Have name changed as the situation is very specific. DC is in year 1 at a lovely school, but we've just received notice that a school 'trip' will be taking place to a local food bank. The school have asked for us to pay for transport (not a problem) and have gone on to say that the children will be packing food, handing out food parcels and seeing behind the scenes of a large local food bank.
We live in a middle class area with a minimal number of DC on pupil premium but there are certainly families within school community who are on the breadline and may have used food banks. I think it's fucking crass for the school to be using a food bank as a spectacle?! We donate weekly financially and feminine hygiene products, but the school don't seem to have thought this through at all, what if one or more of the DC in the 3 year 1 classes have visited that food bank?! How do I word these concerns without being 'that' parent? Or AIBU and overthinking?
The 'trip' is designed to fit in with a superhero topic at school - the food bank volunteers are being framed as the superheroes (tenuous link?) the food bank volunteers are amazing, but this feels wrong on so many levels.
AIBU?
To think this school trip is badly misjudged
MaoamAddict · 25/01/2023 22:30
Aprilx · 26/01/2023 06:24
Not everybody loves kids. I don’t particularly and if I needed a food bank and saw a bus load of children helpers at the food bank, I would turn around and go without.
Maybe you have never been poor, I am not poor now but I grew up poor. And I did feel ashamed and embarrassed about it. And actually children can be quite cruel and I was often mocked for having no money and being on free school meals. Now should I have felt ashamed, well no of course not, but it doesn’t change the reality. I think your post lacks an understanding of reality.
Abasnada · 25/01/2023 22:38
People love kids. You’re projecting the idea that food bank use is some kind of shameful embarrassing activity. It might be for some people but the reality is I think everyone understands.
The kids aren’t going to make people feel ashamed they are just going to go in and help out.
Thesenderofthiscard · 26/01/2023 11:22
Don't see the issue. Using a food bank isn't shameful. It's now part of life, and even MC children should know that. They're learning about volunteering, among other things.
Tell the school you don't want your kid going if you think it's that bad.
MaoamAddict · 25/01/2023 22:34
No, please don't think this is me not wanting my Dc 'exposed' to the food bank, we donate weekly, speak to DC about how fortunate we are etc. my worry is that if I was a vulnerable person using a food bank, I wouldn't want to see 90 5-6 year olds there for a school trip like it was entertainment?!
MaoamAddict · 25/01/2023 22:30
Have name changed as the situation is very specific. DC is in year 1 at a lovely school, but we've just received notice that a school 'trip' will be taking place to a local food bank. The school have asked for us to pay for transport (not a problem) and have gone on to say that the children will be packing food, handing out food parcels and seeing behind the scenes of a large local food bank.
We live in a middle class area with a minimal number of DC on pupil premium but there are certainly families within school community who are on the breadline and may have used food banks. I think it's fucking crass for the school to be using a food bank as a spectacle?! We donate weekly financially and feminine hygiene products, but the school don't seem to have thought this through at all, what if one or more of the DC in the 3 year 1 classes have visited that food bank?! How do I word these concerns without being 'that' parent? Or AIBU and overthinking?
The 'trip' is designed to fit in with a superhero topic at school - the food bank volunteers are being framed as the superheroes (tenuous link?) the food bank volunteers are amazing, but this feels wrong on so many levels.
Favouritefruits · 26/01/2023 10:03
You sound like you think people visiting food banks should be feeling embarrassed? Why would a adults asking for help cause them to feel anything towards children helping out at a food bank?
Don’t want to miss threads like this?
Weekly
Sign up to our weekly round up and get all the best threads sent straight to your inbox!
Log in to update your newsletter preferences.
You've subscribed!
Getinajollymood · 26/01/2023 08:55
Depends what the Christmas presents drive is.
Other people’s suffering should not be used as either education or entertainment. Ever.
sashh · 26/01/2023 09:43
Why?
Lots of things like trips / activities have more than one outcome.
In some US elementary schools the children used to get a visit from the police who would teach them about finger prints, they then finger print the class. The child then took their fingerprint card home.
What the children didn't know was that it was so if they went missing the parent could hand over set of fingerprints to the police and parents had given permission.
It's gone out of favour as DNA is much better at identifying people.
As for the worry about uncle Jim or granny walking in, the food bank will either be closed or it will have volunteers role playing or someone that has used it and is happy to discuss it.
saraclara · 26/01/2023 02:06
And now words fail me.
Good night.
sashh · 26/01/2023 02:02
OP
I think you should turn this on its head.
After the visit 'that child' now knows where the food bank is, what it does and can relay that to a parent in an excited small child way.
saraclara · 26/01/2023 02:06
And now words fail me.
Good night.
sashh · 26/01/2023 02:02
OP
I think you should turn this on its head.
After the visit 'that child' now knows where the food bank is, what it does and can relay that to a parent in an excited small child way.
To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.