Second Class
SS11 had his 5th grade Farewell this week. 5th graders were only given 2 tickets to this event. So FH, SS11 and(amazingly)BM tried to get me a ticket and were denied. FH even called the PTO to try and get me a ticket. In the end FH and BM attended with SS11.
I'm mad. I take SS11 to basketball games and scouts, I help with school fundraisers and SS11's homework and this is the thanks I get? It totally sucks.
I feel like writing to the PTO (they sponsor the Farewell). But I don't know if I have a valid point. So...
Is this common or is it just me who has the problem?
~BettyRay
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Your point is completely
Your point is completely valid. Many, many school aged kids come from divorced families and have multiple "parents"
Overcrowding
I noticed that at my son's elementary school graduation a few weeks ago that they had guestimated 400 guests would attend for these 200 students. They were way off. It was freaking crowded in there and nowhere near enough chairs for everone. I told my DH it would've been nice if they'd ask parents to RSVP with the number of expected attendees, because they probably should have and definitely could have broken the graduation ceremony up into two parts to comfortably accomodate everyone who attended. It's common, but it's so wrong. When you do as much for your skids as their parents do, you need to be able to attend these events. I'd definitely raise hell with the PTO and the principal. There are so many kids with two sets of parents these days that it's unrealistic to assume that all kids come from the traditional, two-parent family. All schools should plan for accommodating all the parents of all the kids, especially at special events.
♥ Anne 8102, D/B/A Georgia ♥
"Good men don't just happen. They have to be created by us women." (from ROSEANNE)
The Slippery Slope
The PTO contact did say only 2 tickets per child because of overcrowding. She told FH that if they allowed stepparents then they'd have to allow siblings and grandparents as well. The slippery slope so to speak.
FH said it was very crowded and hot in the gym. He felt bad for one of SS11's classmates. The child's parents are divorced and each are remarried. The poor child spent the evening running from one side of the gym to the other trying to spend time with both parents. They couldn't even sit together for their child.
I'd like to suggest to the PTO dividing the class in half and having 2 ceremonies. Then each child could have 4 tickets. But I'm sure with school budget constraints this will be shot down.
~BettyRay
I am sorry
I do not agree. They give tickets because they only have so much space. I understand if there are more than 2 parents but I think fire codes are more important. If the PTO, gave your family an "extra" ticket then that would leave them open to having to do it for everyone then there would be no point in giving tickets at all. What about sibliings, grandma and grandpa, etc? Making it 2 ceremonies is a nice idea but that is double the work and expense for the school, teachers, janitorial staff, cost of utilities goes up,etc. RSVPing is a good idea but again that adds more work to teachers and school staff since you always get those people who do not RSVP and still feel entitled to attend and not think anything of the issues it causes the people who RSVP'd. I don't think it would be fair to the students to have 2 ceremonies plus I think that would add to the number of attendees - kids wanting to see their friends, some parents attending both to see their kids friends, etc.
Our local high school gives tickets for graduation if it has to be held indoors due to weather but if its outdoors anyone can come.
It's a complicated issue with no real answer.
I feel your pain
All I know is that it DOES totally suck to be on the outside. You've put a lot of time, effort, caring, love, worry, and sacrafice into your relationship and step kids and it often times goes without thanks or recognition (except by the dads it seems).
I think you do deserve a spot at the ceremony. You've earned it.
Outside?
I think you should complain and possibly suggest they hold it in some outdoor area, although it is of course extremely hot everywhere now. But have it in a sufficient space, ie. using some other school's facilities!
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." - Vladimir Lenin