Do you agree with this 8th grade end-of-the-year tradition?

I just found out that at my son's school, on the last day of school, the 8th graders get to go to a park via limo. It costs each student $20. So, I will have to decide this time next year if I let my son go or not.

I think it really sucks because the kids from families unable to afford the money are excluded. The only way I see it fitting is if the kids had an opportunity to raise the money somehow through the school.

For example, one of my son's friends could not go because his mom has four kids, is putting herself through school, and she has to make judgement calls on monthly spending and letting him go was not feasible. My son said he was pretty sad about it.

If a student isn't being forced to go, then I don't see a problem. Class trips have to be paid for somehow. If a child can't afford to go, then it is what it is. No one said he or she can't raise the money themselves, it doesn't have to be through the school.

I'd feel bad for the kids left out but they can't earn $20 during the school year?

I think I would actually go to local businesses and try to get sponsorship--- you know.. let them say, "I sponsored five kids" or something like that.. Print up a certificate off the computer -- try to find cheap frames at the dollar store and let the shop/store whatever display it!

We did a "senior" picnic on the sports fields at the school. The teachers did all the BBQing... we had supersoakers shooting each other and it was HOT-- we threw water balloons at each other... shot silly string.. we had a lot of fun. I dont remember paying for the food... but we did do a lot of class fundraiser types of things like car washes, and candy sales etc. That type of thing is easy to do.. and joe corbi pizza sales... if a kid sold 9 or 10 pizzas it would cover the park trip.

wants2laugh wrote:We did a "senior" picnic on the sports fields at the school. The teachers did all the BBQing... we had supersoakers shooting each other and it was HOT-- we threw water balloons at each other... shot silly string.. we had a lot of fun.

That sounds like a good time. You students had fun and the teachers got a free wet T-shirt contest.

HAHAHA.... it was actually a lot of fun.. we played touch football with the teachers and the moved the volleyball net outside... it was truly awesome... what infuriates me is that i had a ton of pics from it... and they were destroyed in the floor

They should have some fund raiser during the course of the year for the kids that can't afford to go.