Holey Moley we are killing trees like crazy. Having 4 boys in 4 school buildings this year my back-to-school paperwork is a mile high...well, maybe a mile long laid end to end! Read this, fill out this form, sign this, write a check for this, participate in this fundraiser. I am going crazy this year!
Couple of observations as we begin this school year:
We Need an Online Registration System
I am so tired of writing my name, address, and phone number on a form. I must have done it 20 times already. If there is an online K-12 school registration system out there, I want it. If there is none, let's write the program.
How hard can it be? If my little brain of mush is able to flowchart what I think would be helpful and useful, I'm sure an experienced computer programmer could whip this up in no time!
After our basic information is in the system, just send me an e-mail whenever you need to notify me of something, need my permission for something, money for something or anything else related to the schools or PTOs or boosters.
Send me an e-mail reminder when I fail to do something. Link this to the school library system so that when my child's book is overdue, I'll get an e-mail and we can scour the house looking for it! Link it to the lunch program so that when the money is low, I can add more.
Please don't send home a note.
And, um, people, I'm so tired of writing checks. Our online system will be Paypal, Visa, Master Card, etc. Every school entity will be integrated, even if they are a separate organization like a PTO.
Stop sending me papers.
To their credit, our school district already has many convenient online systems in place:
Listserv is used for e-mail notification of school closings and other news-related items.
Media Centers are computerized for check-in/check-out and all students have a library card.
Mymealtime.com is the system for school lunch program debit accounts.
Enjoylearning.com is the website for community education programs.
Edline is the method for teachers to post assignments and grades.
I Am Vehemently Against Magazine Subscription Sale Fundraisers
C'mon people! Let's not use a third-party fundraiser. Let's keep 100% of that donation.
I know that magazine sales are easy and very successful. But we are killing trees with the magazines that we are encouraging people to purchase. And, the fundraising packet of information that my boys brought home (and I promptly put in the recycle container) is HUGE. An enormous amount of paper is being used needlessly. Let's go green.
I will boycott the magazine sales and simply send in my check as my contribution.
Too bad I can't do it online.
Many schools are doing away with third-party fundraisers and moving toward mission-driven fundraising. Really, let's conduct a fundraiser that has SOMETHING to do with the school or students.
Magazines? Um, not so much.
Pine Ridge Elementary recently ended their wrapping paper fundraiser and now they do an all-school walk. Every student walks, every student gets a t-shirt, and every student is encouraged to generate $30 in donations. It has been extremely successful.
I've mentioned the above rants to many people and I'm not alone with my frustration. If I continue to make this an important issue...saving paper and in turn my sanity...maybe I can be part of making it happen.
Mark my words, I'm going to try to make some changes during my tenure as a parent in the Forest Hills School District! Who's with me?
...stepping off the soap box now
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Random Thoughts, post written May 2009
When I'm on a long telephone conversation, I get out the dust rag and clean as my penance.
I'm a purger...no, not food! About every week I take a load of forgotten, useless, outgrown or down-right annoying items to The Salvation Army.
Speaking of food, I make smoothies for the boys to get them to eat (drink) their fruit and homemade salsa gets them to eat their veggies.
We only have basic cable and I like it that way.
5 Things I'd Like for Mother's Day, post written May 2009
A kitchen timer that politely tells me when my food is done, not the obnoxious beeping one that I currently use.
A maid service every week for floors and bathrooms only.
Weston to be potty-trained effortlessly.
A secretary.
A photo album Fairy to come in and bring all my albums up to date.
Looks like I may be getting the kitchen timer...
A maid service every week for floors and bathrooms only.
Weston to be potty-trained effortlessly.
A secretary.
A photo album Fairy to come in and bring all my albums up to date.
Looks like I may be getting the kitchen timer...
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