Am I really a 'miserable cow'?
At least now I know that I have upset people with my questions about bouncy castles. I spoke to a member of our parents association yesterday about my concerns and suggested that we put up a sign to say the age limit on the castle. When I walked away, I heard him mutter 'miserable cow'.
Now, I know I am setting myself up for this, but I want to know if it is miserable of me to want to be sure that the children are safe, that people working on the bouncy castle know what rules theyy are implementing and that, should there be an accident, the school will not be sued. I don't for a minute want to suggest that things haven't been done right in the past (my kids have only just joined the school, so I wouldn't know), nor am I unaware of the hard work that the parents' association put into the fete. However, I think that is the way it was taken. Ho hum.
I'm going to be even more miserable about the whole affair next year and this is where I want your opinions. All parents have been given a plastic bowl to fill with a pounds worth of 'goodies', which will then be sold for a pound. Threehundred and fifty kids in the school - you do the maths, it's a good fundraiser. Now, here's where I get all bah humbug about it. WE ARE AN ECO SCHOOL. WE ARE A HEALTHY SCHOOL. But what are these plastic bowls filled with? Essentially, more plastic and sugar. Now, if other parents want to let their kids eat sweets filled with gelatin and sugar, that is up to them. However, I really object to a) the number of plastic bowls being handed out when a jam jar or paper bag or even a recycled flowerpot (Yum, hygenic!) would do and b) These are being filled with plastic toys made, most likely, in China and probably by children of the same age as our little darlings in not very nice conditions.
So, thanks to this plastic frenzy, we get 350 pounds to spend in our leafy, middle class school where the kids want for nothing and all at the expense of (possibly) children elsewhere in the world. Personally, I would like to do without the 350 pounds and, instead, spend some time talking to the children about what they would like to have at the school fete and why, the implications of their choices and any alternatives that they can come up with. I wouldn't be very surprised if they decided that it would be rather nice to run the school fete to raise funds for others who are less fortunate than themselves.
So, you tell me. Am I a miserable cow?
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Phew!
Phew! Glad not everyone thinks I'm miserable!bThanks for your comments. I think you are absolutely right about making this come from the kids and about giving other suggestions rather than banning items.
Funnily enough, we used freecycle last year to boost our plant sales (as our poor plant club's plants were munched by snails), but I didn't think to suggest it this year.
I think that I will be brave and make the suggestion next year!
If I"m miserable, at least you gave me a laugh!
Thanks for making me giggle. Did I forget to mention the fact that I don't like the whole plastic bowl thing because of the waste of landfill space?
I was not saying that other children will be deprived because these middle class children will be playing with plastic parachute men and bouncy balls that were destined for them- I was referring to the kids elsewhere in the world who are likely to be working in part of the manufacturing process to earn enough money to help feed their families.
As for me not knowing if the kids at my school want for nothing, sure, they may not all have gameboys and three televisions, but they are all clothed, housed and have food on the table.
Oh, and I think you'll find that the vast majority of scientists these days don't think that global warming is a myth!
Re: Am I a miserable cow?
In short, no. I don't think you are at all - and I think you can probably put across enough points against this scheme to show others that you're not, too.
To be honest, I think this plastic bowl thing sounds like another lazy cop-out. I always thought school fetes made money by selling homemade cakes, homegrown plants the wonderful 'white elephant' stall where other people's cast off gifts could be recycled by others. Filling a plastic bowl with tat just seems like an easy (and mind-numbingly boring) way out.
If the school insists on sticking to filling bowls, why not use something like freecycle to find loads of jam jars (as you say) or even old pottery bowls? The likelyhood is that these will be reused, if only for the £1 a bowl stall next year. I would challenge parents to find healthier alternatives with which to fill their bowls - mini packs of muesli, dried fruits, packs of crayons with recycled notepads (made, not bought), stickers or paints. To start with, I'd try not banning certain items, just suggest more interesting alternatives. If you get the kids involved in this I would think the 'pester power' will have an effect on the parents.
I have to say, the idea of making this a 'charity' stall would be a good one - I don't think you'd get backing for the whole fete to be charity driven. Despite what a lot of people seem to think, kids almost always put less fortunate people before themselves (why else does the Blue Peter appeal always have so much success?). Kids SHOULD be involved in what goes on at their fete - after all, it's their school.
So, no - I don't think you're miserable. I think you're thinking with a healthy, eco mind. And if the school believes it is healthy and eco minded, then the teachers (and the parents) should be in agreement.
Yes you are a miserable
Yes you are a miserable bovine creature (I don't really want to be rude). No children anywhere in the world will be deprived for god sake. How do you know that the kids want for nothing? have you asked them? just get off your pseudo enironmentalist, lentil munching, sandal wearing high horse, for crying out loud. At least you didn't drag in the global warming myth. well done.
Regards john
PS. Disclaimer. I want to make it clear that I have nothing against pseudo enironmentalists, lentil munchers, sandal wearers or high horses for that matter.
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