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AIBU?

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Original poster

Generosity of the PTA.....

85 replies

whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 11:21

My son came home with a letter from school stating the whole school can go to the pantomime in December, it goes on to say that through the generosity of the PTA all children can go for just £1.50 each....wibu adding a star next to that and writing at the side *and the collective generosity of parents that support PTA fundraising events....? I just read it this morning and thought I've spent far more than that saving at all the bake sales, Christmas fayres, summer fayres etc etc and donated things for all these events so actually i have paid for the whole ticket in a round about way....

OP posts:
BrokenFairylights · 27/11/2013 12:31

Sorry but you being a bit U, if you want a say in how the money is spent join the PTA. The PTA raises the money obviously with support from parents and the school but it's ultimately up to the PTA how they choose to spend the money, provided it's for the benefit of children/school as opposed to handbags and chocolate iysmimSmile

goshhhhhh · 27/11/2013 12:35

Actually I don't think you are bu. It does get my goat a bit too.... I don't mind about how the PTA decide to spend the money but I do mind the pretence that it is a different source of funding than asking parents direct. I do wonder sometimes if it would A. be cheaper and B. a lot less hassle and c. less annoying than constantly being asked... to ask parents for an upfront amount of money at the beginning of every school year and be done with it. Except I know that you can't do that!

JennyOnAPlate · 27/11/2013 12:36

Yabu. The pta put a darn sight mote time and effort into raising money than anyone gives them credit for. If you want a say in how pta money is spent, join the pta and put some real effort in.

RunDoctorRunQuiteFast · 27/11/2013 12:36

All parents and carers are usually automatically members of the PTA, so they mean through everybody's generosity, either organising, donating or supporting events.

sausagefortea · 27/11/2013 12:45

I'm on the PTA and I don't really like that turn of phrase either.

It's meant to be highlighting that the funds raised by the PTA, largely through the generosity of parents, is being used to fund things that make a difference to the children and parents - so thanks a lot parents for supporting the PTA (and pretty please continue to support it in the future!). But how that's written it comes across all wrong....but I bet its nit meant to!

Our PTA is providing some funding for theatre trips and we (as a parent) still have to pay a fair bit so I guess your PTA hand been 'generous' if you're only required to pay £1.50! But still it is originally the parents generosity that makes that possible!

AmberLeaf · 27/11/2013 12:45

Agree with what rundoctor said.

There are always people that will complain about PTA related things though.

You could get involved more yourself and have a part in the decision making.

Sokmonsta · 27/11/2013 12:50

Yab a bit u. Due to the fundraising, the PTA coffers are subsidising at a considerable rate. They could just put half towards each ticket.

However, they could have added a thank you to all the families who have supported the PTA with their fundraising events.

Ours fundraises to pay for two whole school trips each year. I'm under no illusion as to the time and effort they put in to maximise fundraising. So their generosity isn't just down to the basic money aspect. Without their time, that money would not have been there at all.

sausagefortea · 27/11/2013 12:52

goshhhhh there's nothing to say you can't do that. But you would lose out on building up community spirit and fun for the children (and parents?!).

(Although at the risk of causing cries of "Stone the PTA martyr" and the general MN annoyance at all things PTA, I have been known to think I wish I had just donated £100 or so and not spent hours organising this event too!!!!)

NynaevesSister · 27/11/2013 12:54

Oh gosh did the school actually write the letter? It sounds like something they would say because they are so used to talking to the children, I think they sometimes forget that when writing to parents. I know that when the new climbing frame went up, the school wrote it up as being through the generosity of the PTA.

givemeaclue · 27/11/2013 12:56

Don't understand issue? Thanks to the parents support for PTA activities all kids can go panto for a tiny cost. What is wrong with that? Panto tickets for a family can cost up to £100, not everyone can afford that.

Don't be a grinch,

sausagefortea · 27/11/2013 12:57

Also.....those letters for school trips are generally sent by the school, not the PTA. So your gripe over the wording should be directed at the school! It's probably not the PTA congratulating themselves over their own generosity, but might be the school wanting to publicly thank the PTA for the time put into fundraising.

AmberLeaf · 27/11/2013 13:00

yes. The PTA at my school doesn't have any input on school letters.

tumbletumble · 27/11/2013 13:01

It's just making it clear where the money has come from (in case anyone moans that the school budget shouldn't be spent on this kind of thing). I expect when the PTA announces their annual profits they thank parents for their generosity and support? So you do get your thanks at some point!

Mintyy · 27/11/2013 13:04

I think you're just being pedantic op.

kerala · 27/11/2013 13:04

People always chirp the "we would rather give £100" line but funnily enough they never actually do....Also the kids love the events they would be really sad if there suddenly was no Christmas fair/book at bedtime etc etc. Things like that I really remember about primary school.

Also our PTA gets quite a lot from corporate sponsors due to PTA members fundraising efforts so its not all parents digging deep.

That said I agree it was oddly worded. Definitely think you should join PTA and offer to help do their newsletters so it doesn't happen again.

HuwEdwards · 27/11/2013 13:10

Not sure about unreasonable. 'Petty' seems more appropriate. Neither the school nor the PTA have the time to worry about the specific wording of every letter that is issued. You clearly know what the letter is intending to communicate, that the PTA does a good job and is advertising how the -raising events can help.

I don't work in education but I did help our PTA out for a number of years and get heartily sick of these picky criticisms.

kerala · 27/11/2013 13:16

I know Huw. Baffles me that people who volunteer to do frankly rubbish jobs (clearing up after craft fairs, humping boxes around in dusty cupboards spring to mind) in an attempt to raise money for their childrens school get moaned at and nitpicked. We have had a few priceless "suggestions" from parents of things that "we" (I me and couple of other parents who are mad enough to turn up for meetings) should do which would essentially be massive projects that would use up all of my time. Err no sod off do it yourself

Farewelltoarms · 27/11/2013 14:24

Are you a parent?
Then you're a member of the PTA - the clue's in the name.
You don't 'join' it, you just offer to help and stuff and frankly it's flipping thankless so a little bit of thanks is hardly going to kill anyone.
Jeez what is people's problem. Some parents work really hard to raise money for your child to go to the panto etc. The bitches.

Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 14:29

I know the letter is written by the school, not the PTA and I'm not being a grinch at all. I'm very glad the money from fundraising events gets used for this kind of trip! It's just that everyone does know that is the kind of thing money is being raised for...it's just the wording of it that pissed me off slightly...so mintyy you are right I am being pedantic about that! I don't think it should be worded as the PTA are generously deciding to use the money parents have in part raised for the children to do this, because that is what the fundraising is for!

OP posts:
Original poster
whydoibothersometimes · 27/11/2013 14:33

I'm not moaning about the PTA! I just think the wording could have been better. Not putting much thought into wording a letter isn't really an excuse though is it? If my son didn't put much thought into his homework he'd get moaned at....

OP posts:
NynaevesSister · 27/11/2013 14:41

Why are you moaning at the PTA if the school wrote it?

The school is clearly looking to thank the PTA for their hard work in raising the money and you are a member so that's you too.

And yes it is the generosity of the PTA - their generous donation of time, effort, items donated, items bought.

Really think you are the one with the problem here.

treas · 27/11/2013 14:47

YABU - You and all the parents of your schoo lare automatically PTA members whether you take an active role in organisation or not.

Therefore, the school was thanking all the parents.

thefirstmrsrochester · 27/11/2013 14:50

Was just coming in to say exactly what treas has said.
You are automatically a member of the PTA.

givemeaclue · 27/11/2013 14:56

The letter mentions the generosity of parents in supporting the PTA events that pay for the trip. Am I missing something I cannot see anything wrong with the letter. Parents contributions have been acknoeledged.

PTA is not a formal body ita all parents at the school. Take it you are not involved in organising events, just a sniper.

JellyBabiesSaveLives · 27/11/2013 14:57

Using PTA money to subsidise school trips is mad though, since parents generally pay for school trips. Better to spend the PTA money on something you can't get parents to pay for directly.