Well, I feel a bit like I was "impressed" this year. Ambushed. Taken by surprise and made to do what I did not intend to do, and never would have done, given a choice - and, you know? It was done so well (or I am so oblivious) that I didn't quite realize the situation until just recently. I guess this press gang was a bit more subtle than most.....
We decided to put Zhenya into Grace Academy. Zhenya is a very bright little boy - he has an absolutely amazing gift for retaining what he hears, but what he reads? Not so much.... And while he is really good at computation skills there are some other math issues. Anyway, we felt that it would be wise to focus on his academics, so we made the decision to do what we really could not afford to do and put him at Grace Academy where he gets a lot of one on one attention from a master teacher. Anastasia had this teacher for 5th and half of 6h grade, until she and her husband were dismissed from Summit for daring to mention that they intended to start their own school this year. Mrs.A. brought Anastasia up three grade levels in reading in one year. She is really marvelous.
Long-time, careful readers may recall that there was one difficulty with Anastasia's foray into Mrs. A's class - the annual class trip. That year the class went to D.C. and I had to endure all that accompanied not allowing her to go. It was just too much for her, I felt. And, in the end, she and I had a nice week of adventures together locally. I probably should have asked for an allowance for that week, though, since we'd done all kinds of fund-raising that year....none of the families had to pay anything for the trip.
This year, at the first parent gathering, it was announced that this year the trip would be to Disney World. All of the associated learning objectives were discussed, and how it would be a theme throughout the year, as well as something the kids had to work for (ostensibly "earn" in a sort of point system, that does motivate Zhen very effectively). OK. A few options were discussed for fundraising, and I didn't think much more of it.....
Until January, I think, when we were asked to hand in the cost of airfare. OK. Wow.....and shortly thereafter she negotiated the rest of the trip details - staying in the park, with all the shuttlebus services, etc. Please have $650 by such and such a date. Good gosh! At our house that is major money, not easily come by or parted with.
Yes, there were a couple of fundraisers - selling pizza kits, and putting on a play. Families got the money they could raise through both of these events.....but, we have no relatives! And even my mom didn't want to sit on a hard pew to watch the play (good choice; I really should have volunteered to help with that as Mrs.A's brilliance is clearly in the classroom and not in the director's chair). I bought a pizza kit or two....but, wait! I don't think that benefitted me, now I consider it.
So, in the end only the tax refund saved the day and got Zhen's trip paid for......but I am feeling a bit sorely used. When we committed, reluctantly, to the tuition we didn't realize that we'd also be on the hook for this expensive trip for ONE of our children. It doesn't seem fair for Zhen to have this great opportunity that the other kids don't get.......
I am glad he is going. I just feel the pinch of "losing" that money which could have been used effectively for everyone's benefit. I also think that we have to have a discussion about next year. I m not sure we should even commit to the tuition again, and I know that I have to ask ahead of time about the trip....no more surprises needed.
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