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Original poster

selling poppies in primary school

54 replies

Mercedes · 09/11/2009 19:13

I was really surprised today when my dd asked me for money to buy a poppy at school. The school has never done this before and it wasn't done at my or my dp school.

Is this normal practice? What happens in other schools? Does anyone get the opportunity to present an opposite view or even buy a white poppy?

OP posts:
abra1d · 09/11/2009 19:16

Pretty normal at our state primary.

Why shouldn't children help ageing and wounded soldiers by buying a poppy? This is not political or pro-war, this is charitable for people who need help.

claricebeansmum · 09/11/2009 19:19

Poppies always for sale at DC's schools.

It signifies support of a charity to help people who made and make enormous sacrifices that we could never imagine. As abra1d says, not political, humanitarian.

Disenchanted3 · 09/11/2009 19:20

i remember buying poppies at school in the 90s.

DS hasnt asked for one but hes only in reception so not sure if they still do it or not.

trickerg · 09/11/2009 19:21

Ugh - those ** pins!!!!

claricebeansmum · 09/11/2009 19:21

My DC will also both have two minutes silence at 11am on Wednesday. I will also observe.

WhatDidISayRoy · 09/11/2009 19:22

poppies are sold at all the schools i have been to and my dc have attended.

deaddei · 09/11/2009 19:22

Normal, just as they usually have lifeboats in.

purpleturtle · 09/11/2009 19:24

Children won't be forced to buy a poppy - if you're not comfortable with it, don't send money in.

piscesmoon · 09/11/2009 19:36

All schools sell poppies and always have done-as far as I am aware and I have been into lots over the years.(I expect there are exceptions) I can't see anything to be surprised or complain about. They are not forced to take money in, they don't all take money in. If you don't want yours to take part, don't send the money. I fully expect they will have an assembly about it on Wednesday and will keep 2 mins silence-they generally do.

piscesmoon · 09/11/2009 19:39

I don't think that it is too much to ask your DC to think about those who have died, once a year. Your DC wouldn't be there, enjoying their freedoms without many people sacrificing their lives.

Original poster
Mercedes · 09/11/2009 19:40

I suppose I do think it is political. I do honour the young men who died. But that's the problem I think they were slaughtered and don't' want to support anything that glorifies the 1000's of needless deaths.

When i tried to explain to my dd my reason's why i won't buy a poppy she got really upset. Which is why I don't think they should sell them the concepts are too old for kids to understand.

I wouldn't argue against people buying poppies I just think if they have them in school then everyone should have an opportunity to present other points of view. There's nothing political about saving life at sea but war...

OP posts:
piscesmoon · 09/11/2009 19:42

Do I take it you would rather just have let Hitler in then, Mercedes? Are you not thankful that thousands of young people gave their lives to leave you free?

henryhuggins · 09/11/2009 19:42

how does it glorify war deaths? they don't!!!

and it's not a hard concept to get your head around. the red poppy.

don't buy a red poppy if you're not comfortable with it. end of. hardly think that a primary school has to offer alternatives.

do you only know about white poppies from reading it on mumsnet?

flossie64 · 09/11/2009 19:43

They do it in my DD's primary school . Infact they have just been awarded a certificate to recognise 25yrs of doing so, by the British Legion.

piscesmoon · 09/11/2009 19:43

The concepts are not too old for DCs to understand-they will no doubt have them explained on Wednesday.

madwomanintheattic · 09/11/2009 19:46

here, the schools, shops, banks etc are closed on the 11th, (it is a national day of remembrance) and all the children and parents go to the war memorial for a service.

oh, and they do sell poppies at the school.

KristinaM · 09/11/2009 19:48

yes its normal to sell them in school

i don't think anyone who buys a poppy wants to "glorify thousands of needless deaths". most people just want to help those who have been injured.

i hope that if you decide not to give, you will be making a LARGE contribution to the many charities which help civilian victims of war

MrsDinky · 09/11/2009 19:50

I have just explained to my DCs that the money goes towards helping soldiers who have been hurt in wars, I think that is sufficient at their ages (5 and 3).

Original poster
Mercedes · 09/11/2009 19:53

I wasn't intending to start up an argument about poppies I just wanted to know if this was the norm.

However I will say poppies are about the 1st world war and not about fighting nazis. I wouldn't buy a white poppy cos I'm not a pacifist but I do know my history and reading about the decisions to waste 1000s of lives in pointless attacks by General Haig and his ilk is not something I think we should forget.

When you buy a poppy you don't hear about this.

OP posts:
mumof2222222222222222boys · 09/11/2009 19:53

They have been discussing poppies and brave soldiers at my son's school. He is 5 and in reception. His father is in the Navy and about to deploy to the Middle East. It goes without saying that I think he is a good cause - it supports families and soldiers. It is to do with welfare.

See: www.britishlegion.org.uk/about-us

If you don't approve, fine don't donate. But as others have said, remember that you have benefitted from the sacrifices others have made over the years. This is not just about Iraq / Afganistan. Service personnel have died in action every single year bar 1969.

Hulababy · 09/11/2009 19:54

IME most schools sell poppies. It is not compulsary. Parents and children can chose to buy and wear one, or they can chose not to.

Most schools IMo will also explain to children why red poppies are worn.

IMO red poppies do not glorify death. Infact, if anythingm they do the opposite - they remind us why wars and conflicts ought to be the last resort. However, that is a different thread altogether.

Again, another thread really, but white poppies are not linked to remembrance day int he same way red poppies are. Therefore they are not generally sold in schools. Infact I have never seen them sold in any public place if I am honest.

hocuspontas · 09/11/2009 19:56

How would you feel about your son, still of school age and on the cusp of life, being called up, sent overseas and killed?

These are deaths that we should never forget. We remember them and honour them this week. A poppy is a symbol of a life lost in the wars against people who wanted to oppress us. What's the opposite view? The deaths were faked? Hitler was misunderstood?

piscesmoon · 09/11/2009 19:58

'I wasn't intending to start up an argument about poppies I just wanted to know if this was the norm.'

Before we get bogged down in the argument-it is the norm. They were sold when I was at school xxyrs ago and it certainly happens at every school in my LEA.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 09/11/2009 20:00

I concur, PM

Mcdreamy · 09/11/2009 20:02

Yes they were sold at my DC's primary school.