Monday, May 05, 2008

I Hope That Someone Gets My, I Hope That Someone Gets My, I Hope That Someone Gets My...

This whole picture debacle is taking up a lot of time, yo.

::sigh::

So, yes. The superintendent's office gave the principal the go-ahead to auction the children's (ghetto) class pictures to the public Friday. Ridiculousness.

We've spent the weekend brainstorming and talking to other parents because obviously this photo release the school has drawn up is inadequate and inappropriate.

Come on. Selling pictures of students to the general public. Seriously? Absolutely out of control.

My new "project" is now to work with the school district to change and clarify their photo release. This will likely include lots and lots of parent signatures and hopefully lots and lots of parents pulling signed releases until this is clarified.

I have found this situation to be nauseating. Really, just the idea that the school would be irresponsible and that the superintendent's office would endorse it. Gross.

So... yeah. That's been my weekend. I'm trying to get back on track and stop focusing on this issue so much but urgh it just pisses me off and makes me mad.

Oh. And dude. You would NOT believe how fucking ghetto those pictures are. They parked some outrageously orange car in front of chain link fence and had the kids pose on and around that car. Not only was the idea shitty, but the photo quality was HORRIBLE and then they put bubble letters, stupid funky BUBBLE LETTERS super imposed over the picture AND THEN it was matted with an orange and blue mat and in a really, super-cheap disgustingly-ugly black frame. OH MY HELL.

17 comments:

Chickenbells said...

We're they all in bikinis leaning over the car in provocative ways?! Cause' I'm sure THAT would raise more money from the public. This whole issue disgusts me. I think it is extremely irresponsible, and I am glad you are taking issue with it...you have my permission to talk about it as much as possible...that way maybe it won't happen to anyone else.

Anonymous said...

bloody ridiculous slack-ass system going on over there.
how's this for contrast: we have parents complaining because we have to keep a copy of the kids' school photos on a secure, teacher-only, high-security system for their own kids' safety and exam entry. daft eh? apparently, they were outraged that, get this, 'their teachers can see a photo of them whenever they (we) want'. like having them in front of us 3 times a week isn't enough.

you deserve a medal. or a raise. or both. whaddaya mean you don't get paid for sorting these numptys out?

montague said...

that's insane! and most probably illegal.

Unknown said...

Seriously? The kids were posing with an orange car? HUH? I don't get it. Will you PLEASE take a picture of it?? Even if you blur out all the faces of the kids... I gotta see it.

Anonymous said...

Ok, now that you've described the photo I feel that I MUST see it. I hate to make light of what is clearly a frustrating situation, but... I was just picturing something out of Welcome Back Kotter b/c orange cars + chain link + bubble letters = the late 70's to me.

Poor thing. Good luck in your continued battle against the man.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

oh man! So not only do they make you bid on it, they make it so no one who's kid is actually in it wants to bid on it?

The whole situation sucks. What would possibly make them think auctioning a school photo would be a good idea? Oh, wait...have you thought about pooling your money with some other parents to make sure you all win it & keep it out of the hands of strangers? That may be what the school is up to. They know parents won't want that photo to go to just anyone & will pay big money to win it themselves.

My oldest starts school in the fall. I think I will just say no to the photo waiver when I am given it.

LauraJ said...

I do hope someone gets your message!! (And not in a bottle!)

Rachel said...

seriously, this is so bizarre. I mean, an orange car and chain link fence? Are they aware that this is the Midwestern suburbs?

Soo said...

unbelievable, i'd be upset too! good luck and hope it all turns out ok in the end.

Anonymous said...

Coming out of lurkdom to say...
Call an attorney, and at least get them to send a letter asking them to cease and desist. It'll put a temporary hold on things until someone can get to the bottom of this. I'd even venture to guess that there's an attorney among the parents in the class, and if not, most lawyers will send a letter for a small fee.

The bottom line is this: the school is breaking the law. You signed a waiver allowing THE SCHOOL to photograph your child, not the PTA.

Hang in there...

Anonymous said...

I think that the auction was last Friday, right? Although I would have loved to see the picture, I just have to know the highest bid? Who won and how much did they pay??

Your stories are the best!! I love reading them. (No disrepect intended for your actual, well founded frustration.)

Rebecca F.

misschris said...

This is disturbing. I. Just. Don't. Get. It.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

I am really, really, really sorry for your school hell. Education by a committee of fools is so depressing.

Anonymous said...

On the bright side, maybe the photo will be so tacky and crass that no one will bid for it?

I am Julie said...

Is there a way you could try to talk people into NOT bidding on that picture? It wouldn't make them the money they are hoping, and the message may be loud and clear. I work at a school, and my district is really fussy about students pictures-even when the newspaper comes to do a story. Permission has to be granted etc. to ensure safety. Why doesn't the school do a walk-a-thon to raise money? My school does that, and we raise around $35,000.00 a year. It's our only fundraiser.

Anonymous said...

FIrst of all what they are doing is HIGHLY illegal , not to mention unethical and I know for SURE the local shame on you news channels would have a field day and HEADS WILL ROLL . If your uncomfortable with this going on , dont just let it happen ! Put an end to it . ANy attorney will help you .
UGGH this makes me so sick . I have never in a million years heard of such garbage !

Sarah and Jack said...

I hope by now you have put it behind you. But I presume the PTA just assumed a parent would be the highest bidder? Granted I am pretty normal and all, but I wouldnt want a random freaking picture of other people's kids.

I probably would have had a shit fit too though. (And it reminds me of my SIL and a story that I can't tell you here. LOL)