School asking parents to decorate classes

[CaraFara]

I've just received an email from my daughters secondary school asking for volunteers to go in next weekend to paint some of the classrooms. Am I wrong to think Wtf? I am pretty sure my parents were never asked to do this. I know money is tight but surely this is just part and parcel of maintaining the building. What next, when I go to the doctors am I expected to do a spot of gardening whilst there?

My child’s school asked parents to help with painting a few months ago, I don’t see the problem- it saved them some money.

I don’t see the issue tbh. It’s an easy way to help out, prob quite sociable and fun. They need to save money somewhere.

And I remember my parents doing the school gardening at one point, it’s not a new phenomenon.

Don’t schools have caretakers anymore?

You can look at it as contributing to your own community.

Ours ask us in to paint classrooms during the hols, also to do other bits like gardening and helping move furniture. I thought it was normal. We are all donating one daffodil bulb this autumn for them to plant.

If you ask the caretaker to do it you will have to pay them. Maybe they are doing other jobs around the school/on leave etc.
I don’t see anything wrong with it provided a risk assessment has been done and it’s only the time that has been asked for. The more parents who do it the quicker it will be and if there’s no money in the Buildings budget it’s better than having a tatty classroom.
I’ve shovelled snow from the school carpark so teachers can get safely in and out, marshalled parking at Events to save money, painted bits, done gardening, constructed shelves........part of supporting the school community, really.

I remember my Dad painting the outside of my primary back in the 70s too, so not a new thing, as a pp says.

I don't know about secondary schools but at my dcs primary they often have parents doing stuff around the school, parents with trades seem quite happy to help out, it's not really any different to parents who are on the PTA. Both are helping the school out in ways that suit them best.

It sounds like a great way to get to know other parents and support the school.

You’re right money is tight and the budget doesn’t stretch to cover everything. Yes in an ideal world of course they shouldn’t have to rely of parents free labour but that’s not the world we live in.

I'm sure it isn't compulsory so if you don't fancy it just say no.

Many schools can hardly afford glue, pens, or indeed enough teachers. It's hardly surprising they aren't able to pay a decorator. By all means be outraged, but at the government not the school.

My husband's sch had a tidy up day last year. Lots of parents helped with various cleaning, tidying, decorating, gardening and diy tasks. The sch really appreciated all the help. It saved an absolute fortune and the sch looked fantastic at the end. If you have a problem with it then don't volunteer. But sch budgets are really tight so this is one way they can save money.

1. You don’t sound very community spirit.
2. Money is tighter in eduction than you can probably imagine.

But surely if all the parents start doing this there is no incentive for the government to cough up? Like I said, will we be expected to a spot of gardening the next time I go to the docs? It's bizarre.

The government won’t cough up anyway-the school will just get more and more scruffy.

It's not a matter of being community spirited. I go to work and pay taxes. That's what should be used to pay for schools.

I just had no idea this was so widely accepted.

Would you rather be asked for a cash contribution, or to volunteer for yet another fund raiser?

I think it sounds great! They should get the pupils involved too!

Yeah probably budget related but I'm sure back in the older days when communities were cohesive this sort of thing went on all the time and no one batted an eyelid.

The Govt are never going to fund education properly. So do we let our dc sit in dingy classrooms or give half a day to spruce them up?
I’d plant bulbs at my GPs too, as a community thing. Why not? Public services are part of our community.
I’m sure the school don’t expect everyone to help out, just the parents who want to or are able to.

I used to work in a primary school and we asked parents for toilet rolls as we were so short of money. We got hundreds! My office was the toilet roll store for some months!
Yes, we do pay taxes but unfortunately they have to go further and further with so much being expected of the state so if your school needs some help they can ask. It's up to you whether you step up or not.

It's not a matter of being community spirited. I go to work and pay taxes. That's what should be used to pay for schools.

Unless you have an exceedingly good job, with a child you will be a net taker out of the tax system.

And having nicely painted classrooms isn't really key to education, but does make a nicer environment for your child. So you might want to consider being a bit nicer and helping out.

You sound like the 'my taxes should pay for [x] in school' troll that pops up every now and again. #boring

Completely agree our taxes should provide adequate funding for schools. However, they don’t. Maybe you could invest your time and effort into lobbying for change rather than wielding a paintbrush?