PTA-OOP

Tonight I took Max and Matthew to their school carnival. At their old elementary school the carnival was actually a Halloween Carnival and it was FREE and there were SOOO many things to do. It was a mad house of people in the hallways but also very organized and fun! Later in the school year there were some cool baskets with different themes, that were up for auction during the week of parent/teacher conferences and the book fair.

Well, tonight's carnival was a per-ticket carnival. 25 cents per ticket. There were only a handful of activities to choose from because the bounce houses had to be deflated due to the rain and lightning and thunder. That couldn't be helped, I "get" that but sheesh! The activities cost between 3 tickets and 8 tickets. There were only a few lame games and we had to be crammed into this tiny area. The PTA president would occasionally try to guilt everyone into bidding on the baskets by threatening that if we didn't put money into buying the baskets, our kids would have to go door to door selling cookies or something to earn money. Yeah, did I mention that the parents were the ones who donated items and money for the baskets in the first place.

SO, school just started. We all know how much it costs to get them ready for that. Then they had picture day last week. They are selling the school shirts.They were asking for those donations and money last week for the baskets. This week they wanted us to spend a fortune at the carnival. What the hell?! Why everything at the beginning of the school year. Why not spread it out a bit so people aren't so overwhelmed and irritated all at once. I'm sure I'm the only one feeling this way but sheesh, enough is enough! I couldn't help think they should rename the PTA. It should be called PTAOOP: Parents Taking Advantage of Other Parents, or something along those lines.

And what is the PTA for anyway. As far as I can tell, all of the money earned by the PTA goes towards paying for hotel fees for PTA leaders when they go to training conventions. I can't see where else it goes. Room mothers and other parent volunteers take care of class parties (including supplies and refreshments), teacher appreciation week, and pretty much everything else that goes on there. What does the PTA really do? I mean, besides come up with expensive activities to dangle in front of our children so that we look like horrible parents if we don't participate.

Seriously, if anyone can tell me something else that the PTA does that is actually worthwhile, please do so.

Ok, I'm stepping off of my soapbox now.