School, and balloon releases, and what seems like wilful bloody minded ignorance!

[QueenOfFarkingEverything]

Last year, my DD's school wanted to do a balloon release fundraiser. I had a thread about it and I objected and sent them loads of information and a leaflet suggesting alternatives, and it was dropped.

Today, I get an email. They are planning another balloon release as they feel confident that they have found 'environmentally friendly balloons' to release. Clearly they didn't read ANY of the information I helpfully sent last year and are dead set on doing it for some unfathomable reason.

I'm objecting again but frankly God knows why I'm bothering as clearly they are convinced they know better than the RSPCA, RSPB, Marine Conservation Society, Beachwatch, National Farmers Union, Tidy Britain Group, the Shark Trust, WWF, several local councils....

cow killed by Red Nose Day Balloon

Actually, I think that Telegraph article might clinch it if you show this to the school Queen

Oooh hiddenhome I've just emailed that article to the school. The fear of litigation will no doubt get results where appealing to reason has failed [sigh]

DOn't you need permission to do balloon releases from the local authority (or someone)? if a lot are released they pose a threat to aviation.

Yes, good luck, I hate balloon releases with a passion.

Me and dh were at the beach once and some people pulled up in a car, got out and then went to the edge of the dunes and released some pink balloons with people's names written on ? dead family members. They then walked off, got back in their car and drove away. I collected the balloons (which hadn't blown away), popped them and put them into the public bin.

I respect people's rights to remember family members, but not if it's going to lead to the possible deaths of sea creatures or birds

A business near us did a balloon race thing. The "winning" balloon killed a sheep.

Send them an anonymous letter (cut out of newspapers for added effect)...

For every piece of litter you scatter into the sky, I will drop 5 empty crisp packets in your playground as a protest mwahahahahahaha

Name and shame the school and we'll email to support your objections!

Not going to out myself to that degree pinkr

I have emailed. And my 10 yr old has written out letters to give to children in her class about why she thinks it is a Bad Idea.

I hate balloon releases, aside from the environmental impact, my friends horse was put to sleep because of one.

A balloon got caught on the fence post in his field, he panicked and tried to jump out of the field. He caught his back leg and tore it to ribbons and as a result the vet was called.

Ever since then I have hated them, bloody lantern things too.

I remember the original thread,

Unbelievable the school are being this stupid.

I went through the same thing last year and although the school did go through with the balloon release as loads of kids had paid their money for a balloon, they did have the good grace to admit it wasn't well thought out. I think the phone call from the Marine Conservation Society to the Head hit a nerve

Get in touch with the MarineCS. They'll do the dirty work for you.

OP, can't you get your dd and her friends on board?

IME children get very emotional about wildlife and the school might listen to them where they don't listen to parents.

YANBU.

As you point out, the balloons being biodegradable doesn't counter all the other good arguments against a balloon release event. And as a PP points out, they're not going to biodegrade immediately and will still be hazardous to animals / create litter until they are degraded.

I spent this afternoon trying to get 2 "biodegradable" chinese lanterns out the shrubs in my back garden.
The paper in them shreds.
So you let off a light to remember a friend or loved one then I get to look out at a mess similar to toilet papering a tree.
The wood and string tangles round branches.
Picked up balloons too

DD is very much on board - she's handing out her own heartfelt pleas on behalf of dolphins tomorrow to all her classmates

Do you feel up to getting a petition going? It's a cause worth informing people about but I appreciate not everyone wants to channel their inner eco warrior to get things changed properly though.

It's great to keep offering up alternatives - it takes away from the whole 'killjoy' stereotype.

I'm sure there's a proper name for the game but the kids could form teams or have one great big line round the school passing balloons between their knees and getting sponsered for it, or how about getting the artier members of the school to make a big frame of whatever the school logo is and asking people to buy a balloon to make it a massive balloon logo - make it the centre piece of the school sports day or summer fete.

Something different would get more attention and probably raise more money anyway.

Good for her, Queen

She's skipped off into school to hand them out this morning

I did have a fleeting moment of worry about the other parents thinking I was responsible for it and it seeming a little pointed, but then decided that if they are too dopey to have understood any of what I said last time round then its fair enough to let a 10 yr old explain it to them.