Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Teachers (Union) and Their Communities":
Stratford Road had a recession-friendly family picnic this Friday. Families came together with no frills. No DJ. Bring your own food. The kids had a great time. Less can be more.
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Personally, I think many events the kids attend nowadays whether they be private birthday parties or school events, have gotten way out of control. More frills often equates with less interaction between people.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that less can be so much more.
PTA should have told parents that it was no frills so they would have known to bring food.
ReplyDeleteHow come Teacher Appreciation wasn't no frills?
I agree! While I appreciate that the PTA put a party together, Pasadena's end of fourth grade party is $30 a head. Am I the only parent that feels that is a bit over the top? What happened to paper streamers and a boom box in the gym at night? (Especially in this down economy.)
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that it took 2 seconds to make this wonderful family fun night a bad thing...there is always someone not happy and they all seem to be on this blog. For all of you who complain, next time step up to head the committee. The 4th grade party can be just what you want if you are involved instead of complaining.
ReplyDelete$30 a head for the Pasadena party is crazy...get the PTA to go in there and talk to Ms Miller! How did they let this get aproved? Kids just need a few simple activities or games...and they are happy! I think sometimes peole just do what they did the previous year to keep things easy...it is ok to break tradition!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness someone else wrote what I was thinking. One person writes how great it was that the event was No frills and BAM someone else complains they didn't know that it was no frills. They liked the idea, but needed more notice. Am I the only one who thinks that many people on this blog are unhappy with any activity, event, curriculum unless it was DESIGNED and or THOUGHT UP by them. If we look for faults in everything, faults we will find. Is the cup half empty or half full?
ReplyDeleteI highly doubt the kudos expressed toward the Stratford picnic was meant to become controversial. Ok, if BYO food wasn't specified, that's a legitimate point that can easily be fixed in the future.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the Pasadena party goes, perhaps next year they can follow Stratford's lead.
For the past several years, Stratford Rd. had a school party with a DJ and food vendor. This year, these were absent. People showed up without food and we were not notified. This is not just a disappointment to all the kids expecting a DJ, but also to the parents who arrived without food for their kids and planned to buy food as we have done in years past. Many parents left with their kids because it was easier to leave and feed them at home instead of leaving picnic to run a buy food. Why did PTA avoid the picnic altogether? Of course, kids play where there are other kids and a playground, but at least we should have been notified in a letter that this year we had to bring our own food. Especially since all the years past, there WAS a DJ and food. We expected this again as usual. PTA knew the real deal but kept all quiet? Why not send an email to all as they do for everything else? No one is complaining, just stating fact and asking why no one was informed. Not looking for faults, just stating facts and basing what was expected vs. what didn't happen. It's like going to the movies but no one is selling popcorn. What a disappointment.
ReplyDeleteSome people were happy with the Stratford picnic and others weren't. Some parents are OK paying $30 for an end of year party and others don't see the point. The blog voices all opinions not just "glass is half full" ones.
ReplyDeleteYou can agree or disagree with anything on this blog but no one should ever tell people that they shouldn't write their opinion about something on this blog because someone decides that they are complaining about the "glass being half empty."
Writing into a blog just to stifle freedom of expression is very negative. It's unAmerican. We'd still be British subjects paying taxes on tea with thinking like yours. Women wouldn't have the right to vote and the Civil Rights movement wouldn't have happened either.
What did happen to the DJ and food truck at the Stratford Picnic? Why didn't PTA show up? Was there money in the budget for a DJ? When did the picnic traditions get changed? How come no one told the parents what to expect? Why do we need DJs to enjoy a picnic? Why do 4th grade end of year parties have to be so costly? Why not ask these questions? What's the big deal?
To the person who doesn't believe in looking at faults - if we aren't willing to look at faults or mistakes, we will ever learn or improve?
Do our kids need a DJ giving away shirts to have a good time? If they do it's a sad reflection on us as parents. I think parties have becomes a competition of who can spend more, do more and we lose sight of what's important - being together for the sake of being together. No frills necessary.
ReplyDeleteThat said, having hungry kids at dinner time is not cool. Parents needed to know that there wasn't going to be a food available at the picnic. PTA dropped the ball on that one. No committee or chairpeople necessary - it just needed to be on the note that went home - BRING YOUR OWN FOOD!
On the one hand, the change in picnic plans should have been made more clear so parents knew what to bring/expect. On the other hand, those that plan these things are volunteers giving their own time. It may be going a bit overboard to harshly condemn them for this oversite. At this point, after the fact, I think it's important to bring it up to the PTA board so they know for next year. Beyond that, taking them to task over it may be a bit much.
ReplyDeleteEveryone is entitled to voice their opinions. It doesn't look to me like anyone is trying to stifle freedom of expression here. I agree that sometimes the negativity on this blog can go too far. Yes, whoever wants to voice their disappointment has a right too but it's unlikely the oversite was deliberate. If it were me, I'd politely let the PTA know of the oversite, give them the benefit of the doubt and move on to other more important things. There is indeed much room for improvement in our school district. This, although worthy of mention, doesn't need to become a major controversy within our community.
This is not just an oversight. A notice of the picnic was sent out. And there was no contact info on the flyer either. Nothing here was planned except the date was on the school calendar. Parents and kids showed up and made the best of it. There was no plan and that is the problem. These comments are not stirring controversy. HAving no food cannot be called an oversight. Sorry. For the past several years, having food to buy was status quo. Things this year are very different from previous years at Stratford Rd.
ReplyDeleteThe flyer which came home on June 2 - 2 days before the event said:
ReplyDeleteStratford's 17th Annual Family Picnic
Friday June 4, 2010
5:30-7:30pm
Rain or Shine
Pack your blankets and picnic baskets
Bring your music and munchies and
Join all your friends on the field behind Stratford Road for an evening of fun under the sun!
No direct mention of the changes to the annual event and the lack of food for sale
Stratford Road Family Night was on the school district calendar for January 29 and it never happened and although it was promised to take place at another time the year is pretty much over so it seems like it will not.
How much money was budgeted for these 2 events and where is the money?????
Our family supports PTA financially by joining and buying during fundraising events. We expect that things that we are helping to raise money for actually happen.
Good points...all of the above, all sides, good points.....
ReplyDeleteTo all who have expressed their disappointment and/or anger over the Stratford picnic, where do you want to go with this? Do you want the PTA to handle notices/picnics/events differently in the future? That would be a perfectly reasonable expectation. If so, have you told them this? There is certainly nothing wrong with making them aware of what you think and how you feel.
ReplyDeleteBeyond that, how far do you expect take this? Do you want a public apology? Should those involved with planning the picnic and/or creating the notice be barred from ever planning an event again? What is it that the PTA owes you at this point? Would you prefer to be in charge next time?
To the person who expressed concern over the PTA's spending records, you are within your rights to request an investigation of their financial books. Nobody could fault you for doing that. If you find discrepancies, then by all means publicize them. There is a chance though that you might not. Perhaps it's a better idea to ask them the questions you have about their budgetary plans first. Otherwise, you're condemning them without all the facts. Not sure that's really fair.
Sure, let the person who handled the event apologize to all the kids who were disappointed with no DJ and no food. Good idea. Poor planning = poor party. If the one in charge needs help, then shouldn't the PTA Board step in to help any school event, especially ones on the calendar? It is obvious that this event needed help early on. Someone dropped the ball and yes, others were disappointed and angry. This is a blog. Hopefully, the comments about the picnic point out the need for advance planning and leadership.
ReplyDeleteTo 8:29 PM
ReplyDeleteOn one hand you say that it's OK to question PTA finances but then you go on to say that to pose a question publicly is "condemning them without all the facts." To borrow your next statement - not sure that's really fair.
A few things could have happened.
(1) There was never money budgeted for the DJ and people that assumed this tradition was going on were wrong
In this case, PTA could have made this clear at the meeting before the event and/or in the flyer.
(2) There was money budgeted for a DJ but there was no money in the budget to actually do it
Again - just let parents know the situation - everyone has come up short financially at some time in their life and had to give up something.
(3) There was money budgeted for the DJ and money was available and it somehow didn't happen
PTA is a volunteer army. Tell people what happened. Most will probably be more understanding than you'd probably give them credit for.
Some people felt that certain people knew what was going on with the picnic and it purposely wasn't shared with everyone.
No one wants to feel excluded.
No one wants to feel that they didn't have what they needed for their kids. This is obviously more about the food truck not being there and some people assumed that they could buy food and didn't bring any. Luckily an ice cream truck came by so no one had to actually starve so long as they were willing to be flexible.
PTA has an obligation to try their best and whatever happens, just be honest about it. The world is not going to come to an end because there wasn't a DJ at a picnic. Asking about what happened is not a witch hunt. It might have been better if the questions got answered before they were posed.
However a picnic or other event goes on in the future can be determined by a consensus of the PTA memebership or by the committee for the event. That's up to the leadership of the PTA and how they want to run things.
As far as involvement, no one should have the right to bar any volunteer. There have been other events that have developed into awkward situations and have resulted in volunteers feeling badly and imposing a self-exile on themselves. Less volunteers and less involvement means less for the kids.
Which is too bad since PTA is about the kids and parents can get alot out of volunteering.
You learn from mistakes and misunderstandings if you want to. Sometimes it's a more valuable experience when things don't work out than when they do.
Stratford PTA should send out a statement to all families about what went on. Stop the rumors with an official story.
ReplyDeleteTo the person's comments regarding the flyer which came home on June 2 - 2 days before the event said:
ReplyDeleteStratford's 17th Annual Family Picnic
Friday June 4, 2010
5:30-7:30pm
Rain or Shine
Pack your blankets and picnic baskets
Bring your music and munchies and
Join all your friends on the field behind Stratford Road for an evening of fun under the sun!
Your upset because it didn't directly mention the changes to the annual event and the lack of food for sale?
What did you want it to say in the "flyer"? Sorry -- no DJ or food vendor this year? Everything that needed to be covered in the flyer was there. It was a picnic not a party. Bringing your own blanket and food (and music if you want) is what people bring to a picnic. You make of it what you want and it is obvious what you've made of it. Get over it.
There has been a DJ for years at the picnic. What happened this year?
ReplyDeletePlease stop defending what happened. Everyone knows that Stratford PTA has been a problem ALL YEAR. Friends nominating friends to be on a nominating committee to nominate friends is why we have this problem. Whoever wanted the GLORY of being on PTA should know that they need to take on the RESPONSIBILITY of what that means - running events, signing names on flyers so parents have someone to call with questions, get information out to EVERYONE and BE A LEADER.
ReplyDeleteWow! What whiners! All of you need better uses of your time.
ReplyDeleteI'd say the flyer was pretty clear about what was going on. It differed from other years-so what? How about in the future all the complainers take the time to join & participate in the PTA?
ReplyDeleteRaise your hand if you volunteered to help out with the Stratford Road picnic. Oh, you didn't? So stop complaining about everything. You want a successful event, YOU volunteer your time. Let's see what happens next year with just a different group of "friends nominating friends to be on a nominating committee to nominate friends"
ReplyDeleteThe attitude of this year's PTA is very clear in these posts. Listen to youself and you'll see why volunteers stayed away.
ReplyDeleteHow much help was really needed to call a DJ and make arrangements similar to whatever happened the year before and call a food truck and tell them when to show up????
No one on the executive board would step up and take care of this? An event for the entire school? Every one wants a title and no one wants to get their hands dirty. They'd rather just let the event fail and then blame people for not volunteering.
Along with the No DJ and No Food picnic (it's not a party remember it's a picnic!!! munchies!!! listen to your own music as if you're with strangers on the beach!!!)
other new traditions at Stratford this year -no Family Night Out (same excuse- no one wanted to volunteer to run it so it didn't happen!!!), the PARP gift came home in June but PARP was months ago and kids used to get something the last day of PARP week and less pretzel sales.
Let's see what happens next year when people who have track records of working hard are are known to be dedicated will be back in PTA. Events won't wait until the last minute or fall into cracks. People will volunteer. It will be awesome.
Looking forward to the "awesome" year. Can't wait to see all the wonderful changes from the hard working dedicated people from next year's PTA and all their volunteers will bring. KUDOS ahead of time.
ReplyDeleteTo the person who wrote "What whiners.....," you made me laugh. I agree many on this blog need to get out more.
ReplyDeleteI must admit though that I'm a little jealous of all those who are so up in arms about this whole thing. My life should be such that a school picnic would be so high up on my list of necessities (right up there with health and financial stability) that it would bother me so.
To 12:20 p.m.
ReplyDeleteThe attitude of next year's PTA is also very clear in these posts.
Interesting that someone who says that "many on this blog need to get out more" has time to belittle others. What makes you qualified to you judge people on what they want to talk about? Did you just come back from a discussion about of world peace and global warming? Get off your high horse and don't bully people into stopping to talk about what they want to. An event for an entire school was botched up and your reaction is to be sarcastic to people that this bothered who actually looked forward to and placed importance on a PTA event. Too bad the PTA didn't place as much importance on the picnic as the participants did and PTA didn't place importance on the participants either. That's what everyone is angry about. PTA not caring.
ReplyDeleteWell said!
ReplyDeleteThese posts are discussing the Stratford picnic and the costs of end-of-year parties and posts from people on the sidelines who are not adding to the discussion other than to make fun of who talks about what should not be posted.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has the right to speak about their concerns, opinions, etc whether they are in agreement with the majority or not. Everyone also has a right to voice their opinions about comments made, the choice of topics chosen or basically whatever they wish to share on this blog.
ReplyDeleteWhile I can understand and respect the disappointments about the Stratford picnic expressed here, I can also understand and respect the ideas shared about how the expression concerns, although legitimate, are starting to become a bit over the top. Beyond letting the PTA board know of your dissatisfaction and expectations for next year, what more is there to discuss?
Remember that the PTA is a group of volunteers. Anyone who is dissatisfied with the job they're doing is welcome to step up and get involved next year. There's only so far one can go taking them to task on this. So far there have been a little over 30 posts on this one topic. Is there nothing else in our town that is worthy of so much attention?
Of course, these are legitimate concerns. We are all absolutely within our rights to discuss whatever we want to discuss. What needs to happen for those on this blog to move on?
All of this is dispicable. The PTA is made up of volunteers, some who work, some who don't. They do this on their free time, both for the children and their parents. It is very easy to be a sideline quarterback on a blog and belittle the work they do. But, saying what you are saying, on a blog, does not help any one, what it does is show how little you, the complainer, has done. If you wanted something done to your "liking", you should have stepped up, been on a committe, voiced your suggestions and helped out with the event. As the person who wrote the original comment, starting all of this, said: "Families came together with no frills. No DJ. Bring your own food. The kids had a great time. Less can be more." Bottom line: The kids had a great time. Isn't that what it is all about?
ReplyDeleteNothing ever fell in the cracks in years past at Stratford PTA. PTA was always volunteers. What happened this year? Did other schools have the same problems?
ReplyDeleteHow about a new thread for this one?
ReplyDeleteWent to the Stratford "in school" picnic yesterday. All went well. Kids, parents, PTA/class parents were all great. A little hot but that's what happens in June.
The teachers weren't really watching the kids. Ok, many had parents there but some did not. Whose responsibility is it to supervise those kids? Most moms and dads watched their own children. Some did not. I noticed a fight between 4 kids, two of whom had no family members in attendance. As they were fighting over my child's ball, albeit without my child playing with them, I retrieved the ball. They kept fighting (physically). Whose job was it to be watching them?
Also, the parents were parking on the field, nothing wrong with that. Kids were running over to that area to retrieve balls, play hide and seek around cars. Nobody seemed bothered by this. Shouldn't there have been a greater distance between the picnic and the parking? The field is so large. Not the safest situation.
Not one administrator stopped by to greet parents, make sure the picnic was running smoothly. Not the best for PR but whatever.
A Stratford event during school hours with no administrator showing face - No surprise.
ReplyDeleteIf the cars were parked right next to the picnic with nobody monitoring where the kids were going, that's VERY dangerous.
If the event took place during school hours, it's the school's responsibility to be supervising the children regardless of whose parents were and were not there. Yes, the parents have some responsibility for their own children but during school hours the liability rests with the school not the parents.