This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Open Mike....Give me money
I think Skills USA is a wonderful thing. I am looking forward to taking a group of kids to compete in April for State competition. However, I told them to compete I had to have $20 from them to join Skills USA. After they struggled and moaned a little I had 4 or 5 come up with the money. I told them they would have to pay for their motel room at around $100 a night but they could split it 4 ways (acutally 3 ways for the boys and 2 ways for the girls). Then I get told state registration fee is $35 to compete. They complained about that, then I was told they had to be in official Skills USA attire. Another 20-30 bucks for a button up shirt they will only wear at compeititon. I teach in Lafayette, over 60% of our kids are on free/reduced lunch. The families cant afford for me to keep on telling them I need more money. It seems like every time I turn around I have to tell them they have to pay for something else or buy something just to compete.
It's absolutely ludicrous the amount of money the state expects from the students for CTSO's. Of course, when they are embezzeling it, it makes a bit more sense. Don't get me started...I could take the rest of the year discussing it.
ReplyDeleteThis does seem to be asking too much of the students and their families. It would also be a lot to ask teachers to organize fund raising activities to pay for these fees. How do the rest of you cope with these fees?
ReplyDeletePerry I do understand what you are saying. With our crew the club bought the jackets and they are kept at school.The next year we will lend them to the students although they may not fit perfectly. The career department pay a part of these fees for the contestants. If these students should move on to Kansas City in June, which will be for a week it will still cost more. On Tuesday I had an auto auction and made almost $4000.00 to help with the expences. You might want to send letters and ask civics groups in your area for donations.
ReplyDeletePerry,
ReplyDeleteBrother, I know where you're coming from, I am always trying to find ways to make money for my kids. Fundraiser are good, but when you have 1870 students somebody is always selling something. Good Luck and keep up the good work. It will pay off in the long run.
I understand as well. The schools which are primarily free/reduced have an extremely hard time coming up with the money to live on let alone the money to join and particpate in clubs.
ReplyDeleteMy wife's adminstrator is great and bends the rules so that his students have the opportunity to participate in events. She is able to have a Breakfast/Candy Store. Her only rules are that she cannot sell during the school day and cannot sell carbonated drinks. She has raised over $2500.00 for her HOSA club. She also has the school talent show and has raised $1500.00 this year. If her adminstrator did not allow her to do these things she her kids would not have an opportunity to compete at HOSA competition.
My God! I thought I was the only one thinking that the cost of all this stuff is totally rediculous! It is simply horrible what this stuff costs! You cant possibly do enough fund raisers to cover a school going to state or much less a national. If you do, you have to raise money for 3 years and compete one.
ReplyDelete