We don't get alot of requests for extras from school (I have 5 kids in 4 different schools too) Some things we buy some we don't. It hasn't been an issue with my kids.

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~Happiness is a large family~

We must be in a needy school district! Our school sends something home to send money for something (registration fees, book fees - 2 semesters, milk, supplies, fundraisers, pictures, class room party, book order forms, field trips, and anything else they can dream up!). My oldest is just in first grade this year, so I was unprepared for how much they ask you for. It's worse in the beginning of the year though, it seems like you've registered your kids ($65 a kid here) and then for the first two weeks of school you get non-stop letters home requesting money and they spring the first fundraiser on you - it's overwhelming to say the least. It does taper off after the beginning and for me became at least manage-able.

This was the first year I had two kids in school (1st grade and Kindergarten) and the money literally went out faster than I could make it. I have to say though, I haven't been here at mommysavers long, but just from reading through the board, I've gotten wiser for next year. I will have a better plan in placed to not feel so nickel and dimed by the school!

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If it wasn't on a clearance rack, it's not in my house!

Gosh... by reading all of your responses, I am not looking forward to my kids' education... (Just Kidding!) My kids are still young, they are 18 mo. and 4 mo., so I don't have this issue yet. I feel bad for those who are going through this and sometimes are not able to provide to their kids everything the kids would like. On the bright side, its a good way to teach them the difference between needs and wants, and be thankful for what a parent can provide!

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I'm a 4th grade teacher and I think the fund raising and fees are getting ridiculous. It seems like almost every month my students are bombarded with fund raising booklets full of high priced junk. There is always some group selling tshirts or other spirit items. As a teacher I am constantly being asked to buy this or that. Then there are the events such as dances and spirit nights that require a huge chunk of change. I just think it is getting more difficult for parents to make it.

There have been so many blessings with sending DD to her current school. One is that the fundraising efforts have STOPPED.

When we sent her to preschool we ended up putting her in a Montessori school. Tuition was $350 a month. At that price point, I was happy that they agreed they should pay for all the extras. Parents were expected to supply a snack for the class once a month. I could handle that.

For DD's kindergarten, we sent her to a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are privately run. The PTA had mutiple fundraisers. While it was far cheaper than paying a monthly tuition, I also felt somewhat nickled-and-dimed to death. It was a relatively new school and they had almost NOTHING in terms of supplies. They needed everything. On top of it, they had fundraisers for charities not related to the schools (like at Christmastime each class sponsored a poor family). It really got to be a lot.

Now DD is in 1st grade in our local public school. What a difference! Other than a few school supplies and pictures we have been asked for NOTHING. It is so easy for me to be generous with the teacher and DD's classroom because I'm not being hounded for general fundraisers. I love it! On top of it, the school has been in business for a very long time. They have a wonderfully stocked library (the charter school didn't even have room for one!) and TWO fully stocked art supply rooms.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Let me tell you, get ready for high school....

One has graduated already, and the second is a junior.

Senior trip $1,000 each kid
Yearbooks $75 each kid each year (x4 years)
Class rings $350 each kid
Homecomings $200-300 each (dress, hair, jewelry, shoes, etc.)
Prom (see homecoming "each")
Activities (we do marching band, so we eat concession stand food alot in the fall)
Driving school $350 each kid
Plus added car insurance when they get their license...

High school is costing me a bloody fortune...

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Mom to my girls:
Ashlee 19
Raechel 16
Courtney 6

Avatar is Raechel before performing at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on 1-1-08

For my middle schooler we have already paid $375.00. I know that it will only get worst.

Just wait until high school. DS is in 10th grade, he is on the school soccer team, in chess club, very involved in FFA. Each group needs a different t-shirt, he has to have money for meals during every soccer game/chess match/FFA competition. He will be measured for his lettermen jacket in a few weeks, next year he will need his class ring, the following year he will need money for all the senior activities. In addition to all the money needed for school he plays on 2 other soccer teams and will need to be added to our vehicle insurance in 6 weeks.

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DS-16
DD-13
DD-5
DS-3

My daughter isn't in school yet, but I know that when she is in school that there will always be "something". Same as when I was in school. There was always something going on that required extra money and sometimes my mom and dad didn't have it. I was never devastated. Sometimes you just have to say no. Since your kids aren't in school and you are already concerned maybe you could go ahead and start setting money aside for when the time comes.

Exactly - and really, it's easier to say no to the Holiday house in 5th grade than to the 8th grade trip tp Washington D.C. It's easy to convince a kindergartener that they don't need a yearbook this year- try telling that to a senior in high school. I say skips the things that are only semi important (fundraisers for every needy family on the planet and new basketballs for PE) and realize there will be costs that are VERY important to your child that you will need to save up for (mine was a letterman jacket) I never got senior pictures. I regret that.