Parents can not even afford 3 bucks to buy a picture packet for their kids

[greenbriar]

I teach in a low income middle school. Today we had picture day and as the yearbook advisor, I was in charge of running picture day.

probably 2/3 of the 350 students we have at our school had their pictures taken for the yearbook but did not buy a package of pictures because their parents could not afford them. The cheapest package is 3 bucks...

jebus what kind of world is this?

I always bought the biggest package of pictures of my kid (we have LOTS of family)


I bought 15 different students the 3 buck package and got the company to donate another 25 packages and put out a plea for teachers to "sponsor" a student or two but that is still just a dent in the can...

[Book Lover]

1. Please keep in mind

that not every family wants these pictures. Very often a family member is a better photographer than the school photog! Plus, it very often can feel like yet another fundraiser for the school - no one wants to be forced into that.

[greenbriar]

3. I can see that for maybe some of them but not all that didn't buy a package

especially if they were all dressed up in the best clothes they had

[Book Lover]

16. That's a very good point

one I didn't think of, of course. And I didn't mean to denigrate what you have done in the least.

[LeftyMom]

8. I'd rather not retain photographic evidence of my junior high years

Gangly tweenishness and dreadful skin aside, that's just not a real happy time for most kids.

Especially if families are getting shaken down for photos of all of their kids at the same time (right after having to buy school supplies and clothes) arguing with a kid who might not really want their photos done might not be real high on the priority list.

[SoCalDem]

10. I often did not buy any pictures..why?

because my goofball sons often wore the creepiest thing they owned and made sure their hair was all over the place..& then closed their eyes :)

Sometimes we would open those packages they sent home and howl with laughter..

I did buy one set just because our son looked so darned goofy, I could not resist :)

[Midlodemocrat]

2. Ha. I'm one of those smallest packet of picture people

and I can well afford it. I just don't have anyone to send the pics to anymore. Grandparents are all passed.

So, it might not be financial.

[PA Democrat]

4. You're a good person, greenbriar.

You have to be frightened for those kids as it looks like things will probably get worse before they get better.

[greenbriar]

5. it scares me to death just about my own finances

I could NOT imagine these kids having NOTHING

[Naturyl]

6. My parents always got the small package.

We were that kind of family.

And if I had kids, I wouldn't be able to afford any package at all.

[gateley]

7. This is heartbreaking and unconscionable.

I'm touched by your generosity and call for assistance. Those kids are lucky to have you. :hug:

[FirstLight]

9. $3...??? wow, that's cheap!

The packages are running between 20 - 50 here...and I can't afford it. My mom has decided if she wants pictures of the kids, she has to cough up the check!

but it still sucks, I wish I could afford the cool stuff like pictures, etc :(

[Midlodemocrat]

12. Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.

Cheapest set of pics at the middle school is $48. Of course, it, along with everything else is a stinking fundraiser. :eyes:

[greenbriar]

13. no fundraiser here. Just plain pictures

the yearbook every student is in. I found a great company and the yearbooks are 10 bucks and the pictures range anywhere from 3 bucks to 30 bucks. As far as I know, the school gets NOTHING but the teachers do get a free small package so we can have wallet pictures to give to kids

[knitter4democracy]

17. Ours just last Friday were definitely more.

The cheapest package (with hardly any photos in it) was $14, I think.

[woodsprite]

28. It looks like our cheapest is $47, until you read the fine print - then it's $17. n/t

[rubberducky]

11. You are a very special person to help these children!

Sometimes the pics are not very good, but they are very important to the child. School pics are just part of being a kid and kids NEED to feel they are a part of thier class and thier school. Just this grammy`s thoughts.

[greenbriar]

14. thanks. That was my thought process

and these students dressed up as best as they could. Some looked very sharp!

[renate]

24. how thoughtful of you....

... to notice that the kids dressed up the best they could, and how considerate of you to realize that they'd want pictures of themselves looking their best.

You are a hero and a sweetheart and the kind of person that makes the world go around. :loveya:

Congratulations on your achievement (in post #15)! I hope it makes you feel as good to do that as it makes me feel to read about it!

[greenbriar]

15. I just got done talking with 5 local businesses. ALL kids are going to get at least the 3 dollar pa

I explained my concerns and between the businesses, every student is going to get at least the 3 dollar package of pictures.


We have some great local businesses. I am going to give them a free add in the yearbook!!!

[redwitch]

19. That is really sweet of you and of them.

:hug:

[ladyVet]

20. You are a good person. nt

[readmoreoften]

18. Or as Republicans put it: this is clear evidence that people love their kids less.

To a Republican, this is case-in-point that same-sex marriage is destroying our country.

[The Stranger]

21. And I bet they all vote Republican, stand for 'Murka 'ginst Terra and "are scared of" Obama.

[donco6]

22. I doubt it.

If they're like my low income schools, they're all the same color as Obama, have never voted in their lives, and see the military as a ticket out.

[greenbriar]

25. oh no, most of them are "illegal" and in the govts eyes need to be sent back

these students have no choice as to what their parents do and are just trying to survive and grow and prosper

[Subdivisions]

23. That is so sad. But, you are a miracle and thank you for

brightening those families homes with portraits of their children. =)

[greenbriar]

26. thanks but I didn't do much of anything

I just wanted those kids to have a picture

[Subdivisions]

27. When things are so tight you can't afford $3, what you did means alot. Thanks again. =) n/t

[bobbolink]

29. And now you know that all along there were lots of people who COULDN'T BUY pictures of their own

children!

This is nothing new.... it's been the case for as long as there's been school pictures.

There's just maybe more people in that situation, but it's always been the case.

They were just ignored.

:cry: