Do you approve of schools sending home catalogs for 4th graders to sell products to raise extra money ?

Question

Isn't this just another way to get parents to sell to coworkers and suck more money out ot the taxpaying parents?

Answer 1

The proceeds usually go to a good cause and the student's parents do most of the selling. What I have a problem with is how well the child is dealing with the rejection he or she encounters while selling door to door. I wonder how much failure a younger child feels being told "no' and having a door shut in his or her face when a prospective customer doesn't want the item. It may be a little too much for the child to handle.

Answer 2

Unless the school is in some serious financial trouble, then no, I dont think it is. When middle school hits, then its time for the fundraisers, but when they are fourth graders, they are not ready for that responsibility. They're kids! If the school needs to raise money, they need to have something that involves the whole school, like a bake sale, or have the teachers and faculty contact the parents via a meeting or a personal letter. 8 and 9 year olds shouldn't be buisnessmen and women quite yet. The only reason for this would be if the school was in some very deep financial troubles.

Answer 3

I'd recommend that if you want to put so much time into selling products or services that you pick something you have excitement about not for what WE are excited about. Make yourself known as the "go to" person for the industry. Find out about energy efficient thermostats, non toxic cleaning products, business books, cookbooks for various medical troubles, or whatever. Start writing articles and editorials that point back to you. Get a website that goes beyond just selling products but selling the features and benefits and information on the history and/or use of the products you choose. Only you know what you are into. When you fill a need you have a better chance of filling your wallet.

Answer 4

Well, I did this the first two years my son was in school. We ended up with some cheap playground equipment. I am sorry, if it was going to a good cause, like more computers for the classrooms for these AR tests the kids have to take several of a day, I wouldn't mind so bad. We spend almost $100 on school supplies then are asked to send money for magazine subscriptions for science class and boards for science fair projects and so on. If they want these fund raisers, they need to be putting the money where it will benefit the kids and stop asking us for all the extra money for all of this extra stuff that the fund raisers could take care of. We spend time in Halloween carnivals to raise money, A LOT of money and in snack bars at ball games to fund school trips. That is how our school works. Our fundraiser money does not go to field trips and very little of it goes into the class room on thing that the class room needs.

Answer 5

Yes, I do approve of fundraisers, even with public schools. Our city governments have cut back on many of the extra things that our kids used to enjoy, so the only resource they have left is to try fundrasiers. It's often the only way our kids will get to go on a field trip to a museum or to our state capitol. These funds go directly to the class for their field trip, not into the school budget. If you would attend your city and county board meetings, you would be more informed about where your taxes are being spent. Get involved in your school, as well as your local government. Make a difference where it counts. Also, if you have a better idea, take it to you kids' school and present it to their teacher. I'm sure they would appreciate the help. <*)))><

Answer 6

I think that it is because schools are so underfunded. They can not adequately provide the school supplies that kids need. These kinds of sails activities also provide funds for field trips which are so educational. I remember mine from school vividly. But... I hate having to sell to fundraise for school. I resent that schools don't have enough funding to have their needs met and we are forced to do it this way. No, I don't approve of it but not because I think it is about sucking more money from taxpaying parents.

Answer 7

I don't mind too much about helping the schools raise money, but I do think they need to limit the amount of fundraisers they do. It's hard when everyone you would sell it to is also selling something. Last year my daugther brought home a fundraiser the second week of school, and the week after it was due, she brought home another one. That's a litte over the top.

Answer 8

It is not safe for the kids to go door to door to sell. In fact they are usually told not to go door to door to sell. It is usually left up to the parents to take it to work and bother co-workers. Usually, this is not acceptable at most places of business. Besides, how much money does the school really get after the product company takes their share????There are many other ways to raise money for the school. Have a spaghetti dinner night at the school and sell the dinner tickets at the door. Have a bazaar and rent out table spaces at your school cafeteria.

Answer 9

No I don't approve of it, and yes, it is just another way to suck more money out of taxpaying parents.

Answer 10

I think it's fine. It's the same as selling girlscout cookies. I think as long as they just sell to people that their parents know and not go door to door for safety reasons it's fine. It's a good way to raise money for trips or whatever else, and it also helps keep the cost down for parents.