a life or at least keep your nastiness to yourself. I presume it's just the time we live in. I find that sad and .......extremely distasteful.

What myths and half truths?

Here are a few examples -- just from this post.....won't bother to go through the other 17 pages
1) The PA was "forced" to change a date.....
2) A group of parents "threw a fit".....
3) "Less than a third of the class is able to go".....
4) The Gala date was set before the trip date.....

Will stop there for now.

Again, if you want to make sure all who want to go can go --- fundraise or donate or find a way to help -- there's still plenty of time for that! And, this would be a lot more constructive and much less distasteful than joining a committee just so you can tell folks "to go to hell". Be a part of the solution, for most people, THAT is much more palatable!

Not the person you responded to, but your 3 and 4 are in fact truths. I was at the PA meeting and the prez stated that the auction was set well before they had knowledge of the fifth grade trip. The auctioneer was already hired and on retainer. The YY portal states that 11 children have registed for the trip. There are 30 children in the class. Okay, so it is not quite a third. HMMM!!!

I was there as well....so have the benefit of the discussion and context. I was very careful to say half truths and myths because the original poster stated this as fact. The description was partial true as we have seen. The story behind the numbers if you will. Again, plenty of opportunities to be a part of the solution and learn from it all.

BTW .."verb.... to throw a fit - get very angry and fly into a rage; ". That didn't happen either. There were parents (not the only the 'infamous' 10 but other folks in attendance as well, who were concerned about the time conflict. No one, based on reasonable observation would say that folks were 'angry' or 'in a rage'. People were asking for reconsideration of the date and looking for a positive solution. Again, lots to learn and tons of opportunity to volunteer and contribute to this trip and future trips.

As always...trying to be the change I want to see. Thanks.