Look. I know I'm cynical, but I'm just not comfortable using my credit card to pledge money to a private company that will then coerce my child to run laps around a gym while calling it a "Fun Run" in order to increase the amount of money said company 'gives' back to my child's school.
But I'm trying to keep an open mind.
Anyone out here ever heard of a company called "My Booster" or maybe "Boosterthon" (it's unclear)?
There are also requests to submit a video of my child talking about how much fun they are having and vague promises of a grand prize trip to Disney. As well as "epic character building experiences" along the way.
All I have to do is register my child, submit a headshot, enter my credit card information into a secure portal "that's just like what major banks use" use, authorize a random 3rd party to charge an undisclosed amount my said card based on how many laps they make my kid run.
It's gobsmacking how many third party private companies are involved in public education in the US.
Why can't we just fund schools, pay teachers, and recognize scammy gimmicks for what they are???
@DrTCombs
oh! and it increases kids getting driven in cars to schools, and thus increases traffic around schools etc. bad for everyone.
@Gurre yep, we're going through the same. it sucks and i hate it.
@DrTCombs when my nieces and nephews kids have school fundraising stuff, I instead ask them to ask what the teachers need for the classroom and buy that and a $25 Target gift card and ship it to the teacher. Direct action and no third party spyware.
@DrTCombs Sadly, well on their way to full privitization.
@DrTCombs Planet Money did an episode about this
@DrTCombs We do, but it is "for the kids" so we can always find ways to scam people out of more money no matter how much you give.
@DrTCombs it seems to me that too many people in countries like the US *don't actually want to pay for things*.
@DrTCombs @jay_peper Where’s the capitalism in that?
@DrTCombs
Many of us Swedes ask ourselves the same thing about our school system too. For-profit tax-funded charter schools that cities can't say no to in any way, basically.
But at least it increases segregation and reduces the chances at good lives for poors & POC.
/s