I don't think it has actually been a whole month since there was a request for money. It's just that I've been busy. Here's what I have:
1. I bought some paper plates for a class craft project. Can't find that receipt now...darn. Let's say it was $3.00. It was probably more than that.
2. Got a letter requesting contributions for a class gift for the teacher. Not going to participate this year. We got her our own $10 gift. (Our classic movie pack.)
3. Same letter asked for $1 contribution for a gift the kids are making for their parents. Is it really a gift if we are paying for it??
4. Speaking of paying for my own gift, I sent money today for the holiday gift shop so that AD could buy something for me, dad and brother. He generously contributed $3 of his own, so I added $5 to each of his dollars for a total of $18.
5. The kids are building mini gingerbread houses at school. We were asked to provide thin Twizzlers. Got a pack of those for $1.83 plus tax.
6. I already picked up my plates and napkins for the winter holiday party. Those cost a total of $7.62 plus tax.
7. Oh, and I almost forgot - I've been doing these adorable bulletin boards with the kids' pictures. Last month I had each child's photo looking like a Pilgrim and the teacher looking like a Native American. This month, I have a tinsel tree with the teacher as the star at the top and each child as an ornament on the tree. I think it's cute! Only problem is I'm paying for the photo paper and ink for all of these pictures. In the spreadsheet I'll include $10.95 for the paper, but nothing for the ink.
8. And this week AD was the star of the week. That means we had to put together a poster of pictures about himself. I tried not to spend too much on that, but I had to use black foam core and not just a sheet of poster board...I couldn't help myself! Being star of the week also means that he gets to treat the whole class to snacks today. We bought fruit roll ups and Lego fruit snacks. That cost $10.38 plus tax.
9. Now I'm just getting started with this week's notes:
Holiday Night Lights - $7 per car. Probably won't do this. We'll see...
Breakfast with Santa - $11 per child, $6 per adult. No thanks.
Holiday Extravaganza - $4 per person. This actually sounds kind of interesting and includes a pancake breakfast.
Ugh. It's going to take me forever to tally all of this in the spreadsheet!
Friday, December 7, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Back By Popular Demand?!
Who are these people? Market Day is Back - apparently by popular demand. This is a program where you can order "restaurant quality and bulk supply name brand products to be picked up directly from convenience of your school [directly from convenience of your school? That's what it says!] once a month. 10% of each sale goes to our school, which adds up quickly." Apparently, if I spend $100 on food from Market Day this month, my teacher will receive 100 points. It is also strongly recommended that I buy a pie to donate to a local shelter. The pies range from $9 to $11 each. This all sounds lovely, but...I'll put in the spreadsheet that I have rejected $35 each month, which seems to be the suggested minimum order, per the "frequent buyers" program.
I am going to turn in $12 for the D.A.R.E. dinner. Advertising pays off - I think I received 10 fliers about this event!
I am going to turn in $12 for the D.A.R.E. dinner. Advertising pays off - I think I received 10 fliers about this event!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Happy Halloween!
The first grade "harvest" party was today...it was fun.
Of course all of the parents contribute to the party. I bought plates and napkins on sale last year, so I don't honestly remember now how much I spent...I think I'll put $5 into the spreadsheet, though. That's pretty conservative. I've also added our bookfair expenditures - which we enjoyed on parent/teacher conference day and the subsequent holidays from school!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
As IF......!
This 5th grade D.A.R.E. dinner is really milking us: Now, AS IF buying candy and tickets to the event weren't enough, we can also buy raffle tickets! I won't be surprised if we get a note tomorrow asking for raffle donations!
I have added a running total to the spreadsheet. It is pretty interesting to note that we could have easily spent $1000 on AD during the first two months of this school year. And somewhat disturbing to note that we have already spent over $350.
I have added a running total to the spreadsheet. It is pretty interesting to note that we could have easily spent $1000 on AD during the first two months of this school year. And somewhat disturbing to note that we have already spent over $350.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Where has this month gone?!
Tonight when my outraged friend asked, "Can you believe all of the notes from school we've gotten lately, asking for money?" I knew it was way past time for me to post...
I've updated the spreadsheet.
In old business:
We spent only $9.61 at McDonald's night. On just the kids. I'm guessing I spent more on gasoline waiting in the drive-thru than the school actually got back from our purchase. But we were there, in solidarity with all of the other Green Tree devotees!
AD didn't go to the movie night, so I moved that $5 from the accepted to the rejected column.
The class field trip was windy and cold, but so fun. The little bro and I drove separately from the school buses and spent $11 on ferry rides across the river(s) to get to the orchard. Money well spent, though. Made some memories...priceless. (That money will NOT appear in the spreadsheet, fyi.)
That 5th grade D.A.R.E. function is becoming a regular backpack filler. Now they are asking for donations to create the party that we will later pay to attend. First grade families are to provide a bag of candy for them to give out as prizes for the games the kids will play.
And new business:
The computer class is sending home "book-order" forms for computer software. If we expose our child to computers and other technology at home, we will give them an advantage in today's increasingly high-tech world...according to the note. It looks like most of the games cost about $29.95, so that is how much I am rejecting at this time. (We have a computer, we have some games, we have the Internet. Honestly, does he need more?) Notes came home twice on this one, it must be important.
Then school will be out for a couple of days this week and next. We have the opportunity to enroll our child in a school-day program, which was designed for working parents, at the great rate of $25 per day, per child. I'll just take the day off this time.
Oh, and I must not forget that the fall Book Fair is currently underway. I guess most parents just send the kids to school with some money for this. I plan to be there, monitoring his choices, though. We'll do this shopping together this week.
And finally, the SECOND fall fund raiser. I spent $34. And that after this weekend's sermon on simplicity. But the cover of the catalog clearly states: Solutions to Simplify Your Life. HA!
I've updated the spreadsheet.
In old business:
We spent only $9.61 at McDonald's night. On just the kids. I'm guessing I spent more on gasoline waiting in the drive-thru than the school actually got back from our purchase. But we were there, in solidarity with all of the other Green Tree devotees!
AD didn't go to the movie night, so I moved that $5 from the accepted to the rejected column.
The class field trip was windy and cold, but so fun. The little bro and I drove separately from the school buses and spent $11 on ferry rides across the river(s) to get to the orchard. Money well spent, though. Made some memories...priceless. (That money will NOT appear in the spreadsheet, fyi.)
That 5th grade D.A.R.E. function is becoming a regular backpack filler. Now they are asking for donations to create the party that we will later pay to attend. First grade families are to provide a bag of candy for them to give out as prizes for the games the kids will play.
And new business:
The computer class is sending home "book-order" forms for computer software. If we expose our child to computers and other technology at home, we will give them an advantage in today's increasingly high-tech world...according to the note. It looks like most of the games cost about $29.95, so that is how much I am rejecting at this time. (We have a computer, we have some games, we have the Internet. Honestly, does he need more?) Notes came home twice on this one, it must be important.
Then school will be out for a couple of days this week and next. We have the opportunity to enroll our child in a school-day program, which was designed for working parents, at the great rate of $25 per day, per child. I'll just take the day off this time.
Oh, and I must not forget that the fall Book Fair is currently underway. I guess most parents just send the kids to school with some money for this. I plan to be there, monitoring his choices, though. We'll do this shopping together this week.
And finally, the SECOND fall fund raiser. I spent $34. And that after this weekend's sermon on simplicity. But the cover of the catalog clearly states: Solutions to Simplify Your Life. HA!
Sunday, October 7, 2007
October 5
Friday's backpack was SO full!
I'm finding this difficult to digest, but we have ANOTHER fundraiser. I'll post how much, if anything, I spend on this one when I do it. This time, we are selling gift wrap and gift items, just like last year.
We also have the opportunity to spend another $15 for a Wentzville parks & rec class. It sounds interesting...it's a science class with lots of experiments.
In November, there is a D.A.R.E. dinner sponsored by the 5th graders. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Other than that, there were just lots of reminders about all of the other ways we can spend our money to support our school and/or our child and his free public education.
I'm finding this difficult to digest, but we have ANOTHER fundraiser. I'll post how much, if anything, I spend on this one when I do it. This time, we are selling gift wrap and gift items, just like last year.
We also have the opportunity to spend another $15 for a Wentzville parks & rec class. It sounds interesting...it's a science class with lots of experiments.
In November, there is a D.A.R.E. dinner sponsored by the 5th graders. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Other than that, there were just lots of reminders about all of the other ways we can spend our money to support our school and/or our child and his free public education.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
October 3
SO BUSY!!!!
This morning, I quickly wrote out a $6 check for a field trip. I'm really looking forward to this one. We are going apple-picking and to a pumpkin patch. Money well spent, I hope.
I also edited the spreadsheet with the following: $10 for basketball clinic, and book orders were changed from $16.90 to $3.95. I decided at the last minute to just order one book. We will have this opportunity every month, after all!
This morning, I quickly wrote out a $6 check for a field trip. I'm really looking forward to this one. We are going apple-picking and to a pumpkin patch. Money well spent, I hope.
I also edited the spreadsheet with the following: $10 for basketball clinic, and book orders were changed from $16.90 to $3.95. I decided at the last minute to just order one book. We will have this opportunity every month, after all!
Saturday, September 22, 2007
September 22
Please note the following revision to the spreadsheet:
8/24/2007 "Fundraisers - A" has been changed from $25 to $50 because we bought an additional coupon book as a gift for someone. (I'm not telling for whom - they might be reading this!)
8/24/2007 "Fundraisers - A" has been changed from $25 to $50 because we bought an additional coupon book as a gift for someone. (I'm not telling for whom - they might be reading this!)
September 21
Okay, this is actually the 22nd, but you won't believe how much stuff came home in yesterday's backpack! And I just didn't have the time or energy to calculate it all (this is going to take a calculator) last night.
Book orders: these are one of the reasons I wanted to keep track of expenses. Last year I placed an order with the book order and the following week the school had its book FAIR. Well, my adorable little AD didn't think that the fact that we had just purchased three or four new books was any reason not to attend the book fair and get about 27 more. I understand that the onus is on me to teach the kiddo about money, but a little "fair" warning would have at least been nice! I'm on the lookout for the Fair this time. Plus my precious kiddo has sworn that if we order from the book order, he won't need anything from the book fair. HA! For the purposes of my spreadsheet, I am going to tally the costs of everything AD circles on the book order form. If we order anything, I will list that portion of the costs as Books - A, while the remainder of the total sum will be listed under Books - R. By the way, the neighbor kid came home this week with at least $20 of books from his book order.
It's time for the Tri-County YMCA fall basketball league. We will NOT be spending that $85! I feel like we are totally lucky in this category. One of AD's classmates is the son of a former college bball player. Last year, he offered a kindergarten basketball program for only $10 (which he spent on trophies and jerseys for the kids.) And it was fabulous. He was teaching them skills and techniques that my husband and I didn't even know. We will be doing that again when it starts in October.
Tuesday October 9, from 4 until 8 pm is McTeachers Night. This is the most chaotic night of the year at our local McDonald's, where you can wait in the drive-thru line for 30+ minutes or opt to go inside and hope that you know someone in there so that you can grab their table when they leave. It's a fundraiser. We will probably spend about $12 there that night. But I'll post the amount when the time comes.
The first Green Tree Movie Night of the year is on Friday, October 12. This is also a fundraiser. For $5 AD can go to the school for a little over two hours to watch a movie, eat popcorn and play a couple of games with his friends. Parents get to have a night out. It's a nice concept. I'll probably volunteer at one of the movies this year. We have a little sibling at home, so to get a night out we have to hire a sitter anyway. Starting next year, movie night will definitely be a cheap date night for us!
I think that's all for now. I'll have to break out my calculator to fill out the spreadsheet, though. Happy weekend to you.
Book orders: these are one of the reasons I wanted to keep track of expenses. Last year I placed an order with the book order and the following week the school had its book FAIR. Well, my adorable little AD didn't think that the fact that we had just purchased three or four new books was any reason not to attend the book fair and get about 27 more. I understand that the onus is on me to teach the kiddo about money, but a little "fair" warning would have at least been nice! I'm on the lookout for the Fair this time. Plus my precious kiddo has sworn that if we order from the book order, he won't need anything from the book fair. HA! For the purposes of my spreadsheet, I am going to tally the costs of everything AD circles on the book order form. If we order anything, I will list that portion of the costs as Books - A, while the remainder of the total sum will be listed under Books - R. By the way, the neighbor kid came home this week with at least $20 of books from his book order.
It's time for the Tri-County YMCA fall basketball league. We will NOT be spending that $85! I feel like we are totally lucky in this category. One of AD's classmates is the son of a former college bball player. Last year, he offered a kindergarten basketball program for only $10 (which he spent on trophies and jerseys for the kids.) And it was fabulous. He was teaching them skills and techniques that my husband and I didn't even know. We will be doing that again when it starts in October.
Tuesday October 9, from 4 until 8 pm is McTeachers Night. This is the most chaotic night of the year at our local McDonald's, where you can wait in the drive-thru line for 30+ minutes or opt to go inside and hope that you know someone in there so that you can grab their table when they leave. It's a fundraiser. We will probably spend about $12 there that night. But I'll post the amount when the time comes.
The first Green Tree Movie Night of the year is on Friday, October 12. This is also a fundraiser. For $5 AD can go to the school for a little over two hours to watch a movie, eat popcorn and play a couple of games with his friends. Parents get to have a night out. It's a nice concept. I'll probably volunteer at one of the movies this year. We have a little sibling at home, so to get a night out we have to hire a sitter anyway. Starting next year, movie night will definitely be a cheap date night for us!
I think that's all for now. I'll have to break out my calculator to fill out the spreadsheet, though. Happy weekend to you.
Monday, September 17, 2007
September 17
I've been away for a while, and fallen behind on the papers coming home from school. So I have a few items to add to the spreadsheet:
1. School pictures - the undeniable school pictures. The "decide what you want before the picture is even taken" school pictures. But you have to get something, right? There are packages that range from $12.75 to $41, plus add ons: additional 8x10's are $9, retouching costs $5.
2. Spirit wear - I didn't buy any last year, and then, the day after it came in, they had a "spirit day" where everyone was to wear their Green Tree Elementary School wear. I felt bad, since AD had none. So I was going to buy some this year, but according to the note it is already too late. It was too late the night the note came home. So that's $10 I don't have to spend!
3. Finally, there is the fall fun run. I don't know whether we will do this or not, but it is only $1 per person.
That's all for tonight - I'll keep you posted!
1. School pictures - the undeniable school pictures. The "decide what you want before the picture is even taken" school pictures. But you have to get something, right? There are packages that range from $12.75 to $41, plus add ons: additional 8x10's are $9, retouching costs $5.
2. Spirit wear - I didn't buy any last year, and then, the day after it came in, they had a "spirit day" where everyone was to wear their Green Tree Elementary School wear. I felt bad, since AD had none. So I was going to buy some this year, but according to the note it is already too late. It was too late the night the note came home. So that's $10 I don't have to spend!
3. Finally, there is the fall fun run. I don't know whether we will do this or not, but it is only $1 per person.
That's all for tonight - I'll keep you posted!
Friday, September 7, 2007
September 7
Today, I sent in a required background check to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which cost $9. If I ever want to attend class field trips or work with the students, I have to have this criminal background check...no choice...must pay. Hey, it's not much money, though, right? Last year it was only $5, but the price has increased.
AD has bought his lunch a couple of times this week, so maybe we will get through that $80 lunch card before the end of the year!
To be fair, I must mention that a note came home yesterday about "Donuts with Dad." I was thinking, "Oh, boy - fodder for my blog!" But you know what? It is free. Isn't that nice? Unfortunately, we won't be able to attend.
Today's backpack was FULL of papers! One flyer was pretty much a repeat of Wentzville Parks and Rec classes with some additions: a $52 opportunity for a Grandparents party and a $15 beading class.
There also was a note about the Greentree Buzz Book. This is our student directory. In the past it has been no big deal. They are making it bigger and better now, which will be great. With that, though, comes the opportunity to advertise or pay $ to send a message to your student. Maybe I should advertise my lighting design business: LJRdesign. Or not. I think I'll list this expense as a rejected fund raiser.
AD has bought his lunch a couple of times this week, so maybe we will get through that $80 lunch card before the end of the year!
To be fair, I must mention that a note came home yesterday about "Donuts with Dad." I was thinking, "Oh, boy - fodder for my blog!" But you know what? It is free. Isn't that nice? Unfortunately, we won't be able to attend.
Today's backpack was FULL of papers! One flyer was pretty much a repeat of Wentzville Parks and Rec classes with some additions: a $52 opportunity for a Grandparents party and a $15 beading class.
There also was a note about the Greentree Buzz Book. This is our student directory. In the past it has been no big deal. They are making it bigger and better now, which will be great. With that, though, comes the opportunity to advertise or pay $ to send a message to your student. Maybe I should advertise my lighting design business: LJRdesign. Or not. I think I'll list this expense as a rejected fund raiser.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
September 5
Well, it's been a while since any requests for money, but I have a couple of items to report today: first and most exciting is that AD sold his tenth Entertainment coupon book, so he has earned all of the little prizes he was hoping for as well as a limousine ride!
Second: today's backpack pile included a flyer from the city of Wentzville Parks department itemizing all sorts of classes for which we could sign up, if we were so inclined. Sounds wonderful, but no thank you. The spreadsheet will reflect all of the classes - as rejected expenses. Not sure of a better way of recording items like these...Suggestions welcome!
So we opted not to spend $277 on the $5 Soapbox Race (that sounds like a bargain and like lots of fun, too. But you have to be 8 years old to race, anyway.) Or the $92 tennis class or the $55 self-defense hapkido class (again, this sounds great, but we're already currently enrolled in soccer) or the $15 cooking class or the $60 photography class or the $50 Young Rembrandts class. Upon closer examination, our boy is too young for both the photography and the art class, so to be fair I should revise the total $ in the spreadsheet to 162.
Second: today's backpack pile included a flyer from the city of Wentzville Parks department itemizing all sorts of classes for which we could sign up, if we were so inclined. Sounds wonderful, but no thank you. The spreadsheet will reflect all of the classes - as rejected expenses. Not sure of a better way of recording items like these...Suggestions welcome!
So we opted not to spend $277 on the $5 Soapbox Race (that sounds like a bargain and like lots of fun, too. But you have to be 8 years old to race, anyway.) Or the $92 tennis class or the $55 self-defense hapkido class (again, this sounds great, but we're already currently enrolled in soccer) or the $15 cooking class or the $60 photography class or the $50 Young Rembrandts class. Upon closer examination, our boy is too young for both the photography and the art class, so to be fair I should revise the total $ in the spreadsheet to 162.
Friday, August 24, 2007
August 24
It's HEEEERRRRRE! Fund raiser time! For our first fund raiser, we are selling the Entertainment coupon book...anybody want to buy one? We will, of course buy one, at $25 each. AD would like to sell 10 so that he can earn another limousine ride. (Last year, we bought several Christmas gifts from the school fund raiser catalog, and he was one of the top 25 salespeople in the school!)
So far he has sold two...not counting us.
So far he has sold two...not counting us.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
August 22
Unbelievably, no requests for money for two days straight! I think I heard that the main school fund raiser will start this week, though...we'll see.
In case you were worried, the $80 lunch card was NOT lost. The teachers keep them, not the students. BUT, since AD (my son) has a loose tooth, he has decided that he cannot eat the school lunches, and he wants me to pack his lunch every day. I knew I should have just put $10 on that card. Live and learn. Good news is that he seems very happy and comfortable with first grade.
I was interested to read a Canadian blog entry today on the topic of how expensive public school can be. They pay a pretty hefty monthly sum to ride the school buses. So I am counting my blessings this evening!
http://canajunfinances.blogspot.com/2007/08/i-thought-public-school-was-free.html
In case you were worried, the $80 lunch card was NOT lost. The teachers keep them, not the students. BUT, since AD (my son) has a loose tooth, he has decided that he cannot eat the school lunches, and he wants me to pack his lunch every day. I knew I should have just put $10 on that card. Live and learn. Good news is that he seems very happy and comfortable with first grade.
I was interested to read a Canadian blog entry today on the topic of how expensive public school can be. They pay a pretty hefty monthly sum to ride the school buses. So I am counting my blessings this evening!
http://canajunfinances.blogspot
Monday, August 20, 2007
August 20
Some comments on the expenses spreadsheet (see link at left): I have created two columns for every spending opportunity category. One for dollars that I choose to spend and another for those I reject. Each row is represented simply by the date. We'll see if we can keep the categories to a minimum and explain in detail in each daily log...
August 3 expenses: This was "tax-free" weekend in Missouri, so I saved around 8% on these purchases. See the attached school supply list. I skipped a couple of items, thinking I had them at home, but alas, they were not the right ones, so a follow-up shopping trip was made on August 19.
http://www.wentzville.k12.mo.us/tinymce/filemanager/files/docs/gt0708rev.pdf
August 16 expenses: This was "meet the teacher" night at our school. We paid $5 to join the PTO. (I don't think I ever did join that last year.) And then we put $80 on our son's school lunch card. At $2 per lunch, this should last a couple of months...assuming he doesn't buy breakfast. I think we'll reject the a la carte option, which would also allow him to buy cookies, ice cream and gatorade - at his own discretion...REALLY? WOW! He's six!
August 19 expenses: I feel obligated to comment on the school clothes that we bought this year. This was incredibly extravagant spending on school clothes for our family. We usually spend next to nothing on clothes. I just want it to be noted here that we did opt out of buying new shoes, because our son has at least 4 pair that he can wear to school right now, and it felt silly to buy new ones just because everyone else will have new shoes. When I relayed that story to a friend, she gave us a pair of VERY lightly used Heelys that we can use - without the wheels - to look like we have new shoes like everyone else. Plus the WHeelys are entertaining to try at home!
August 20 expenses: Finally, the first day of school! Our son lost his $80 lunch card. Gotta find that! We sent a $3 check today for the class parties. This was listed on our district's school supply list. Tonight we have a 1/2" stack of paperwork to peruse, fill out and return. Included in that was kids' accident insurance that we could purchase for $40 for the entire year. What a bargain!? Won't our regular insurance cover that? No thank you to that one. Our first rejected expenditure...that and the a la carte, which I will calculate at easily $1 per day, 174 school days, whew!
August 3 expenses: This was "tax-free" weekend in Missouri, so I saved around 8% on these purchases. See the attached school supply list. I skipped a couple of items, thinking I had them at home, but alas, they were not the right ones, so a follow-up shopping trip was made on August 19.
http://www.wentzville.k12.mo.us/tinymce/filemanager/files/docs/gt0708rev.pdfAugust 16 expenses: This was "meet the teacher" night at our school. We paid $5 to join the PTO. (I don't think I ever did join that last year.) And then we put $80 on our son's school lunch card. At $2 per lunch, this should last a couple of months...assuming he doesn't buy breakfast. I think we'll reject the a la carte option, which would also allow him to buy cookies, ice cream and gatorade - at his own discretion...REALLY? WOW! He's six!
August 19 expenses: I feel obligated to comment on the school clothes that we bought this year. This was incredibly extravagant spending on school clothes for our family. We usually spend next to nothing on clothes. I just want it to be noted here that we did opt out of buying new shoes, because our son has at least 4 pair that he can wear to school right now, and it felt silly to buy new ones just because everyone else will have new shoes. When I relayed that story to a friend, she gave us a pair of VERY lightly used Heelys that we can use - without the wheels - to look like we have new shoes like everyone else. Plus the WHeelys are entertaining to try at home!
August 20 expenses: Finally, the first day of school! Our son lost his $80 lunch card. Gotta find that! We sent a $3 check today for the class parties. This was listed on our district's school supply list. Tonight we have a 1/2" stack of paperwork to peruse, fill out and return. Included in that was kids' accident insurance that we could purchase for $40 for the entire year. What a bargain!? Won't our regular insurance cover that? No thank you to that one. Our first rejected expenditure...that and the a la carte, which I will calculate at easily $1 per day, 174 school days, whew!
First Day of First Grade
Last year, when my son was in kindergarten, I was amazed by many things.
First, and most importantly, was how quickly he learned to read, even though I had spent the previous five years unsuccessfully trying to teach him this at home!
The second amazing thing was how much paper he brought home on a nightly basis: notes about sports teams he could join, school menus and information about how the district was going to change the high school schedule. (Why was it necessary to send this home with the kindergarteners? However, I dutifully read the entire dreary document.)
The third thing that amazed me is related to the second, but deserves a distinct and separate category.
So, toward the end of that year I decided to keep track of the potential and actual money I spend on my child's free public education for one year. Today was the first day of school, but I am already way behind on the blog.
First, and most importantly, was how quickly he learned to read, even though I had spent the previous five years unsuccessfully trying to teach him this at home!
The second amazing thing was how much paper he brought home on a nightly basis: notes about sports teams he could join, school menus and information about how the district was going to change the high school schedule. (Why was it necessary to send this home with the kindergarteners? However, I dutifully read the entire dreary document.)
The third thing that amazed me is related to the second, but deserves a distinct and separate category.
Almost EVERY day AT LEAST one of those pieces of paper that my baby toted home from his half-day of kindergarten involved the opportunity for me to spend money on him!Sometimes the notes were accompanied by arm-twisting, guilt inducing notes, and sometimes I supplied my own guilt, "but if we don't buy him a class shirt, will he have a gift to open during the Winter party? And if everyone else does get a shirt...oh, I don't want him to feel left out."
So, toward the end of that year I decided to keep track of the potential and actual money I spend on my child's free public education for one year. Today was the first day of school, but I am already way behind on the blog.
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