I like the idea of putting it in writing. And if we address it to the teacher in charge of the field trip, we cover our bases.

They really have taken on a huge thing. Our cupcake/pickle sales average about $120 a day, so they may cut into the 165, but not by very much.

I know snothead was rough, but I hate the fact that they are so rude and ugly the rest of the time and then as soon as they need something get all nice. It is so frustrating. It is like we are competing with what they did. I even tried to talk to one of them and explain that yes, we were trying to be better, but only because that is what you are supposed to do--build on each year and grow and increase and that it was not personal at all, just simply trying to be the best we can be.

Thanks for the advice. A letter is a great idea.
Brandi

GaMom - I don't think you're too biased to make a good judgement call but you may be too biased to be the one delivering the message to these 5th grade parents.

I can certainly understand your feelings. There was a small anti-PTO movement going on at my last school and it was very hard for me to remain objective when discussing anything with the parents involved.

The information presented to the 5th grade parents should be objective and fact based. It should be presented in a professional manner, perhaps in writing so you have a record for future reference. At least try not to use the word snothead again. (Although it was hysterical....)

This group of parents has set an ambitious goal for themselves. They should have a back up plan should they not be able to raise the funds but it shouldn't be a PTO bailout.

LEt 'em raise their own funds thru the school not the PTO-- our former school did a 5th grade fieldtrip at end of year and its always been a headache splittting school, PTA and 5th grade then you have 2 ask $$ to cover funds not raised.. The PTA always assisted but no PTA raised funds went to 5th grade trip -- 'cept busses (we supplied (paid for) 1 fieldtrip per class --24 classrooms K-5) Maybe the PTO could cover busses??

ok--several past PTO members currently have children in 5th grade. These are members who bash everything the PTO does, and are just outright rude to us. It is an US vs. THEM kind of thing to them. We have worked really hard to maintain pleastries and be friendly to them and try to include them, even though they outright say they won't do anything involved with PTO.

Well--our 5th grade goes on a trip every year. This year they have decided to go to Rock Eagle in December for 4 days, at a price of $165.00 PER STUDENt, as of this point. They have several room parents running a bake sale every friday and are also doing special fundraisers just for fifth grade and when they get all the money they will adjust the price. We have 5 classes of 24-26 students in each class. We are title 1, VERY low income. The parents running the bake sale are the former PTO pres and VP are are ugly to us. All of the sudden today, they started being super nice and sweet and lo and behold, wanted to know if PTO would help fund the field trip. Well, of course we don't want to. 1-if we do, then we wil have to find a way to help all the others and frankly the 5th grade one would suck us dry!!! and 2--although i shouldn't think of it like this, why in the world would we want to help these snotheads?

i guess i just want to know if i am too biased to make a good judgement call on this. We have never helped with field trips before and we were not asked to help with the bake sales they are doing or anything else they have going on. it is like they want the money and nothing else. We didn't even know about the trip till we saw a flier left in the copier. besides that, you would think that they would have found something a little more suitable since that is 2 weeks before christmas, you are asking at the least $100.00 and we are already LOW INCOME. Why can't these folks see beyond their selves?

Opinions?