FCPS' very own White Oaks ES refused to respond to a legitimate inquiry about Boosterthon:

http://thinkprogress.org/education/2015/04/03/3640081/boosterthon-apex-fundrunners-keep-half/

It is a problem EVERYWHERE.

The biggest problem is that toy people on FFXU are obsessed with Boosterthon and create thread after stupid thread about it. Why don't you all just explode yourselves or something...

Boosterthon relies heavily on fraternity ideology.

Such as this:

https://www.yahoo.com/health/fraternity-hazing-and-ptsd-insiders-share-gory-122286510207.html

If this is what you want in the schools keep supporting Boosterthon.

This thread has nothing to do with denigrating the confederate flag. Thus it has no value to libtardz. Please remove it.

And that PTA pres went on an all expense paid trip to Atlanta to talk with Boosterthon people. She now works at White Oaks. Is any of that legal? Get Boosterthon out of FCPS.

FCPS has no problem with Boosterthon. Dr. Lockard says it is one of their most successful fundraisers.

Now that Boosterthon as a "mole" at White Oaks, it won't be long before Boosterthon comes back. No telling what inducements will be involved in making that happen.

Boosterthon teaches false doctrines and oppresses children. It is the work of Satan. Chris Carneal is a greedy heretic. Look to the practices of his assistant, Brett Trapp in the form of diabolical initiation practices. Alpha Tau Omega is the Temple of Baphomet and the gateway to hell. Boosterthon MUST be eliminated from our schools.

Look to the legalization of gay marriage. Now the blood of Christ will be denied in our schools as Carneal's thugs hand out cheap toys to warp the minds of children to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

Eliminating Boosterthon is now on the FCPS suggestion list. Let's see how many votes it gets.

What was asked of White Oaks that was denied a response? It was the previous principal Connie Goodman and past PTA pres seen on that article's embedded video who should be questioned. What a mess. It's intrusive and based on money solicited by children and then divided between Boosterthon and the school. The crappy prizes are like crack to the children. The run is fun and the Booster people are good at what they do but allowing them into the classroom with no background checks nor real reason to have direct access to children and Boosterthon has no business being in FCPS.

Didn't the current PTA pres at White Oaks go on this trip as well? Ask her your questions? Ryan Richardson was wise enough to ban it at White Oaks once he got his feet under him as principal.

What was asked of White Oaks that was denied a response?------>




I think it was the contract.

FCPS Suggestions Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Eliminating Boosterthon is now on the FCPS
> suggestion list. Let's see how many votes it gets.

This is/was on some published agenda we can look at?

Here it is from the FCPS suggestions page:
Attachments:

What?! Everyone loves Boosterthon. What kind of disinformation is this? It is a lie that Boosterthon people "often" argue with science teachers. That has never happened at the many many successful Boosterthon events here in Fairfax County.

HappyHappyMomof2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What?! Everyone loves Boosterthon. What kind of
> disinformation is this? It is a lie that
> Boosterthon people "often" argue with science
> teachers. That has never happened at the many
> many successful Boosterthon events here in Fairfax
> County.

If it has happened anywhere it needs to be looked at closely. They're not there to argue with teachers.

And, what is your position, how do you know what has happened at every Boosterthon event?

I'd add to the complaint that Boosterthon people should not eat or play with the kids. That's just wrong, getting in Einuis territory.

Well the evolution debate has happened in Alpharetta, GA, right in Boosterthon's back yard.
Attachments:

Is Boosterthon back this year? Something needs to be done about how they pour instructional hours down the drain. As long as this keeps up, no way a tax increase will be approved.

FCPS Watcher Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Is Boosterthon back this year?

You must not have looked before asking, FCPS Watcher...

Eagle View, Fairfax: http://evpta.org/2015/09/17/eagle-view-run-run-kick-off/

Willow Springs, Fairfax: http://willowspringspta.net/

Kings Park, Springfield: http://www.kpkgpta.org/index.php/about-the-pta/


.... and we're less than 10 days into the school year.

PS - Willow Springs has quite the active FB page about Boosterthon: https://www.facebook.com/willowspringspta?fref=ts



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/17/2015 03:53PM by NewHorizon.

Press Club Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS' very own White Oaks ES refused to respond to
> a legitimate inquiry about Boosterthon:
>
> http://thinkprogress.org/education/2015/04/03/3640
> 081/boosterthon-apex-fundrunners-keep-half/


Could you be any more BORING?

Name another fundraiser that can generate 20, 25 or even $30,000 for the school. Now let's say you come up with something, list the parent involvement and volunteer hours required to make that happen. If direct-selling is involved, list the upfront cost incurred by the school to procure the materials.

I dare you to come up with a realistic alternative.

No-one likes the disruption to the classroom, the 40%+ share that goes to Boosterthon, the crappy prizes, etc. But at the end of the day, schools need the money to fund what the county won't.

Come up with an alternative, I'm waiting to hear one...

It's not about the fundraising. It's not about instructional time. It's not about anything other than some zealots don't like the fact that a few of Boosterthon's founders are tangentially affiliated with Christian organizations. It's the same people that want to drive Chick-fil-A out of business... bigotry and hatred for people that don't' think like them.

Suggestions? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Name another fundraiser that can generate 20, 25
> or even $30,000 for the school. Now let's say you
> come up with something, list the parent
> involvement and volunteer hours required to make
> that happen. If direct-selling is involved, list
> the upfront cost incurred by the school to procure
> the materials.
>
> I dare you to come up with a realistic
> alternative.
>
> No-one likes the disruption to the classroom, the
> 40%+ share that goes to Boosterthon, the crappy
> prizes, etc. But at the end of the day, schools
> need the money to fund what the county won't.
>
> Come up with an alternative, I'm waiting to hear
> one...

The cost of an instructional hour is $13.50 or so. Boosterthon consumes 2-3 hours of instructional time. If there are 500 kids in a school, that's $16875 (average 2.5 hours for Boosterthon).

Now factor in Boosterthon's "cut" and the $2,000 up front fee they charge.

Have you done all of that? Good, now show me a school clearing $30,000.

And where does the money go, anyway? Paying Eric Jensen $9,000 a day to consult on things he has no qualifications to consult about.

Finally…these trips to Atlanta. Boosterthon takes PTO/PTA members to Atlanta. What's that all about?

If you look at ALL the facts, Boosterthon is not such a good deal after all. That may explain why many schools finally wise up and drop it.

No wonder the schools don't have any money. Look at all the money field trips cost. Why my kid took a 2 day band trip with 200 kids last year (that was 16 hours x 200 kids x $13.50 = $43,200). And that was before they even paid for the trip.

Are you kidding me about 2-3 hours of instructional time? Is that really your argument? You do know that kids often end up watching movies once the SOL's are over - do you count that as lost instructional time? What about when kids go the bathroom, is that lost time as well? 2-3 hours is so inconsequential compared to what the schools can do with $30,000 for educational programs.

Schools routinely clear $30,000 in our area, net of all fees. $20,000 might be a more common scenario but that is still more than any fundraiser I've ever heard of.

You're asking where the money goes - do you mean the money that the schools get to keep? It's used to fund teacher allowances, arts programs, field trips, etc. I don't know anything about Eric Jensen and this $9000 - send us a link or something.

Oh - and you forgot to give me an alternative fundraiser, which was my original point!

Suggestions? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> But at the end of the day, schools
> need the money to fund what the county won't.

You're right, when it comes to the use of children to bring in the money, that's hard to beat. That's been true down through the ages.

How about this: instead of asking your question here at FFXU, ask your school or PTA/O to conduct a survey of families about Boosterthon. But keep in mind that the results may be similar to Mills Park PTA (Cary, NC) who dropped Boosterthon for the same reasons already expressed.
http://millsparkpta.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Take-Stock-FAQs.pdf #7

And/or, being mindful that Boosterthons go against National PTA (whose core mission is child advocacy, not profit) standards, why not ask your local PTA council (FCCPTA.org) for alternatives?

Easily found some examples of school's net take

Eagle View: $33,000 (page 2 of PDF below)

http://www.eves.my-pta.org/Content/91_6/DocumentStore/0/PTA_MAY_2013_Meeting%20Minutes%20(1).pdf

Willow Springs: $35,000 budgeted income)

http://willowspringspta.net/uploads/2/8/4/1/2841703/ptabudget1415-forinfopacket_-_final.docx


Kings Park - $32,000

http://www.kpkgpta.org/index.php/boosterathon-fundraiser/

Thanks for the link on Mills Park PTA. Note that they are asking $50 flat from every family. I agree that if we could achieve 100% donation in our schools, at $50 a piece, that's a better alternative than anything else.

Problem is this - in our area, for some reason, you'd be lucky to hit 50% participation in a no-fuss fundraising. So unless you're asking $100 per family (gulp) you'd fall way short.

Suggestions? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Problem is this - in our area, for some reason,
> you'd be lucky to hit 50% participation in a
> no-fuss fundraising. So unless you're asking $100
> per family (gulp) you'd fall way short.

While I don't disagree with that, I would submit that it's not a valid reason to use what I call - if you'll permit - manipulative methods to entice the kids to rattle the tin cups for us. If your focus is on $$$ while mine is on the kids, then, well, we're on different wavelengths.

Fundraising Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Easily found some examples of school's net take
>
> Eagle View: $33,000 (page 2 of PDF below)
>
> http://www.eves.my-pta.org/Content/91_6/DocumentSt
> ore/0/PTA_MAY_2013_Meeting%20Minutes%20(1).pdf
>
> Willow Springs: $35,000 budgeted income)
>
> http://willowspringspta.net/uploads/2/8/4/1/284170
> 3/ptabudget1415-forinfopacket_-_final.docx
>
>
> Kings Park - $32,000
>
> http://www.kpkgpta.org/index.php/boosterathon-fund
> raiser/

These are PTA numbers, and, as such, are questionable.

For one thing, the use of instructional hours argument is valid. For another, it is a very gray area if PTAs/PTOs are allowed to contract for ANY obligation of FCPS facilities or personnel. So I'd like to see that added in-after all, taxpayers already paid for it.

Yes, there are FCPS contracts with Boosterthon but they are really, really vague. If you ask a question about these contracts, you get referred to the Office of Communications, and they don't reply. FOIA is of limited use, except for getting copies of the contracts, but those raise many unanswered questions.

If you want to see Jensen's fees, go on the FCPS site and look up his contracts. Divide the number of days he "consulted" by the amount he was paid. FCPS is short money because they waste it on people like Jensen and trips to New Orleans, Korea, and Orlando.

Parent support groups are not authorized to obligate staff and the school facility during the school day. This isn't grey at all. It is crystal clear. The facilities are only made available to them outside of school hours. If an event is parent group sponsored, no staff may be used in their professional role. Parent groups are only allowed to use the school facility for their activities after hours. This is totally messed up.
There aren't supposed to be fundraisers during the school day according to the
current regulation. If kids are used to fundraise, the money is supposed to be
running through a school account, and not just end up there eventually. If anything is done during the school day, it is the responsibility of the principal
and the school system. To have something like this during the school day, with the
money going to a non-profit (which is not part of the school system), is ludicrous. You don't use taxpayer funded instructional hours to raise money for a non-profit. What are they thinking?
The administrators who approve doing this should be called on the carpet.
If they want to do something like this, it should be after hours, and the money should run through a school account, and they should use the school contract. That would also help with the problems they have with making kids feel bad because their parents don't want them bugging friends, relatives, neighbors, etc. for money.

Okay, I'm new here: What is Boosterthon again?

Newbie Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Okay, I'm new here: What is Boosterthon again?


It's a satanic organization fully entrenched in the rape culture of football and fraternities at sub-par Virgina guntard schools like Longwood. The CEO of Boosterthon is a man named eesh GerryManderer.

Boosterthon-A-Tron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Newbie Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Okay, I'm new here: What is Boosterthon again?
>
>
> It's a satanic organization fully entrenched in
> the rape culture of football and fraternities at
> sub-par Virgina guntard schools like Longwood. The
> CEO of Boosterthon is a man named eesh
> GerryManderer.

The CEO is Chris Carneal, who trained as a church planter.

They don't have time to teach cursive writing any more, but they waste instructional hours on fundraising. In the time they take to do Boosterthon, they could teach kids to sign their name, write a thank you note, etc. Why not teach cursive instead of watching movies to fill up instructional hours?

Many of the candidates seeking school board seats are asking pointed questions about Boosterthon, as are some candidates for the Board of Supervisors.

Answers are not forthcoming, and the candidates want to know why.

FCPS' feeble cries for tax increases are being met with hard questions such as "who authorized the PTA/PTO to allocate school facilities" and "were Boosterthon's so-called "lessons" reviewed."

Rough Seas Ahead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Many of the candidates seeking school board seats
> are asking pointed questions about Boosterthon, as
> are some candidates for the Board of Supervisors.
>
> Answers are not forthcoming, and the candidates
> want to know why.
>
> FCPS' feeble cries for tax increases are being met
> with hard questions such as "who authorized the
> PTA/PTO to allocate school facilities" and "were
> Boosterthon's so-called "lessons" reviewed."

This might be a troll, but they should be asking questions and expecting answers. Parent groups have no right whatsoever to take over school hours to raise money for themselves. Schools have no right to be using instructional time to raise money. They say they don't have time to teach everything. So, why are they allowing 2-3 hours to be wasted? If staff are utilized by a PTA for something they do they are supposed to reimburse the school system for their wages. They are allowed to use the facilities for free, but only after hours. This is all very clearly stated in the school regulations.

Questions are being asked-people are properly concerned about the use of tax dollars to subsidize Boosterthon.

Aye Aye Captain Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Questions are being asked-people are properly
> concerned about the use of tax dollars to
> subsidize Boosterthon.


It isn't just Boosterthon. NO fundraising during the school day. Some people have concerns about Boosterthon content, etc. I mainly just have a problem with school hours being wasted, when as was pointed out, they say they don't have time to teach kids to properly sign their name.

Rough Seas Ahead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Many of the candidates seeking school board seats
> are asking pointed questions about Boosterthon, as
> are some candidates for the Board of Supervisors.

I hope you're right. But I don't know that to be true.

> questions such as ... "were Boosterthon's so-called "lessons" reviewed."

On this point, FWIW, I would just mention that the FCPS-Booster contract has been amended to require that the Boosterthon curriculum get district approval. See para 14, "Character Education Approval" in amendment #2 at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cregister/ContractDetails.aspx?contractNumber=4400003780

To my knowledge, however, this isn't included in the Booster-supplied contract that the PTA/Os themselves sign.

There shouldn't be any PTA/O Booster contracts because any fundraiser involving students is supposed to be school-sponsored. They are still messing with this, probably trying to dodge their responsibilities. That is their typical MO. They come up with fake terms like "co-sponsorship" but can't describe what that is, and then give you a blank stare when you start asking pertinent questions and asserting your rights.

They basically want somebody else to do all the work and assume all the liability and they want to keep all the money. That is their goal.

full speed ahead Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Rough Seas Ahead Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Many of the candidates seeking school board
> seats
> > are asking pointed questions about Boosterthon,
> as
> > are some candidates for the Board of
> Supervisors.
> >
> > Answers are not forthcoming, and the candidates
> > want to know why.
> >
> > FCPS' feeble cries for tax increases are being
> met
> > with hard questions such as "who authorized the
> > PTA/PTO to allocate school facilities" and
> "were
> > Boosterthon's so-called "lessons" reviewed."
>
> This might be a troll, but they should be asking
> questions and expecting answers. Parent groups
> have no right whatsoever to take over school hours
> to raise money for themselves. Schools have no
> right to be using instructional time to raise
> money. They say they don't have time to teach
> everything. So, why are they allowing 2-3 hours to
> be wasted? If staff are utilized by a PTA for
> something they do they are supposed to reimburse
> the school system for their wages. They are
> allowed to use the facilities for free, but only
> after hours. This is all very clearly stated in
> the school regulations.

Parent groups have to pay any overtime.

Speaking of the FCPS-Booster contract...
over the summer, Amendment #3 (see link posted above) inserted the words, "Unless otherwise approved by the principal,"

...in front of what was originally only,
The Contractor shall not disengage students from instructional class time for any purpose related to the fund-raiser;

So here we have an explicit move by FCPS to permit the conversion of school hours into fundraising time. But hey, schools need the money. /snark



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/18/2015 11:53AM by NewHorizon.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Speaking of the FCPS-Booster contract...
> over the summer, Amendment #3 (see link posted
> above) inserted the words, SIZE="+0">"Unless otherwise approved by the
> principal,"

> ...in front of what was originally only,
> The Contractor
> shall not disengage students from instructional
> class time for any purpose related to the
> fund-raiser;
>
> So here we have an explicit move by FCPS to permit
> the conversion of school hours into fundraising
> time. But hey, schools need the money. /snark

Yup. That's the way they are. Somebody needs to wallop them but good.

The reason people are ignoring the "problem" is FCPS realizes Boosterthon has widespread parental support and is being opposed only by a small contingent of noisy zealots with ulterior motives behind their opposition.

idotsall Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ...opposed only by a small contingent of noisy zealots with ulterior motives
> behind their opposition.

An ad hominem remark.

But anywho, what few survey results there are out on the internet don't support that.
See "Why aren’t we fundraising with Boosterthon this year?" at http://millsparkpta.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Take-Stock-FAQs.pdf

It is called "using instructional hours for fundraising." When I paid my taxes, it was with the understanding that instructional hours were for instruction.

If the school wants to fundraise, let it hire Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump for all I care. They just can't do it with tax money. That's obviously what's going on with Boosterthon. Pep rallies, on school time. Coming into classrooms, that's school time. The fun run, that's school time too.

I don't like what I've read about the lack of transparency. The posted letter from Angela Atwater saying the matter is closed pisses me off. She gets a nice six figure salary, and does not seem to care about instructional hours?

Instructional time. No one cares about lost instructional time. What a load.

My kids watched over a DOZEN movies the last 3 weeks of school last year. This is too funny.

If the schools are so badly run that they need to be showing movies, then they should not cost so much.

I'm paying taxes for a minimum # of instructional hours, not movies, fundraisers or anything else.

Just another reason to vote a lot of people out of office (McElveen, Moon, Velkoff) and get rid of that damned Karen Garza.

What do schools need so badly here anyway? Make a list and post it at the school. These things will appear and no one will have to deal with the cheap toys and intrusive rally business of Boosterthon. Unless you've been on the inside looking out, you don't get what a problem this is at school. It's the instructional time plus the hype and fever it leaves in the building that causes the initial problem. Add in that no one is allowed this kind of access to FCPS students and I'm left wondering how this ever happened once here!

Yes, the issue is over per Dr. Atwater and it's no longer done at White Oaks which seemed to be a big problem at the time but it must be going on somewhere in FCPS for the issue to still be so hot.

It is still going on, at Keene Mill ES for example.

And, it has managed to attract quite a bit of attention on the FCPS website:
Attachments:

vox populi vox dei Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It is still going on, at Keene Mill ES for example.

Just FWIW - they point out that it's not a PTA event: http://www.kmespta.org/

So if it's a school function, documents related it SHOULD be available to the public.

Regurgitated talking points.

Poplar Tree drops Boosterthon.
See last Facebook comment at http://on.fb.me/1QnsoVc

Here it is.

Note the 48%.

Note the vague handwritten description of what Boosterthon will do.

KMES' Dr. Miller refuses to discuss the contract. Roger Ball, head of FCPS contracts, says the contract is fine.

No wonder they have such a huge shortfall. They don't understand budgeting, contracting, any of it. Money comes from Sharon Bulova.
Attachments:

FCPS Boosterthon Contract Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here it is.
>
> Note the 48%.

No, the contract has been amended since then.

For the "LIVE" event pricing in the FCPS contract, Booster's take now ranges from 35% to 50%.
And so the less the kids make, the greater the percentage Booster takes.

See amendment #2 at
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cregister/ContractDetails.aspx?contractNumber=4400003780

That's a tad better, I guess, than the standard contract Booster provides to PTA/Os which runs from 35% to 70% - as shown here.
Attachments:

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> FCPS Boosterthon Contract Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Here it is.
> >
> > Note the 48%.
>
> No, the contract has been amended since then.
>
> For the "LIVE" event pricing in the FCPS contract,
> Booster's take now ranges from 35% to 50%.
>
> And so the less the kids make, the greater the
> percentage Booster takes.
>
> See amendment #2 at
> http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cregister/ContractDet
> ails.aspx?contractNumber=4400003780
>
> That's a tad better, I guess, than the standard
> contract Booster provides to PTA/Os which runs
> from 35% to 70% - as shown here.


Have they changed the statement of work?

They got a deal.

contract question Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have they changed the statement of work?

Did the URL I provide not work for you?
Or were you just being facetious?

This is such an obvious scam. It is also interesting that some schools just seem to drop it after several years.

Follow the money. Who is getting kickbacks? Yeah, these PTA/PTO trips to Atlanta are a starting point. But who else?

If this keeps up, FCPS will become Nigeria.

quit being whiny bitches and go talk to your PTA presidents. the one at our school knows that boosterthon is a scam, and so they're not invited. problem solved.

Curmudgeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> quit being whiny bitches and go talk to your PTA
> presidents. the one at our school knows that
> boosterthon is a scam, and so they're not invited.
> problem solved.


Many PTAs/PTOs are very secretive about Boosterthon. Which school are you talking about that has seen through their scam?

not sure i want to ID my kid's school on here, but it's an elementary school in the western part of the county.

Curmudgeon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> quit being whiny bitches and go talk to your PTA
> presidents. the one at our school knows that
> boosterthon is a scam, and so they're not invited.
> problem solved.

That's worth a shot. But you were lucky.
Most who do that are simply villified - not unlike some commenters here.

Requesting a survey might be an easier way to go.

PTA/Os don't neccessrily need a majority voting aginst Booster.
But once they see that it's more than a few, um, "zealots" who object,
dialogue may come more easily.

At that "western" school, dont' know, but I think the new PTA president was already predisposed against Booster based on the experiences of his/her own kids earlier.

When a school drops Boosterthon, or decides not to use it, that information needs to be public. Too many PTA/PTO people are still getting taken in by the scam.

And from I what I have seen of the contract FCPS is either negligent or getting scammed as well.

Quote

but I think the new PTA president was already predisposed against Booster based on the experiences of his/her own kids earlier.

i'd say that is highly likely to be true.

Quote

When a school drops Boosterthon, or decides not to use it, that information needs to be public.

email the various PTAs -- i'd imagine people would share that info via email, just probably not a public forum with this particular userbase.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2015 04:53PM by Curmudgeon.

PTA/O should have nothing to do with Boosterthon. Any fundraiser using students is supposed to run through the school, using the FCPS contract.

Actually...... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PTA/O should have nothing to do with Boosterthon.
> Any fundraiser using students is supposed to run
> through the school, using the FCPS contract.

Boosterthon goes through PTA/PTO so there's no transparency.

The FCPS Boosterthon contract is a piece of crap, but Roger Ball, when pressed, says it is fine.

Dream On! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon goes through PTA/PTO so there's no
> transparency.
>
> The FCPS Boosterthon contract is a piece of crap,
> but Roger Ball, when pressed, says it is fine.


You - or people you're talking to - are seriously confused.
The FCPS-Booster contract may be fine, but there's no relationship
between it and PTA/O-Booster contracts. New thread: http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1977772.html

PTA/PTO should not be allowed to contract with Boosterthon due to, if nothing else, Boosterthon's use of school facilities. Those are not the PTAs/PTOs to obligate.

The FCPS contract with Boosterthon is, and remains, a piece of crap.

Then the system is BROKEN Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> PTA/PTO should not be allowed to contract with
> Boosterthon due to, if nothing else, Boosterthon's
> use of school facilities. Those are not the
> PTAs/PTOs to obligate.
>
> The FCPS contract with Boosterthon is, and
> remains, a piece of crap.


Parent groups can use the school facilities, but only outside of school hours. They get free use of the building and grounds. OUTSIDE of school hours. The issue that any fundraiser using students is supposed to be school-sponsored is huge and still looms over these types of situations. The idea that a principal would allow a group of people to come in and run a program like this during the school day when they didn't have a contract with them, and the school regulations prohibit this, shows seriously poor judgment. Even if the school system contract is used, the current fundraising regulation prohibits the use of instructional hours for fundraising, as it should. There should be consequences for doing stuff like this.

If they have two to three hours to do something like this they can teach the children to sign instead of print their name. To not teach cursive handwriting because "we don't have enough time" does not square up here. Has this been deleted from the standard curriculum, as I was told by a teacher?

Based on the video, the head of the PTA is lazy. She wants all the credit of being PTA president, but doesn't want to do any work and doesn't care if she gives away half the money, so long as she has her tittle and can exert control for her special snowflakes. You people sure picked a winner (not).

Inotherwords Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Based on the video, the head of the PTA is lazy.
> She wants all the credit of being PTA president,
> but doesn't want to do any work and doesn't care
> if she gives away half the money, so long as she
> has her tittle and can exert control for her
> special snowflakes. You people sure picked a
> winner (not).


All fundraising companies keep a large percentage of the take. Boosterthon is a fundraising company. Why do you think you are paying $20 for a $6 can of nuts or box of candy? $14 is split between the fundraising company and the parent group.

Give her a break Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> All fundraising companies keep a large percentage
> of the take. Boosterthon is a fundraising company.
> Why do you think you are paying $20 for a $6 can
> of nuts or box of candy? $14 is split between the
> fundraising company and the parent group.

With Boosterthon, there's no cost-of-product overhead (and the pledge solicitors - our children - are not salaried).

We're paying anywhere from 35-70% (see above) for the privilege of having professional for-profit Booster staff come inside the schools during school hours to make our children as lucrative as possible.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Give her a break Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > All fundraising companies keep a large
> percentage
> > of the take. Boosterthon is a fundraising
> company.
> > Why do you think you are paying $20 for a $6
> can
> > of nuts or box of candy? $14 is split between
> the
> > fundraising company and the parent group.
>
> With Boosterthon, there's no cost-of-product
> overhead (and the pledge solicitors - our children
> - are not salaried).
>
> We're paying anywhere from 35-70% (see above) for
> the privilege of having professional for-profit
> Booster staff come inside the schools during
> school hours to make our children as lucrative as
> possible.

Let us be clear. Boosterthon is not staffed by professional educators or teachers. An examination of their profiles on LinkedIn reveals many with no degree, an unaccredited bachelor's (or even higher) degree, or an accredited associate's degree-in any case, falling short of the credentials needed to be teachers or counselors.

At best, the Boosterthon people are "professional" at playing with kids and winding them up with cheap prizes and pep rallies. A less charitable description would be to say that they are professionals at exploiting children.

This is from the MPE Take Stock (direct donation) page. Looks like parents supported Boosterthon more.

WEEK 2 UPDATE – Take Stock in MPE Fall Fundraiser

There is ONLY 1 week left for the Take Stock in MPE direct drive donation. Thank you to the 260+ families and staff that have donated. As of Tuesday, 9/22 we were at 43% of our goal – thank you!

Just as a reminder, Take Stock in MPE is replacing Boosterthon as our Fall Fundraiser. Boosterthon was a 2 week fundraiser. At the end of the 2 weeks last year, we had 86% participation from families. We would love to see the same participation in Take Stock in MPE!

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Give her a break Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > All fundraising companies keep a large
> percentage
> > of the take. Boosterthon is a fundraising
> company.
> > Why do you think you are paying $20 for a $6
> can
> > of nuts or box of candy? $14 is split between
> the
> > fundraising company and the parent group.
>
> With Boosterthon, there's no cost-of-product
> overhead (and the pledge solicitors - our children
> - are not salaried).
>
> We're paying anywhere from 35-70% (see above) for
> the privilege of having professional for-profit
> Booster staff come inside the schools during
> school hours to make our children as lucrative as
> possible.

Where do you come up with "no cost of product overhead"? The 2 week event is the product and there are a ton of costs involved that are all paid for out of the percentage that Boosterthon gets. I find it interesting that people on here will lie if necessary just to support their anti-Boosterthon agenda.

Boosterthon got more support Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is from the MPE Take Stock (direct donation)
> page. Looks like parents supported Boosterthon
> more.
>
> WEEK 2 UPDATE – Take Stock in MPE Fall
> Fundraiser
>
> There is ONLY 1 week left for the Take Stock in
> MPE direct drive donation. Thank you to the 260+
> families and staff that have donated. As of
> Tuesday, 9/22 we were at 43% of our goal – thank
> you!
>
> Just as a reminder, Take Stock in MPE is replacing
> Boosterthon as our Fall Fundraiser. Boosterthon
> was a 2 week fundraiser. At the end of the 2 weeks
> last year, we had 86% participation from families.
> We would love to see the same participation in
> Take Stock in MPE!

The real news here is that Boosterthon was replaced-and it is not hard to think of reasons why.

The participation numbers presented are preliminary, and, given the structural differences between the two fundraisers, are probably meaningless anyway.

This post was probably written by a Boosterthon employee, and it is well documented that they are not known for having had quality educations. Many have no degree at all, and degreed employees often have degrees from unaccredited schools.

OP = IDIOT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon got more support Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is from the MPE Take Stock (direct
> donation)
> > page. Looks like parents supported Boosterthon
> > more.
> >
> > WEEK 2 UPDATE – Take Stock in MPE Fall
> > Fundraiser
> >
> > There is ONLY 1 week left for the Take Stock in
> > MPE direct drive donation. Thank you to the
> 260+
> > families and staff that have donated. As of
> > Tuesday, 9/22 we were at 43% of our goal –
> thank
> > you!
> >
> > Just as a reminder, Take Stock in MPE is
> replacing
> > Boosterthon as our Fall Fundraiser.
> Boosterthon
> > was a 2 week fundraiser. At the end of the 2
> weeks
> > last year, we had 86% participation from
> families.
> > We would love to see the same participation in
> > Take Stock in MPE!
>
> The real news here is that Boosterthon was
> replaced-and it is not hard to think of reasons
> why.
>
> The participation numbers presented are
> preliminary, and, given the structural differences
> between the two fundraisers, are probably
> meaningless anyway.
>
> This post was probably written by a Boosterthon
> employee, and it is well documented that they are
> not known for having had quality educations. Many
> have no degree at all, and degreed employees often
> have degrees from unaccredited schools.

I've talked to the PTA. Their reasoning is because they got tired of hearing parents complain but not step up to help so they did a direct donation drive as a way to say put your money where your mouth is. And right now they're proving the point that parents won't step up. They're looking at bringing Boosterthon back next year and when parents complain they'll say "we did a direct donation drive and it didn't work"

OP = IDIOT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon got more support Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is from the MPE Take Stock (direct
> donation)
> > page. Looks like parents supported Boosterthon
> > more.
> >
> > WEEK 2 UPDATE – Take Stock in MPE Fall
> > Fundraiser
> >
> > There is ONLY 1 week left for the Take Stock in
> > MPE direct drive donation. Thank you to the
> 260+
> > families and staff that have donated. As of
> > Tuesday, 9/22 we were at 43% of our goal –
> thank
> > you!
> >
> > Just as a reminder, Take Stock in MPE is
> replacing
> > Boosterthon as our Fall Fundraiser.
> Boosterthon
> > was a 2 week fundraiser. At the end of the 2
> weeks
> > last year, we had 86% participation from
> families.
> > We would love to see the same participation in
> > Take Stock in MPE!
>
> The real news here is that Boosterthon was
> replaced-and it is not hard to think of reasons
> why.
>
> The participation numbers presented are
> preliminary, and, given the structural differences
> between the two fundraisers, are probably
> meaningless anyway.
>
> This post was probably written by a Boosterthon
> employee, and it is well documented that they are
> not known for having had quality educations. Many
> have no degree at all, and degreed employees often
> have degrees from unaccredited schools.

It says "43% to our goal", not 43% have participated. Maybe you are lacking an education as well. Then you try to change the subject by talking about the education of the Booster employees. Nice try

OP = IDIOT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon got more support Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is from the MPE Take Stock (direct
> donation)
> > page. Looks like parents supported Boosterthon
> > more.
> >
> > WEEK 2 UPDATE – Take Stock in MPE Fall
> > Fundraiser
> >
> > There is ONLY 1 week left for the Take Stock in
> > MPE direct drive donation. Thank you to the
> 260+
> > families and staff that have donated. As of
> > Tuesday, 9/22 we were at 43% of our goal –
> thank
> > you!
> >
> > Just as a reminder, Take Stock in MPE is
> replacing
> > Boosterthon as our Fall Fundraiser.
> Boosterthon
> > was a 2 week fundraiser. At the end of the 2
> weeks
> > last year, we had 86% participation from
> families.
> > We would love to see the same participation in
> > Take Stock in MPE!
>
> The real news here is that Boosterthon was
> replaced-and it is not hard to think of reasons
> why.
>
> The participation numbers presented are
> preliminary, and, given the structural differences
> between the two fundraisers, are probably
> meaningless anyway.
>
> This post was probably written by a Boosterthon
> employee, and it is well documented that they are
> not known for having had quality educations. Many
> have no degree at all, and degreed employees often
> have degrees from unaccredited schools.

It's a direct quote from the MPE PTA. I don't think MPE PTA people are Boosterthon employees so that makes you the idiot

The PTA may be facing an uphill struggle. Opposition to Boosterthon is growing. It is one of the key issues in the 2015 Fairfax County school board elections. Unpopular incumbents such as Ryan McElveen, seem to support it. Challengers are opposed to it.

The PTA does not have unlimited, unilateral power. If the community doesn't want Boosterthon, Boosterthon isn't coming-for one thing, the PTA lacks the power to commit the school resources needed for a successful (?) Boosterthon event.

Many parents, angered by Boosterthon's hard sell techniques and junk prizes are also beginning to question the lavish trips to Atlanta that Boosterthon gives PTA representatives who support it. These trips have been characterized as "focus groups" but that's a dodge.

Boosterthon's spokesman, Brett Trapp, is out of his league. It took him five years to graduate, and the reason was his excessive involvement in the ATO fraternity. He's had no real job experience besides Boosterthon, and he does not do well when faced with tough questions. Boosterthon's founder, Chris Carneal, avoids questioning whenever possible. His claimed connection to education is the fact that his mother was a teacher. His formal education consists of a degree in church planting. Like Trapp, he has trouble answering hard questions about the validity of the Boosterthon "curriculum" to say nothing of reports that Boosterthon "teachers" have engaged science teachers in debates about the teaching of evolution.

Spin it as you like, but the truth of the matter is that Boosterthon is in trouble, and deservedly so.

PTA Facing an Uphill Struggle? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The PTA may be facing an uphill struggle.
> Opposition to Boosterthon is growing. It is one of
> the key issues in the 2015 Fairfax County school
> board elections. Unpopular incumbents such as Ryan
> McElveen, seem to support it. Challengers are
> opposed to it.
>
> The PTA does not have unlimited, unilateral power.
> If the community doesn't want Boosterthon,
> Boosterthon isn't coming-for one thing, the PTA
> lacks the power to commit the school resources
> needed for a successful (?) Boosterthon event.
>
> Many parents, angered by Boosterthon's hard sell
> techniques and junk prizes are also beginning to
> question the lavish trips to Atlanta that
> Boosterthon gives PTA representatives who support
> it. These trips have been characterized as "focus
> groups" but that's a dodge.
>
> Boosterthon's spokesman, Brett Trapp, is out of
> his league. It took him five years to graduate,
> and the reason was his excessive involvement in
> the ATO fraternity. He's had no real job
> experience besides Boosterthon, and he does not do
> well when faced with tough questions.
> Boosterthon's founder, Chris Carneal, avoids
> questioning whenever possible. His claimed
> connection to education is the fact that his
> mother was a teacher. His formal education
> consists of a degree in church planting. Like
> Trapp, he has trouble answering hard questions
> about the validity of the Boosterthon "curriculum"
> to say nothing of reports that Boosterthon
> "teachers" have engaged science teachers in
> debates about the teaching of evolution.
>
> Spin it as you like, but the truth of the matter
> is that Boosterthon is in trouble, and deservedly
> so.

"spin it as you like"....sounds to me like you're already putting a ton of spin on things. You're creating controversy where none exists. It's only a small group that doesn't like Booster

Notice how despite all the bluster - it ALWAYS comes back to the fact that a few of Boosterthon employees have tangential conservative religious connections.

noticer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Notice how despite all the bluster - it ALWAYS
> comes back to the fact that a few of Boosterthon
> employees have tangential conservative religious
> connections.


Bingo! And that seems to be the agenda of those on this board. Anti-religion.

It would not matter if Chris Carneal had a degree in high voltage transmission systems or invertebrate neurology, his education is not relevant to his "mission" of providing character training to students.

Note that NO comments have been made about Brett Trapp's religious background. The issue with Trapp is that he was anything but an exemplary student and he has no real career except Boosterthon. He and Carneal are very evasive when asked about certain aspects of Boosterthon. They could be Mahayana Buddhists or Worshippers of Justin Bieber for anyone cares, the problems they have would be the same.

It would not matter if many of the unaccredited degrees held by many of the Boosterthon employees came from schools with no religious affiliation at all. The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes degrees accredited by certain accrediting authorities, and many of the degrees held by Boosterthon employees do NOT come from such schools. Our very own "University of Northern Virginia," for instance, is utterly unaccredited, but has no religious affiliation. If it were the case that a Boosterthon employee had graduated from this school, the same criticism would stand.

It is, however, a sad fact that certain Boosterthon employees have chosen to let their personal religious beliefs cause them to engage in debates with science teachers.

The objections to Boosterthon are as follows:

1) Use of instructional hours

2) Use of school facilities

3) Pressure on students

4) Dubious lessons (prepared by an otherwise anonymous group of "moms and educators" according to Brett Trapp)

5) Misrepresenting the "fun run" as a comprehensive fitness program

6) Lack of transparency (Boosterthon is privately held)

7) Use of trips to Atlanta as "inducements" to PTA/PTO decision makers

8) High cost (48% of take + $2,000 fee)

9) Poorly drafted contracts

10) Use of "teachers" and "counselors" who would not be approved as such in Virginia due to their educational backgrounds (or, more precisely, lack thereof)

I think people who are complaining about Boosterthon are making themselves look ridiculous at times.

1. Boosterthon is not a PTA or PTO issue. Boosterthon is supposed to be school-sponsored, since students are involved. That should take it right out of the parent group ballpark.

2. As of right now, no fundraisers are allowed during the school day. If they are doing them during the school day, they are in violation of their written regulations. If they are doing them during the school day under a PTA or O contract, they are REALLY in violation of numerous regulations. The principals should not be allowing people in the front door that they don't have an agreement with. This is basic common sense for an administrator. The school day is their responsibility. If Boosterthon is there on a PTA or O agreement, that does not count.

3. If there are going to be any Boosterthons, they should be under the school contract, and done outside of school hours. That way, anybody who is not interested is not subjected to the things they object to. Hopefully.

4. This business about the religious backgrounds and everything else is just looking ridiculous. That alone is not a reason to not do Boosterthon. The school system doesn't go analyzing Sally Foster's employees, for example, to see what their backgrounds are. The lessons they put out should be analyzed and approved by the school system, but they also have to be using the school system contract to do that. There shouldn't be any lessons to be taught if this is done outside of school hours. The materials would be handed out, anybody who wanted to do pledges could do pledges, the kids show up and do the run.

This whole thing looks like yet another situation where Gatehouse and the principals don't enforce school policy, and the School Board does nothing about it. Business as usual. What is the point of electing these people if they are not going to enforce the school policies that are there to protect families? Time and time again they do this. Worthless.

Boosterthon Is A SCAM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would not matter if Chris Carneal had a degree
> in high voltage transmission systems or
> invertebrate neurology, his education is not
> relevant to his "mission" of providing character
> training to students.
>
> Note that NO comments have been made about Brett
> Trapp's religious background. The issue with Trapp
> is that he was anything but an exemplary student
> and he has no real career except Boosterthon. He
> and Carneal are very evasive when asked about
> certain aspects of Boosterthon. They could be
> Mahayana Buddhists or Worshippers of Justin Bieber
> for anyone cares, the problems they have would be
> the same.
>
> It would not matter if many of the unaccredited
> degrees held by many of the Boosterthon employees
> came from schools with no religious affiliation at
> all. The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes
> degrees accredited by certain accrediting
> authorities, and many of the degrees held by
> Boosterthon employees do NOT come from such
> schools. Our very own "University of Northern
> Virginia," for instance, is utterly unaccredited,
> but has no religious affiliation. If it were the
> case that a Boosterthon employee had graduated
> from this school, the same criticism would stand.
>
> It is, however, a sad fact that certain
> Boosterthon employees have chosen to let their
> personal religious beliefs cause them to engage in
> debates with science teachers.
>
> The objections to Boosterthon are as follows:
>
> 1) Use of instructional hours
>
> 2) Use of school facilities
>
> 3) Pressure on students
>
> 4) Dubious lessons (prepared by an otherwise
> anonymous group of "moms and educators" according
> to Brett Trapp)
>
> 5) Misrepresenting the "fun run" as a
> comprehensive fitness program
>
> 6) Lack of transparency (Boosterthon is privately
> held)
>
> 7) Use of trips to Atlanta as "inducements" to
> PTA/PTO decision makers
>
> 8) High cost (48% of take + $2,000 fee)
>
> 9) Poorly drafted contracts
>
> 10) Use of "teachers" and "counselors" who would
> not be approved as such in Virginia due to their
> educational backgrounds (or, more precisely, lack
> thereof)

"It is, however, a sad fact that certain Boosterthon employees have chosen to let their personal religious beliefs cause them to engage in debates with science teachers"

What "fact" are you basing that on???? Heresay from a post on FFU does not make something a fact. And I love how a post where someone said "a" boosterthon employee and "a" teacher all of a sudden becomes "fact" that "employees" are doing something with "teachers". The anti-Boosterthon spin machine strikes again. You people are all crazy nut jobs with nothing better to do than complain. Are you lives really that boring?

Boosterthon Is A SCAM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It would not matter if Chris Carneal had a degree
> in high voltage transmission systems or
> invertebrate neurology, his education is not
> relevant to his "mission" of providing character
> training to students.
>
> Note that NO comments have been made about Brett
> Trapp's religious background. The issue with Trapp
> is that he was anything but an exemplary student
> and he has no real career except Boosterthon. He
> and Carneal are very evasive when asked about
> certain aspects of Boosterthon. They could be
> Mahayana Buddhists or Worshippers of Justin Bieber
> for anyone cares, the problems they have would be
> the same.
>
> It would not matter if many of the unaccredited
> degrees held by many of the Boosterthon employees
> came from schools with no religious affiliation at
> all. The Commonwealth of Virginia recognizes
> degrees accredited by certain accrediting
> authorities, and many of the degrees held by
> Boosterthon employees do NOT come from such
> schools. Our very own "University of Northern
> Virginia," for instance, is utterly unaccredited,
> but has no religious affiliation. If it were the
> case that a Boosterthon employee had graduated
> from this school, the same criticism would stand.
>
> It is, however, a sad fact that certain
> Boosterthon employees have chosen to let their
> personal religious beliefs cause them to engage in
> debates with science teachers.
>
> The objections to Boosterthon are as follows:
>
> 1) Use of instructional hours
>
> 2) Use of school facilities
>
> 3) Pressure on students
>
> 4) Dubious lessons (prepared by an otherwise
> anonymous group of "moms and educators" according
> to Brett Trapp)
>
> 5) Misrepresenting the "fun run" as a
> comprehensive fitness program
>
> 6) Lack of transparency (Boosterthon is privately
> held)
>
> 7) Use of trips to Atlanta as "inducements" to
> PTA/PTO decision makers
>
> 8) High cost (48% of take + $2,000 fee)
>
> 9) Poorly drafted contracts
>
> 10) Use of "teachers" and "counselors" who would
> not be approved as such in Virginia due to their
> educational backgrounds (or, more precisely, lack
> thereof)

You mention "high cost". Boosterthon does not "take" 48%. 48% goes to Boosterthon and out of that they cover all of the expenses of the program. Have you seen everything the school and kids gets for the 48%? I think if you had a look and really broke it down you would see that there's not much left of the 48% when all is said and done. I for one would much rather pay for this experience than for wrapping paper or cookie dough that I don't need. I've seen their program first hand and I think it's a positive experience for the kids. So what if they're not accredited teachers...neither are the people involved in most of their field trips the kids go on. Do you go to the museum and question their employees backgrounds and education levels before your kids go on a field trip? Lighten up and let the kids have a little fun. Sheesh

As in the case of politics there are democrats and republicans and they will never agree. One side believes what they believe and the other side believes what they believe and probably neither side is wrong...just a difference of beliefs and oppinion. The boosterthon discussion of "for it and why", and "against it and why", could and will probably go on forever. I see both sides of the arguement but just like politics we need to respect others oppinions and stop slinging rocks. The 3 year Boosterthon arguement has gotten to the point of extreme rediculousness.

If you look on "Glassdoor" you'll see that the majority of Boosterthon people are paid minimum wage. So that's not much money at all.

The t-shirts, prizes, stickers, booklets are cheap if mass produced. An unknown is what they pay to develop the "yearly theme" but since they won't disclose that I'll guess, and it is not a high number-they seem to reuse the same ideas year after year (see, I have been through this process with them).

As to the "speedway" well I guess they have a few of those but they are nothing special and they can depreciate them on the company's taxes.

But they get use of school facilities free, they get assistance from teachers free, and, most valuable of all, they get access to the kids.

Now, as to field trips. People who work in museums have various levels of qualifications, and that's all accessible. The Boosterthon people are not teachers or counselors. Note that Boosterthon says "our people augment teachers and counselors" so maybe they need to change that.

Boostertoon is expensive, exploitative, and its lessons are of dubious value. I for one DO NOT LIKE the idea of having these people have lunch with and play with the kids. That is just not right.

Small wonder many of the new school board candidates have asked about it. Small wonder BOTH Marcus Simon and Kaye Kory have asked about it.

YOU lighten up Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If you look on "Glassdoor" you'll see that the
> majority of Boosterthon people are paid minimum
> wage. So that's not much money at all.
>
> The t-shirts, prizes, stickers, booklets are cheap
> if mass produced. An unknown is what they pay to
> develop the "yearly theme" but since they won't
> disclose that I'll guess, and it is not a high
> number-they seem to reuse the same ideas year
> after year (see, I have been through this process
> with them).
>
> As to the "speedway" well I guess they have a few
> of those but they are nothing special and they can
> depreciate them on the company's taxes.
>
> But they get use of school facilities free, they
> get assistance from teachers free, and, most
> valuable of all, they get access to the kids.
>
> Now, as to field trips. People who work in museums
> have various levels of qualifications, and that's
> all accessible. The Boosterthon people are not
> teachers or counselors. Note that Boosterthon says
> "our people augment teachers and counselors" so
> maybe they need to change that.
>
> Boostertoon is expensive, exploitative, and its
> lessons are of dubious value. I for one DO NOT
> LIKE the idea of having these people have lunch
> with and play with the kids. That is just not
> right.
>
> Small wonder many of the new school board
> candidates have asked about it. Small wonder BOTH
> Marcus Simon and Kaye Kory have asked about it.

Go find me anything in the world that doesn't have some naysayers. You're entitled to your opinion. And you're allowed not to like Boosterthon if you don't want to. But they're nationwide and a fast growing company so enough teachers and Principal's do like them, and as long as the majority enjoys what they offer (and they do) they're here to stay, so have a nice day :)

> Go find me anything in the world that doesn't have
> some naysayers. You're entitled to your opinion.
> And you're allowed not to like Boosterthon if you
> don't want to. But they're nationwide and a fast
> growing company so enough teachers and Principal's
> do like them, and as long as the majority enjoys
> what they offer (and they do) they're here to
> stay, so have a nice day :)


I couldn't agree more! If it's not Boosterthon there would be complaints about something else in the school system, and there is. If they got rid of everything that generated a few complaints there would be no school system left.

Great point! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Go find me anything in the world that doesn't
> have
> > some naysayers. You're entitled to your
> opinion.
> > And you're allowed not to like Boosterthon if
> you
> > don't want to. But they're nationwide and a
> fast
> > growing company so enough teachers and
> Principal's
> > do like them, and as long as the majority
> enjoys
> > what they offer (and they do) they're here to
> > stay, so have a nice day :)
>
>
> I couldn't agree more! If it's not Boosterthon
> there would be complaints about something else in
> the school system, and there is. If they got rid
> of everything that generated a few complaints
> there would be no school system left.

+10!!
FCPS just can't win. There are a lot of small groups that complain about this or that. If FCPS reacted to every group they wouldn't have time left to educate our children. And if they got rid of everything that generated a few complaints there wouldn't be anything left but empty buildings. Surely you all realize that you're just a small group and FCPS has a miriad of things to deal with in order to properly educate our children and most of the arguements being thrown at them over Boosterthon are just rediculous. I for one would rather them focus on the bigger picture than keep getting sidetracked by the nutjobs on here.

And as for the candidates running for election....they just want your vote so will pander to whatever it is that's on your mind. Then after they get elected they'll focus on other things rather than this silly Boosterthon thing. I guarantee that.

Don't use the kids to fundraise.

Boosterthon etc. take place off school premises after school hours.

Full and public review of Boosterthon curriculum.

Full and public review of background checks done by any Boosterthon personnel having student contact.

Works for me.

Plenty of Sense Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't use the kids to fundraise.
>
> Boosterthon etc. take place off school premises
> after school hours.
>
> Full and public review of Boosterthon curriculum.
>
> Full and public review of background checks done
> by any Boosterthon personnel having student
> contact.
>
> Works for me.


You can do this on school grounds. It just should not be done during school hours. It is supposed to be school sponsored, so it might have to be done on school property or at least on county property (where else could it be if it was sponsored by the school system?). If it is sponsored by the school system anything they are pitching is open record. Don't know if background checks are public record or not. They might be considered personnel records. Good luck on that one. I think some people are getting way too worked up on some things, things that if it was held outside of the classroom and school hours might not be issues. If you don't have to be subjected to this stuff as prisoners of the classroom activities, then participation is much more voluntary. Booster Enterprises does not have to release anything except for what is in their contract with the client, which should be the school system, and then only to the client. Their transparency is fine. You have to get the information from the school system. The problem develops when you allow the parent groups to handle this and then they refuse to show things to their members. These groups are not reliable in that regard. They are also only required to show certain things to the school system. There have been other major problems with transparency issues and parent groups.

1) Boosterthon held entirely outside of school hours.

2) Boosterthon contracted only by FCPS, not PTA/PTO.

3) If background checks not public, then principal needs to state he/she has seen and reviewed background checks of each Boosterthon person. At some point, the people doing the background checks needs to be looked at.

4) Boosterthon curriculum evaluated and, to some extent, made public so parents can decide if they want their kids exposed to it after hours.

5) All aspects of contracting 100% transparent.

I could live with this Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1) Boosterthon held entirely outside of school
> hours.
>
> 2) Boosterthon contracted only by FCPS, not
> PTA/PTO.
>
> 3) If background checks not public, then principal
> needs to state he/she has seen and reviewed
> background checks of each Boosterthon person. At
> some point, the people doing the background checks
> needs to be looked at.
>
> 4) Boosterthon curriculum evaluated and, to some
> extent, made public so parents can decide if they
> want their kids exposed to it after hours.
>
> 5) All aspects of contracting 100% transparent.


This is more realistic. I don't know how they work background checks. Sometimes they just have the vendor sign something saying all personnel have been screened. RIGHT........... I seriously doubt the principal is going to personally review all background checks.

If Boosterthon people are going to be on school premises having contact with the kids, they need to be background checked.

If Boosterthon wants to do it, that's fine, but something more than taking their word has to happen-maybe spot checking the background checks, a communication from the background check company? Speaking of background check company, they need to be checked out as well.

I suspect merely making Boosterthon an after-hours activity would be pretty much the end of it.

Boosterthon just does not sound like your cup of tea.

I don't see what good it does to have a vendor sign a statement saying everybody has had a background check and then trusting them blindly and letting them deal with kids.

Boosterthon Background Checks Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If Boosterthon people are going to be on school
> premises having contact with the kids, they need
> to be background checked.
>
> If Boosterthon wants to do it, that's fine, but
> something more than taking their word has to
> happen-maybe spot checking the background checks,
> a communication from the background check company?
> Speaking of background check company, they need to
> be checked out as well.
>
> I suspect merely making Boosterthon an after-hours
> activity would be pretty much the end of it.

They are background checked through the school district. Same as volunteers or others that will be on campus.

Background checked Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon Background Checks Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If Boosterthon people are going to be on school
> > premises having contact with the kids, they
> need
> > to be background checked.
> >
> > If Boosterthon wants to do it, that's fine, but
> > something more than taking their word has to
> > happen-maybe spot checking the background
> checks,
> > a communication from the background check
> company?
> > Speaking of background check company, they need
> to
> > be checked out as well.
> >
> > I suspect merely making Boosterthon an
> after-hours
> > activity would be pretty much the end of it.
>
> They are background checked through the school
> district. Same as volunteers or others that will
> be on campus.

The Boosterthon website says people are checked through S2verify. There's nothing in the FCPS contract about background checks. Sorry, I'm not buying this. What happens in cases where the Boosterthon contract is with PTO/PTA? Where's the mechanism for a school background check (answer: there is none).

I do agree that more than a signed statement from Boosterthon is needed (website could be construed as such). Something concrete is needed. God help us all if even ONE Boosterthon employee does something inappropriate. We need to be proactive here, sorry.

S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to do background checks needs a background check itself.

The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO names of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an address. In this age of VOIP, that means the company could be in Atlanta, but it could also be in Damascus.

If **I** were approving Boosterthon contracts, I'd want background checks on the Boosterthon people and a dossier on this background check company.

S2Verify-Verification Needed! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to do
> background checks needs a background check
> itself.
>
> The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO names
> of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an
> address. In this age of VOIP, that means the
> company could be in Atlanta, but it could also be
> in Damascus.
>
> If **I** were approving Boosterthon contracts, I'd
> want background checks on the Boosterthon people
> and a dossier on this background check company.

Yes, Boosterthon does background check their employees prior to hiring (like any wise company), but FCPS also requires their own background check to be done. Just because it's not in the contract doesn't mean that it's not being done

They do background check Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> S2Verify-Verification Needed! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to do
> > background checks needs a background check
> > itself.
> >
> > The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO
> names
> > of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an
> > address. In this age of VOIP, that means the
> > company could be in Atlanta, but it could also
> be
> > in Damascus.
> >
> > If **I** were approving Boosterthon contracts,
> I'd
> > want background checks on the Boosterthon
> people
> > and a dossier on this background check company.
>
> Yes, Boosterthon does background check their
> employees prior to hiring (like any wise company),
> but FCPS also requires their own background check
> to be done. Just because it's not in the contract
> doesn't mean that it's not being done

Yes, but what's involved in the background check? Some aren't written the paper they are printed on. FCPS needs to give them standards to use.

If FCPS requires it, it NEEDS to be in the contract. Otherwise, Boosterthon could not do it and say the contract did not require it (and they'd be right). It is what is called the "four corners of the contract" and is pretty much obvious and common sense.

S2Verify-Verification Needed! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to do
> background checks needs a background check
> itself.
>
> The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO names
> of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an
> address. In this age of VOIP, that means the
> company could be in Atlanta, but it could also be
> in Damascus.
>
> If **I** were approving Boosterthon contracts, I'd
> want background checks on the Boosterthon people
> and a dossier on this background check company.

Go to "contact us" on their website and you'll see their physical address "3600 Mansell Rd", which is in Atlanta

But yes, lets background check the background check company. You people are rediculous. Do you realize the amount of risk Boosterthon would be taking if they didn't properly background check their people. Surely you have more common sense than that. Or you're just spouting off nonsense to rile people up...

BS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> S2Verify-Verification Needed! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to do
> > background checks needs a background check
> > itself.
> >
> > The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO
> names
> > of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an
> > address. In this age of VOIP, that means the
> > company could be in Atlanta, but it could also
> be
> > in Damascus.
> >
> > If **I** were approving Boosterthon contracts,
> I'd
> > want background checks on the Boosterthon
> people
> > and a dossier on this background check company.
>
> Go to "contact us" on their website and you'll see
> their physical address "3600 Mansell Rd", which is
> in Atlanta
>
> But yes, lets background check the background
> check company. You people are rediculous. Do you
> realize the amount of risk Boosterthon would be
> taking if they didn't properly background check
> their people. Surely you have more common sense
> than that. Or you're just spouting off nonsense to
> rile people up...

And the website lists the CEO as well "BILL C. WHITFORD, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER"

This is going to be a HARD SELL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They do background check Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > S2Verify-Verification Needed! Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > S2Verify, the company used by Boosterthon to
> do
> > > background checks needs a background check
> > > itself.
> > >
> > > The Atlanta-based company's website lists NO
> > names
> > > of personnel and just has a P.O. Box for an
> > > address. In this age of VOIP, that means the
> > > company could be in Atlanta, but it could
> also
> > be
> > > in Damascus.
> > >
> > > If **I** were approving Boosterthon
> contracts,
> > I'd
> > > want background checks on the Boosterthon
> > people
> > > and a dossier on this background check
> company.
> >
> > Yes, Boosterthon does background check their
> > employees prior to hiring (like any wise
> company),
> > but FCPS also requires their own background
> check
> > to be done. Just because it's not in the
> contract
> > doesn't mean that it's not being done
>
> Yes, but what's involved in the background check?
> Some aren't written the paper they are printed on.
> FCPS needs to give them standards to use.
>
> If FCPS requires it, it NEEDS to be in the
> contract. Otherwise, Boosterthon could not do it
> and say the contract did not require it (and
> they'd be right). It is what is called the "four
> corners of the contract" and is pretty much
> obvious and common sense.

Again, do you realize the amount of risk Boosterthon would be taking if they didn;t background check their people? The risk wouldn't be worth it. Anyone with even a little common sense would realize that

Damn it. Who cares if it's true or not? Who cares if we have any facts or not? Let's just keep throwing stuff out there and make accusations.

Sure, they'd be taking a risk, but why not introduce some transparency? That background check company they use is NOT registered in Georgia, where they claim to be, that's a red flag.

As far as the contract, well, Shakespeare did say "let's kill all the lawyers" but we have contracts for a reason. If FCPS requires background checks, putting that in the contract makes that happen. Can you think of some reason why it should not be in the contract?

Tomás de Torquemada Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Damn it. Who cares if it's true or not? Who
> cares if we have any facts or not? Let's just
> keep throwing stuff out there and make
> accusations.


Exactly! I woud LOVE for at least 1 person to be honest and tell everyone what the real agenda here is. Because I've seen complaints about various issues and there is so much nonsense being spouted on here that it's almost as if people are trying to make it obvious that they're spewing nonsense. Normal sensible people don't say the types of things that are being said on here. It is blantantly obvious that some folks on here have made it their mission to keep the Boosterthon issues alive by posting whatever junk they can just to keep the "controversy" alive.

I'm sure there are some people on here with genuine concerns but for the most part all I see is nonsense and more nonsense

Common Sense? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sure, they'd be taking a risk, but why not
> introduce some transparency? That background check
> company they use is NOT registered in Georgia,
> where they claim to be, that's a red flag.
>
> As far as the contract, well, Shakespeare did say
> "let's kill all the lawyers" but we have contracts
> for a reason. If FCPS requires background checks,
> putting that in the contract makes that happen.
> Can you think of some reason why it should not be
> in the contract?

I own a business and all of my employees are background checked. There is no way I or any business owner of a multi-million $ company would cut corners on something like that and take a risk of sinking the whole company because I wanted to save $20 by using a dodgy background check company.

Plus, it's not in the contract because it's already an FCPS policy. When their ID is scanned when they arrive on campus, if they have not completed the FCPS background check, they will be flagged.

This is the FCPS background check completed by all Boosterthon staff that will be on campus http://www.fcps.edu/hr/clientservices/volunteerbackgroundcheck.shtml

1) I pay taxes for instructional hours, not fundraising. That's part of my social contract with the County. If they want to change that it needs to be a bilateral change. As it stands, you're not supposed to fundraise using instructional hours.

2) I don't want people of uncertain backgrounds playing with my kids or having lunch with them.

3) I agree to let FCPS decide what to teach the kids. If they contract with an outfit like Boosterthon, I want to hear from them that they have reviewed and approved the lessons. I have asked for this and not received it. If the PTA/PTO is contracting with Boosterthon to teach/counsel my kids, I have a problem with that.

4) The prizes are crap and the pressure on the kids is not acceptable.

5) The fun run is far from a comprehensive fitness program. Once the run is done, it is done. If this program is so great, where's the reinforcement?

6) I don't like the secrecy. If my kids' school does Boosterthon and I ask for the contract, I ought to get a copy. If FCPS brings them in to my kids' school and I have questions about the contract, I ought to get answers. I know some PTAs/PTOs say they will only talk to parents of kids at their school, but the process needs to be transparent. If a taxpayer wants information about what goes on at a tax dollar funded/receiving entity, they should get it unless there's a good reason not to let them have it.

7) It seems to me NO form of competitive bidding has been done. Dr. Lockard has said "Boosterthon is one of the most effective fundraisers" but come on, this is government after all, where are the numbers to back that up? How does anyone know if some other company can't do a better job? This type of thing is part and parcel of government spending-why the exception here?

I agree with the person above who says that if Boosterthon were an optional, after hours activity, that would resolve the issues surrounding it. I would just tell my kids we could buy them a toy or two and they did not have to do Boosterthon unless they wanted to. Done and over with. I don't see why FCPS, the PTA/PTO and Boosterthon have made this so complicated.

S2Verify's registered agent's name is just given as "Bill."

"Bill" lists what is clearly a residential address.

This residence sold for $136,000 in March of 2004 and then for $855,700 in May of 2005. That's some pretty fancy real estate speculation.

More importantly, though, REPUTABLE companies use a law firm or a registered agent service (e.g., CT) instead of a first name at a home. There could be problems serving this company if a lawsuit were to arise.

Real Agenda Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> 1) I pay taxes for instructional hours, not
> fundraising. That's part of my social contract
> with the County. If they want to change that it
> needs to be a bilateral change. As it stands,
> you're not supposed to fundraise using
> instructional hours.
>
> 2) I don't want people of uncertain backgrounds
> playing with my kids or having lunch with them.
>
> 3) I agree to let FCPS decide what to teach the
> kids. If they contract with an outfit like
> Boosterthon, I want to hear from them that they
> have reviewed and approved the lessons. I have
> asked for this and not received it. If the PTA/PTO
> is contracting with Boosterthon to teach/counsel
> my kids, I have a problem with that.
>
> 4) The prizes are crap and the pressure on the
> kids is not acceptable.
>
> 5) The fun run is far from a comprehensive fitness
> program. Once the run is done, it is done. If this
> program is so great, where's the reinforcement?
>
> 6) I don't like the secrecy. If my kids' school
> does Boosterthon and I ask for the contract, I
> ought to get a copy. If FCPS brings them in to my
> kids' school and I have questions about the
> contract, I ought to get answers. I know some
> PTAs/PTOs say they will only talk to parents of
> kids at their school, but the process needs to be
> transparent. If a taxpayer wants information about
> what goes on at a tax dollar funded/receiving
> entity, they should get it unless there's a good
> reason not to let them have it.
>
> 7) It seems to me NO form of competitive bidding
> has been done. Dr. Lockard has said "Boosterthon
> is one of the most effective fundraisers" but come
> on, this is government after all, where are the
> numbers to back that up? How does anyone know if
> some other company can't do a better job? This
> type of thing is part and parcel of government
> spending-why the exception here?
>
> I agree with the person above who says that if
> Boosterthon were an optional, after hours
> activity, that would resolve the issues
> surrounding it. I would just tell my kids we could
> buy them a toy or two and they did not have to do
> Boosterthon unless they wanted to. Done and over
> with. I don't see why FCPS, the PTA/PTO and
> Boosterthon have made this so complicated.

Counter arguement:

1) Fundraising is necessary to purchase things that further the education of the kids. "Extras" that are not in the budget. Would you rather sell cookie dough?

2) They don't have "uncertain" backgrounds. They are background checked by both Boosterthon and FCPS. They are a positive role model presence on campus and by far the teachers enjoy them being there and approve of what they do. Don't you trust your childs teachers judgement?

3) Boosterthon nor FCPS ever claimed that they are "teachers". The character lessons are fun meesages that reinforce good character traits. Lighten up a little. It's ok for the kids to have fun

4) Boosterthon isn't a toy store. When you give a pledge it's not to purchase a toy, it's to support the school. If the prizes were high quality items Boosterthon would need to take a larger % of the funds raised to cover the increased cost and that would mean less money going to the school. Parents would complain about that. The prizes are a reward for raising money to help their school. Boosterthon does a lot of other stuff for all of the kids, not just give prizes to kids that raise money.

5) Kids get excited for the fun run. Kids getting excited about doing something active is always a good thing. Even if it is for just one day I'm sure it sticks to some degree.

6) I agree with you

7) Other companies really can't accomplish the same thing. Product sales don't even come close to being able to raise as much as Boosterthon and I don't think any other fun run companies operate on the area

The only volunteers that get fingerprinted are the people who are not a parent or legal guardian of a student in the school system. People volunteering in after hours programs don't scan their ID in the front office. Some school systems require full background checks for any adult going on an overnight trip with students. Not a bad idea.

Looks like the onus is on Booster Enterprises to ensure background checks are done. Does FCPS check up on this or not? Don't know.
Attachments:

Liars Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> there are a ton of costs involved that are all
> paid for out of the percentage that Boosterthon
> gets.

If a hypothetical fundraising organization commands, say, 95% of child-generated revenue, it's ok because their margins are thin?
Or 80%? 70%? 48%?

Slim profit margin is a lousy reason to be a for-profit's customer.

Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville, SC) dropping Boosterthon this year.

I can't believe the amount of energy, research, time and effort spent analyzing and arguing over this. If only those parents involved in the discussion would spend 10% of that time/effort within the schools, helping teachers or helping the PTA (financially or otherwise), we would not need the Boosterthon at all.

But something tells me the parents arguing on here are the ones always on the sidelines, complaining about every single thing the school does, yet unwilling to put in any effort to change things other than bitching about it.

> Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville, SC)
> dropping Boosterthon this year.


No company has a 100% rebook rate. What's your point? Smith Elementary in Bailey, MA just signed up with Boosterthon. Who cares?

I second the point of the poster above...why don't you spend this time volunteering at your kids school.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Liars Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > there are a ton of costs involved that are all
> > paid for out of the percentage that Boosterthon
> > gets.
>
> If a hypothetical fundraising organization
> commands, say, 95% of child-generated revenue,
> it's ok because their margins are thin?
> Or 80%? 70%? 48%?
>
>

Slim profit margin is a
> lousy reason to be a for-profit's
> customer.

>
>
> Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville, SC)
> dropping Boosterthon this year.

They are doing Read-a-Thon instead. Same sort of thing, different thon. Like the other poster said, no company has a 100% rebook rate. What's your point?

Working with the PTA has been tried.

Such persons quickly finds themselves facing an
either-you're-with-us-or-you're-against-us
environment. And so we find ourselves creating
a lot of, well, non-friends in our own schools.

I also offered a PTA to contact their PTA Council
on their behalf to solicit PTA-approved alternatives.
There was no response.

This isn't Booster's fault. But please don't assume there's been no attempt to work with our local PTAs.

Financially, I contributed generously to a PTA who dropped Boosterthon.

(1) I think the schools WASTE a lot of money, when I'm convinced WASTE has been handled, I might reconsider the schools' "need" for money. Some examples of WASTE include FCPS' top-heavy administration, Garza's $2000/month housing allowance, these ridiculous consultants they hire, and all of the travel. Cut or reduce those, then let's see how broke they are.

(2) Since the PTA/PTO won't release Boosterthon contracts, no telling if there is language in there, or not, about background checks.

(3) Boosterthon lists its founder, Chris Carneal, as its registered agent. The address given for him is an OLD address for Boosterthon. This is sloppy and potentially problematic. I can see a PTA/PTO not knowing any better, but for what FCPS' supposed "world class" contracting office costs, they should have caught this.

(4) Boosterthon does, indeed extol how its "lessons" augment what is taught in the schools and they claim their "lessons" reinforce school counseling. So yes, they are claiming, indirectly, that their people are working as teachers and counselors. Now, let's see Boosterthon demonstrate that their people are actually qualified in these areas.

(5) There's this little thing called "WORK" that manages to get in the way of doing large scale volunteering at the school. I pay more than enough taxes, if the schools need more people, let them can a couple of these consultants or not send the whole head office to Florida.

Step up to help Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> > Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville, SC)
> > dropping Boosterthon this year.
>
>
> No company has a 100% rebook rate. What's your point?

I don't know the reason(s) AJ Whittenberg dropped Boosterthon.
But are we assuming their reasons have no merit because of, what, rebook rates?

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Step up to help Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville,
> SC)
> > > dropping Boosterthon this year.
> >
> >
> > No company has a 100% rebook rate. What's your
> point?
>
> I don't know the reason(s) AJ Whittenberg dropped
> Boosterthon.
> But are we assuming their reasons have no merit
> because of, what, rebook rates?

Who cares, seriously??

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Working with the PTA has been tried.
>
> Such persons quickly finds themselves facing an
> either-you're-with-us-or-you're-against-us
> environment. And so we find ourselves creating
> a lot of, well, non-friends in our own schools.
>
> I also offered a PTA to contact their PTA Council
> on their behalf to solicit PTA-approved
> alternatives.
> There was no response.
>
> This isn't Booster's fault. But please don't
> assume there's been no attempt to work with our
> local PTAs.
>
> Financially, I contributed generously to a PTA who
> dropped Boosterthon.

So basically everyone just keeps telling you to f@&k off. Maybe you should take the hint. Do you even have a job John Koch or is this all you do all day? You post all over here, then on Facebook and other message boards as Donald Harvey. You sure have made this crusade your personal life mission haven't you. Makes one wonder what your agenda really is...

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Step up to help Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > > Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville,
> SC)
> > > dropping Boosterthon this year.
> >
> >
> > No company has a 100% rebook rate. What's your
> point?
>
> I don't know the reason(s) AJ Whittenberg dropped
> Boosterthon.
> But are we assuming their reasons have no merit
> because of, what, rebook rates?

They serve over 1500 schools a year and more sign up every day. Whatever it is that you're trying to do isn't even making a pin prick.

....aaand we're back with the ad hominem remarks.

Would be very interesting to see if one of the senior people from Boosterthon would be willing to do a Q & A.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ....aaand we're back with the ad hominem remarks.


That seems to be your only response when you have no response...

Ask Me Anything? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would be very interesting to see if one of the
> senior people from Boosterthon would be willing to
> do a Q & A.

This is not the forum for that. Call the office and I'm sure Boosterthon will answer any SENSIBLE questions you have. But if all you're going to ask is agenda slanted questions so you can take the answers and twist them out of context, it's not worth anyone's time to answer.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ....aaand we're back with the ad hominem remarks.


Ad hominem is right...because your personal agenda and background absolutely has something to do with the things you post. You're not just a concerned parent with questions about Boosterthon at your kids school (which would be perfectly ok). You're a man on a mission and it's doubtful that your mission is of reasonable nature. "Donald Harvey" and "New Horizon" aka you (John Koch) has posted things on every internet site you can find, in an effort to rile people up. You've also sent letters to various PTA groups and National PTA and even took Nat PTA's words out of context to further your agenda. The PTA groups and Nat PTA have asked you to stop contacting them and stop using their words and policies out of context. You're a trouble maker with no life and you make things up to rile people up. Boosterthon either jaded you in some way or you work for a competitor who feels threatened by Boosterthon and is paying you to blast them all over the internet.

I've seen people upset about many issues but have never seen anyone go to the lengths you have to create controversy all over the internet.

You even post things like: "Separately, AJ Whittenberg ES (Greenville, SC) dropping Boosterthon this year."

Who cares? Is this seriously what you spend your day doing? I imagine your office has sticky notes and photos all over the wall with yarn connecting them all together like on CSI. You really need to get a life

Here's John Koch (New Horizon). I guess if I looked like that I wouldn't have much of a life either. You were probably picked on as a kid and this is what you do to feel important
Attachments:

Why the attacks on the guy with the kid? The REAL problem is Boosterthon. Meet Boosterthon's spokesman, Brett Trapp. Trapp was so heavily involved in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity that it took him five years to get a degree in English!

Since then, his career has consisted of Boosterthon and continued involvement in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. A real leader, a real role model, and a real educator to be sure.
Attachments:

Two Can Play That Game Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Why the attacks on the guy with the kid? The REAL
> problem is Boosterthon. Meet Boosterthon's
> spokesman, Brett Trapp. Trapp was so heavily
> involved in the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity that it
> took him five years to get a degree in English!
>
> Since then, his career has consisted of
> Boosterthon and continued involvement in the Alpha
> Tau Omega fraternity. A real leader, a real role
> model, and a real educator to be sure.

Lots of people were in fraternities. Doesn't make them bad people. What's your point? That Boosterthon is bad because an employee of theirs was in a fraternity?

One point it seems would be to meet the pro-Boosterthon contingent's approach of making personal attacks on Mr. Koch with a bit of a revelation about one of the key people in Boosterthon.

Another point is that if Mr. Trapp is representative of Boosterthon's staff, then Boosterthon should pack up and go away. I for one don't find a fifth year senior frat boy to be the type of role model I want for my kids.

Yes a lot of people were in fraternities but then one has to ask why so many schools have banned them. Whatever good they may have does not outweigh the bad that they do. In Trapp's case it seems he is still stuck back in those days, he's unable to let go of Rush Week and get on with a real job. The humiliation techniques used to get the kids to get pledges are straight out of Animal House.

Guys! I've lost like 20 pounds since that photo. Please post something more flattering! *toga* *toga*

Notice the conflicts between the new contract and the regulations. The 5810 was totally revised last year. It is very current.
Attachments:

Two Can Play That Game Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> it took him five years to get a degree in English!

One of my nephews took 8 years to finish his first degree in history. And he is now a very highly respected high school history teacher. I guess by your standards he should be fired.

ruserious? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Two Can Play That Game Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > it took him five years to get a degree in
> English!
>
> One of my nephews took 8 years to finish his first
> degree in history. And he is now a very highly
> respected high school history teacher. I guess by
> your standards he should be fired.

Why did he take eight years? If there had been a family crisis, fine. If, like Brett Trapp, he let Alpha Tau Omega run his life, not so fine. And as far as I can tell the only people who respect Trapp are the people who get the free trips to Atlanta.

Trust me when I tell you Boosterthon is a problem. It brings in money, but so do heroin trafficking and prostitution.

Trust me when I say you've lost all credibility when you start comparing Boosterthon to Heroin Trafficking and Prostitution; and when you start posting weird crap about people's educational backgrounds and real estate sales.

You were making relatively valid points earlier, but now it's clear you're just a weirdo. It seems that this topic has become somewhat of an obsession for you... now YOU are the one scaring us all a little. Next thing you know you'll be assaulting the Boosterthon reps???

A school fundraiser run by evangelicals that is a front for prostitution, drug trafficking, and some real estate scandal.

Justin Bieber as the head evangelist.

Lindsay Lohan as one of the prostitutes.

Wes Studi as a heroin trafficker.

Benedict Cumberbatch and Gwyneth Paltro play new arrivals to the community. Puzzled by the real estate prices, they unearth the rest.

Rosie O'Donnell as the school official who won't listen.

Steven Segal as an honest handyman working for the crooked real estate guy (played by Tom Cruise). Segal is really an undercover FBI agent, and at the last minute the Cumberbatch kids are rescued from the clutches of Bieber and Lohan.

Gritty soundtrack by Mike Watt (his first soundtrack?).

Toss the film together, we'd have it for Summer 2016, it would be a blockbuster.

Pattern of Facts? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If, like Brett Trapp, he let
> Alpha Tau Omega run his life, not so fine.

Explain why that make a hill of beans difference at this point if true.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Tau_Omega
Looks like a reputable fraternity to me.

> And as far as I can tell the only people who respect
> Trapp are the people who get the free trips to
> Atlanta.

What evidence other than your statement do you have that this is true?


> Trust me when I tell you Boosterthon is a problem.

Why should we trust you? Fallacy of Authority. A sure sign of a losing argument.

> It brings in money, but so do heroin trafficking
> and prostitution.

No, as a matter of fact heroin trafficking and prostitution are not fundraising techniques used in schools.

CnydM Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pattern of Facts? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If, like Brett Trapp, he let
> > Alpha Tau Omega run his life, not so fine.
>
> Explain why that make a hill of beans difference
> at this point if true.
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_Tau_Omega
> Looks like a reputable fraternity to me.

Read this:

http://www.klkntv.com/story/29558558/unl-suspends-alpha-tau-omega-fraternity

And, using the words "fraternity" and "reputable" too close together is hella problematic if you ask me (or even if you don't ask me).

>
> > And as far as I can tell the only people who
> respect
> > Trapp are the people who get the free trips to
> > Atlanta.
>
> What evidence other than your statement do you
> have that this is true?
>
>
> > Trust me when I tell you Boosterthon is a
> problem.
>
> Why should we trust you? Fallacy of Authority. A
> sure sign of a losing argument.
>
> > It brings in money, but so do heroin
> trafficking
> > and prostitution.
>
> No, as a matter of fact heroin trafficking and
> prostitution are not fundraising techniques used
> in schools.

I think the point being made was that fundraising, trafficking and prostitution all bring in money.

This is getting more bizarre with every post.

lkjh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is getting more bizarre with every post.


Exactly! And these people wonder why their complaints fall on deaf ears at FCPS. Just a bunch of crazies spouting off crazy talk. No one in their right mind would take any of those arguments seriously.

Crazies Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lkjh Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > This is getting more bizarre with every post.
>
>
> Exactly! And these people wonder why their
> complaints fall on deaf ears at FCPS. Just a bunch
> of crazies spouting off crazy talk. No one in
> their right mind would take any of those arguments
> seriously.

Exactly.

The valid, rational complaints are-

Why is instructional time being used. They say they don't have enough time to teach everything. Well then, why are three hours reserved for a fundraiser? There are multiple regulations that prohibit this. How can they justify public funds being used this way? How can they say public funds are not being misused? Who do they think pays for the salaries, the building and grounds, etc.?

Why is the FCPS contract not being used? The regulations mandate that if students are involved, the money is supposed to be in a school account. We paid good money to have that drawn up.

Why would/did a PTA president refuse to show a contract to a member of the non-profit? Was the parent a member of the non-profit? Again, why is a PTA or O president obligating staff, building and grounds, and children during the school day? They don't have any right to do that. Anything they do is supposed to be outside of school hours. And the money is supposed to run through a school account, anyway. And that means from the beginning, not after it has languished in a PTA or O bank account.

Why are principals allowing people in the school during the school day that they do not have any type of written agreement with, and letting them closely interact with children (and interrupt the instructional time they are responsible for)? And then turning their back on their responsibilities. Why are they not held accountable?

Why are the School Board and Administration not following written policies? Why is the School Board not insisting staff follow their policies? This is nothing new for them. It is Dr. Garza's responsibility to ensure that all policies are enforced. That is what we pay her to do. Why does she repeatedly ignore this, while being paid more than the Governor? If things are not being handled properly, the processes need to be fixed right away, NOT in three years. Maybe.

It seems that the business model being used has children in a contest that puts a lot of pressure on them to cooperate, and makes those that don't (and they don't have to) feel bad. Again, a policy and ethical violation.

I don't have a particular problem with the profit Boosterthon makes. They are just like any other fundraising company. They need and want to make money for themselves. If people don't like the terms, they are free to not participate, and should have minimal problem with this if it is done outside of school hours.

This is really messed up.

lkjh Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Crazies Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > lkjh Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > This is getting more bizarre with every post.
> >
> >
> > Exactly! And these people wonder why their
> > complaints fall on deaf ears at FCPS. Just a
> bunch
> > of crazies spouting off crazy talk. No one in
> > their right mind would take any of those
> arguments
> > seriously.
>
> Exactly.
>
> The valid, rational complaints are-
>
> Why is instructional time being used. They say
> they don't have enough time to teach everything.
> Well then, why are three hours reserved for a
> fundraiser? There are multiple regulations that
> prohibit this. How can they justify public funds
> being used this way? How can they say public funds
> are not being misused? Who do they think pays for
> the salaries, the building and grounds, etc.?
>
> Why is the FCPS contract not being used? The
> regulations mandate that if students are involved,
> the money is supposed to be in a school account.
> We paid good money to have that drawn up.
>
> Why would/did a PTA president refuse to show a
> contract to a member of the non-profit? Was the
> parent a member of the non-profit? Again, why is a
> PTA or O president obligating staff, building and
> grounds, and children during the school day? They
> don't have any right to do that. Anything they do
> is supposed to be outside of school hours. And the
> money is supposed to run through a school account,
> anyway. And that means from the beginning, not
> after it has languished in a PTA or O bank
> account.
>
> Why are principals allowing people in the school
> during the school day that they do not have any
> type of written agreement with, and letting them
> closely interact with children (and interrupt the
> instructional time they are responsible for)? And
> then turning their back on their responsibilities.
> Why are they not held accountable?
>
> Why are the School Board and Administration not
> following written policies? Why is the School
> Board not insisting staff follow their policies?
> This is nothing new for them. It is Dr. Garza's
> responsibility to ensure that all policies are
> enforced. That is what we pay her to do. Why does
> she repeatedly ignore this, while being paid more
> than the Governor? If things are not being handled
> properly, the processes need to be fixed right
> away, NOT in three years. Maybe.
>
> It seems that the business model being used has
> children in a contest that puts a lot of pressure
> on them to cooperate, and makes those that don't
> (and they don't have to) feel bad. Again, a policy
> and ethical violation.
>
> I don't have a particular problem with the profit
> Boosterthon makes. They are just like any other
> fundraising company. They need and want to make
> money for themselves. If people don't like the
> terms, they are free to not participate, and
> should have minimal problem with this if it is
> done outside of school hours.
>
> This is really messed up.

+1,000

Now, why can't FCPS (or the school board) respond to these concerns?

YES. These are the issues! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> lkjh Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Crazies Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > lkjh Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > This is getting more bizarre with every
> post.
> > >
> > >
> > > Exactly! And these people wonder why their
> > > complaints fall on deaf ears at FCPS. Just a
> > bunch
> > > of crazies spouting off crazy talk. No one in
> > > their right mind would take any of those
> > arguments
> > > seriously.
> >
> > Exactly.
> >
> > The valid, rational complaints are-
> >
> > Why is instructional time being used. They say
> > they don't have enough time to teach
> everything.
> > Well then, why are three hours reserved for a
> > fundraiser? There are multiple regulations that
> > prohibit this. How can they justify public
> funds
> > being used this way? How can they say public
> funds
> > are not being misused? Who do they think pays
> for
> > the salaries, the building and grounds, etc.?
> >
> > Why is the FCPS contract not being used? The
> > regulations mandate that if students are
> involved,
> > the money is supposed to be in a school
> account.
> > We paid good money to have that drawn up.
> >
> > Why would/did a PTA president refuse to show a
> > contract to a member of the non-profit? Was the
> > parent a member of the non-profit? Again, why is
> a
> > PTA or O president obligating staff, building
> and
> > grounds, and children during the school day?
> They
> > don't have any right to do that. Anything they
> do
> > is supposed to be outside of school hours. And
> the
> > money is supposed to run through a school
> account,
> > anyway. And that means from the beginning, not
> > after it has languished in a PTA or O bank
> > account.
> >
> > Why are principals allowing people in the
> school
> > during the school day that they do not have any
> > type of written agreement with, and letting
> them
> > closely interact with children (and interrupt
> the
> > instructional time they are responsible for)?
> And
> > then turning their back on their
> responsibilities.
> > Why are they not held accountable?
> >
> > Why are the School Board and Administration not
> > following written policies? Why is the School
> > Board not insisting staff follow their
> policies?
> > This is nothing new for them. It is Dr. Garza's
> > responsibility to ensure that all policies are
> > enforced. That is what we pay her to do. Why
> does
> > she repeatedly ignore this, while being paid
> more
> > than the Governor? If things are not being
> handled
> > properly, the processes need to be fixed right
> > away, NOT in three years. Maybe.
> >
> > It seems that the business model being used has
> > children in a contest that puts a lot of
> pressure
> > on them to cooperate, and makes those that
> don't
> > (and they don't have to) feel bad. Again, a
> policy
> > and ethical violation.
> >
> > I don't have a particular problem with the
> profit
> > Boosterthon makes. They are just like any other
> > fundraising company. They need and want to make
> > money for themselves. If people don't like the
> > terms, they are free to not participate, and
> > should have minimal problem with this if it is
> > done outside of school hours.
> >
> > This is really messed up.
>
> +1,000
>
> Now, why can't FCPS (or the school board) respond
> to these concerns?

They have and your group didn't like the response. They have more important things to do rather than to allow themselves to get distracted with what's otherwise just a small group of complainers.

I noticed as soon as the school year started the kids were out in full force selling crap. Scout's has their popcorn, football team had their wrapping paper catalog, band had their gourmet chocolates, ect, ect. I understand them needing funds, but raising them by becoming a door-to-door salesman for a thrid-party for profit company is silly. I told some of those kids they would make a lot more money raking leaves this fall. In fact, I will buy some kid a uniform, violin, or camping equipment if they keep my lawn leaf free this fall. Spare me your overpriced junk food and Chinese knick knacks.

They have responded Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> YES. These are the issues! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > lkjh Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Crazies Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > lkjh Wrote:
> > > >
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > >
> > > > -----
> > > > > This is getting more bizarre with every
> > post.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Exactly! And these people wonder why their
> > > > complaints fall on deaf ears at FCPS. Just
> a
> > > bunch
> > > > of crazies spouting off crazy talk. No one
> in
> > > > their right mind would take any of those
> > > arguments
> > > > seriously.
> > >
> > > Exactly.
> > >
> > > The valid, rational complaints are-
> > >
> > > Why is instructional time being used. They
> say
> > > they don't have enough time to teach
> > everything.
> > > Well then, why are three hours reserved for a
> > > fundraiser? There are multiple regulations
> that
> > > prohibit this. How can they justify public
> > funds
> > > being used this way? How can they say public
> > funds
> > > are not being misused? Who do they think pays
> > for
> > > the salaries, the building and grounds, etc.?
> > >
> > > Why is the FCPS contract not being used? The
> > > regulations mandate that if students are
> > involved,
> > > the money is supposed to be in a school
> > account.
> > > We paid good money to have that drawn up.
> > >
> > > Why would/did a PTA president refuse to show
> a
> > > contract to a member of the non-profit? Was
> the
> > > parent a member of the non-profit? Again, why
> is
> > a
> > > PTA or O president obligating staff, building
> > and
> > > grounds, and children during the school day?
> > They
> > > don't have any right to do that. Anything
> they
> > do
> > > is supposed to be outside of school hours.
> And
> > the
> > > money is supposed to run through a school
> > account,
> > > anyway. And that means from the beginning,
> not
> > > after it has languished in a PTA or O bank
> > > account.
> > >
> > > Why are principals allowing people in the
> > school
> > > during the school day that they do not have
> any
> > > type of written agreement with, and letting
> > them
> > > closely interact with children (and interrupt
> > the
> > > instructional time they are responsible for)?
> > And
> > > then turning their back on their
> > responsibilities.
> > > Why are they not held accountable?
> > >
> > > Why are the School Board and Administration
> not
> > > following written policies? Why is the School
> > > Board not insisting staff follow their
> > policies?
> > > This is nothing new for them. It is Dr.
> Garza's
> > > responsibility to ensure that all policies
> are
> > > enforced. That is what we pay her to do. Why
> > does
> > > she repeatedly ignore this, while being paid
> > more
> > > than the Governor? If things are not being
> > handled
> > > properly, the processes need to be fixed
> right
> > > away, NOT in three years. Maybe.
> > >
> > > It seems that the business model being used
> has
> > > children in a contest that puts a lot of
> > pressure
> > > on them to cooperate, and makes those that
> > don't
> > > (and they don't have to) feel bad. Again, a
> > policy
> > > and ethical violation.
> > >
> > > I don't have a particular problem with the
> > profit
> > > Boosterthon makes. They are just like any
> other
> > > fundraising company. They need and want to
> make
> > > money for themselves. If people don't like
> the
> > > terms, they are free to not participate, and
> > > should have minimal problem with this if it
> is
> > > done outside of school hours.
> > >
> > > This is really messed up.
> >
> > +1,000
> >
> > Now, why can't FCPS (or the school board)
> respond
> > to these concerns?
>
> They have and your group didn't like the response.
> They have more important things to do rather than
> to allow themselves to get distracted with what's
> otherwise just a small group of complainers.


Not in my case. School principal said it was referred to the Communications Office. Nothing back from them. Emails/calls to principal not returned. Emails to Communications Office not returned. Call to Communications Office, was told there was no one available to talk to.

sorry no reply Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Call to Communications Office, was told
> there was no one available to talk to.

Hi,

So if you mean John Torre - he can be unresponsive even to other FCPS employees. If you haven't already, maybe try Ms. Reaves number instead...?
http://www.fcps.edu/cco/media.shtml

But even if you get through to her, she's highly unlikely to depart from or add anything to what's been said by anybody else at FCPS.

Another thought: Use the FCPSinfo portal. https://fcpsinfo.fcps.edu/arsys/forms/caseapprod/CORE%3APortal/Anonymous+Portal+View/?usertimezone=America%2FDetroit&cacheid=4ec690e

Statistics about FCPSinfo use and timeliness of responses are reported in the annual Monitoring Report entitled "Treatment of Community Stakeholders" provided to the Fairfax County School Board.

I wouldn't take this to mean, however, that the responses are indeed timely ( 6 weeks is not unheard of). And even then, the response you get might not be very satisfying. And then, if you send follow-up questions to whoever sent you the reply, it may well go unanswered. (The timeliness of responses of individual employees are not tracked.)

And then of course there are FOIA requests. FCPS does indeed respond to these in accordance with laws. And as such, they have the discretion to ask for payment.

BOYCOTT THE DAMN THING.

OK.......... Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BOYCOTT THE DAMN THING.


I tried but those kids were well trained and responded with the sad puppy dog face. It was well played and I had no other option than to spend $24 on an assortment of 3 different types of popcorn sandwiched in a tin with a cardboard divider.

I don't even like the buttery flavored one.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sorry no reply Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Call to Communications Office, was told
> > there was no one available to talk to.
>
> Hi,
>
> So if you mean John Torre - he can be unresponsive
> even to other FCPS employees. If you haven't
> already, maybe try Ms. Reaves number instead...?
>
> http://www.fcps.edu/cco/media.shtml
>
> But even if you get through to her, she's highly
> unlikely to depart from or add anything to what's
> been said by anybody else at FCPS.
>
> Another thought: Use the FCPSinfo portal.
> https://fcpsinfo.fcps.edu/arsys/forms/caseapprod/C
> ORE%3APortal/Anonymous+Portal+View/?usertimezone=A
> merica%2FDetroit&cacheid=4ec690e
>
> Statistics about FCPSinfo use and timeliness of
> responses are reported in the annual Monitoring
> Report entitled "Treatment of Community
> Stakeholders" provided to the Fairfax County
> School Board.
>
> I wouldn't take this to mean, however, that the
> responses are indeed timely ( 6 weeks is not
> unheard of). And even then, the response you get
> might not be very satisfying. And then, if you
> send follow-up questions to whoever sent you the
> reply, it may well go unanswered. (The timeliness
> of responses of individual employees are not
> tracked.)
>
> And then of course there are FOIA requests. FCPS
> does indeed respond to these in accordance with
> laws. And as such, they have the discretion to
> ask for payment.

I sent email to Guilfoyle and his assistant. The web site says Guilfoyle, recruited from the office of the Architect of the Capitol, is in charge. I spoke to his assistant, left a message, also left a message on his voicemail.

If this is being tracked, it won't look good.

sorry no reply Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> If this is being tracked, it won't look good.


Not being tracked.
If you use the FCPSinfo portal instead, I hope you'll report back your experience.

"And then of course there are FOIA requests. FCPS does indeed respond to these in accordance with laws. And as such, they have the discretion to ask for payment."

FOIA the fuck out of them. They need the pressure of having the stupid things they do put out for the public to see.

Boosterthon haters on here have been talking about Mills Park Elementary and that they "gave Boosterthon the boot" because some parents said in a survey that they would rather do a direct donation fundraiser. Well...that's not going very well and I emailed the PTA and they said they are bringing Boosterthon back next year because participation was actually much higher with Boosterthon so it would appear overall parents supported that more. And because the direct donation fundraiser isn't going well they've even introduced prizes now. Boosterthon raises for schools what they can't raise on their own. Point proven!

From the Mills Park PTA website:

"There are only 4 days left (including today). Thank you to the 325 families and staff who have donated. We are at 52% of our goal

Each family that donates by our Oct. 2nd deadline will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad mini 2! The winner will be chosen on Oct. 5th and notified by email.

Also, for our final week, we are introducing a friendly grade level competition. The class with the highest percent participation per grade will receive a visit from Millie and a special morning treat!"

Boosterthon works! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Boosterthon haters on here have been talking about
> Mills Park Elementary and that they "gave
> Boosterthon the boot" because some parents said in
> a survey that they would rather do a direct
> donation fundraiser. Well...that's not going very
> well and I emailed the PTA and they said they are
> bringing Boosterthon back next year because
> participation was actually much higher with
> Boosterthon so it would appear overall parents
> supported that more. And because the direct
> donation fundraiser isn't going well they've even
> introduced prizes now. Boosterthon raises for
> schools what they can't raise on their own. Point
> proven!
>
> From the Mills Park PTA website:
>
> "There are only 4 days left (including today).
> Thank you to the 325 families and staff who have
> donated. We are at 52% of our goal
>
> Each family that donates by our Oct. 2nd deadline
> will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad mini
> 2! The winner will be chosen on Oct. 5th and
> notified by email.
>
> Also, for our final week, we are introducing a
> friendly grade level competition. The class with
> the highest percent participation per grade will
> receive a visit from Millie and a special morning
> treat!"


I should mention that the direct donation fundraiser has been running for 3 weeks and they're still only at 52%. Boosterthon only goes for 6 days plus the weekend :)

Still better Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I should mention that the direct donation
> fundraiser has been running for 3 weeks and
> they're still only at 52%. Boosterthon only goes
> for 6 days plus the weekend :)

Yes, Booster Enterprises is excellent at making PreK-6 children very lucrative.

A new school board may not allow Boosterthon to return at all, or, if allowed, there will be many conditions, such as not doing it during school hours.

I don't know the situation in North Carolina. Here in Fairfax, though, people are angry about waste in the schools. What with taxes being due October 15th, the timing of Boosterthon, and other questionable FCPS vendors, is not good…

http://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=8768

It also mentions the "Change the World Foundation"-the religious organization run by Boosterthon founder, Chris Carneal.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still better Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I should mention that the direct donation
> > fundraiser has been running for 3 weeks and
> > they're still only at 52%. Boosterthon only
> goes
> > for 6 days plus the weekend :)
>
> Yes, Booster Enterprises is excellent at making
> PreK-6 children very lucrative.

It's great at making fundraising lucrative! The parents decide if they want to include their kids in the asking for pledges part. And the fun run is fun for kids.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Still better Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> > I should mention that the direct donation
> > fundraiser has been running for 3 weeks and
> > they're still only at 52%. Boosterthon only
> goes
> > for 6 days plus the weekend :)
>
> Yes, Booster Enterprises is excellent at making
> PreK-6 children very lucrative.


You're probably one of those parents that blames McDonalds for your kids being fat...

Texas Denounces Boosterthon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> http://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/forum/viewtopic
> .php?f=3&t=8768
>
> It also mentions the "Change the World
> Foundation"-the religious organization run by
> Boosterthon founder, Chris Carneal.


You realize that was 2.5 years ago right? And was only a handful of parents. Find me anything in this world that 100% of people love. That message board is hardly "Texas Denounces Boosterthon" lmao

Really reaching there Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Texas Denounces Boosterthon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> http://www.crosstimbersgazette.com/forum/viewtopic
>
> > .php?f=3&t=8768
> >
> > It also mentions the "Change the World
> > Foundation"-the religious organization run by
> > Boosterthon founder, Chris Carneal.
>
>
> You realize that was 2.5 years ago right? And was
> only a handful of parents. Find me anything in
> this world that 100% of people love. That message
> board is hardly "Texas Denounces Boosterthon" lmao

And they are still using Boosterthon 2.5 years later so it's safe to assume most parents there support it. Maybe parents are just extra crabby in FFC? Or FFPS really does suck that bad and so Boosterthon is just something else for them to complain about, whereas other school systems that are run well the parents better support things they do including Boosterthon?

What? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's great at making fundraising lucrative! The
> parents decide if they want to include their kids
> in the asking for pledges part. And the fun run is
> fun for kids.

Time for an in-classroom happy dance!
https://youtu.be/nQWd_e2Qkew

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It's great at making fundraising lucrative! The
> > parents decide if they want to include their
> kids
> > in the asking for pledges part. And the fun run
> is
> > fun for kids.
>
> Time for an in-classroom happy dance!
> https://youtu.be/nQWd_e2Qkew

That looks like a ton of fun for the kids! I saw a couple days of the Boosterthon program at my sons school and one of the days they did a dance party like that for the class after they did the character lesson. The dance party was about 5 minutes long and they got it because the class hit a goal on their pledge-o-meter poster. I thought it was pretty cool that they did that. That was the whole class is getting awarded rather than just kids that are getting pledges. That way kids don't feel left out if they're not raising money. A+ Boosterthon!

Love it! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> NewHorizon Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What? Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > It's great at making fundraising lucrative!
> The
> > > parents decide if they want to include their
> > kids
> > > in the asking for pledges part. And the fun
> run
> > is
> > > fun for kids.
> >
> > Time for an in-classroom happy dance!
> > https://youtu.be/nQWd_e2Qkew
>
> That looks like a ton of fun for the kids! I saw a
> couple days of the Boosterthon program at my sons
> school and one of the days they did a dance party
> like that for the class after they did the
> character lesson. The dance party was about 5
> minutes long and they got it because the class hit
> a goal on their pledge-o-meter poster. I thought
> it was pretty cool that they did that. That was
> the whole class is getting awarded rather than
> just kids that are getting pledges. That way kids
> don't feel left out if they're not raising money.
> A+ Boosterthon!

Some people have what appear to be valid objections to Boosterthon, such as the use of school time and the percentage taken by Boosterthon.

But being for it because of prizes or dance parties is really questionable. The person comparing Boosterthon to the drug trade may have engaged in hyperbole, but the idea that we need to contract with people to come in and run a five minute dance party is really ridiculous, even by FCPS standards. So what is the agenda of these Boosterthon supporters? Are these people who really like the trips to Atlanta or are we seeing the work of Boosterthon employees?

one has to wonder Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Love it! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > NewHorizon Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > What? Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > It's great at making fundraising lucrative!
> > The
> > > > parents decide if they want to include
> their
> > > kids
> > > > in the asking for pledges part. And the fun
> > run
> > > is
> > > > fun for kids.
> > >
> > > Time for an in-classroom happy dance!
> > > https://youtu.be/nQWd_e2Qkew
> >
> > That looks like a ton of fun for the kids! I saw
> a
> > couple days of the Boosterthon program at my
> sons
> > school and one of the days they did a dance
> party
> > like that for the class after they did the
> > character lesson. The dance party was about 5
> > minutes long and they got it because the class
> hit
> > a goal on their pledge-o-meter poster. I
> thought
> > it was pretty cool that they did that. That was
> > the whole class is getting awarded rather than
> > just kids that are getting pledges. That way
> kids
> > don't feel left out if they're not raising
> money.
> > A+ Boosterthon!
>
> Some people have what appear to be valid
> objections to Boosterthon, such as the use of
> school time and the percentage taken by
> Boosterthon.
>
> But being for it because of prizes or dance
> parties is really questionable. The person
> comparing Boosterthon to the drug trade may have
> engaged in hyperbole, but the idea that we need to
> contract with people to come in and run a five
> minute dance party is really ridiculous, even by
> FCPS standards. So what is the agenda of these
> Boosterthon supporters? Are these people who
> really like the trips to Atlanta or are we seeing
> the work of Boosterthon employees?

What I find funny is you people complain if your kids feel left out if they don't get prizes so Boosterthon responds by adding class awards to the program so all kids are included in things even if they don't raise money and yet you still complain. You complain that prizes aren't high quality but if Boosterthon bought high quality prizes they would have to giv eless of the revenue back to the school and you would complain about that.

That's the reason FCPS and others have stopped responding to you...because it doesn't matter what Booster or FCPS does, you are still going to complain.

one has to wonder Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Love it! Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > NewHorizon Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > What? Wrote:
> > >
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> >
> > > -----
> > > > It's great at making fundraising lucrative!
> > The
> > > > parents decide if they want to include
> their
> > > kids
> > > > in the asking for pledges part. And the fun
> > run
> > > is
> > > > fun for kids.
> > >
> > > Time for an in-classroom happy dance!
> > > https://youtu.be/nQWd_e2Qkew
> >
> > That looks like a ton of fun for the kids! I saw
> a
> > couple days of the Boosterthon program at my
> sons
> > school and one of the days they did a dance
> party
> > like that for the class after they did the
> > character lesson. The dance party was about 5
> > minutes long and they got it because the class
> hit
> > a goal on their pledge-o-meter poster. I
> thought
> > it was pretty cool that they did that. That was
> > the whole class is getting awarded rather than
> > just kids that are getting pledges. That way
> kids
> > don't feel left out if they're not raising
> money.
> > A+ Boosterthon!
>
> Some people have what appear to be valid
> objections to Boosterthon, such as the use of
> school time and the percentage taken by
> Boosterthon.
>
> But being for it because of prizes or dance
> parties is really questionable. The person
> comparing Boosterthon to the drug trade may have
> engaged in hyperbole, but the idea that we need to
> contract with people to come in and run a five
> minute dance party is really ridiculous, even by
> FCPS standards. So what is the agenda of these
> Boosterthon supporters? Are these people who
> really like the trips to Atlanta or are we seeing
> the work of Boosterthon employees?

From what it sounds like, I'm going to venture to guess that that was written by a parent

It seems a little odd that the "parent" who spent a couple of days comments on nothing but the dance party.

The character lesson is mentioned but not discussed. Isn't this one of the cornerstones of Boosterthon? Odd that nothing is said about it.

Also odd--nothing about the Boosterthon teacher.

Boosterthon is supposed to be more than dance parties. And, what kind of dance party is only 5 minutes long?

This "parent" seems more than a little suspect.

strange parent? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It seems a little odd that the "parent" who spent
> a couple of days comments on nothing but the dance
> party.
>
> The character lesson is mentioned but not
> discussed. Isn't this one of the cornerstones of
> Boosterthon? Odd that nothing is said about it.
>
> Also odd--nothing about the Boosterthon teacher.
>
> Boosterthon is supposed to be more than dance
> parties. And, what kind of dance party is only 5
> minutes long?
>
> This "parent" seems more than a little suspect.

I'm laughing out loud reading all this. The parent obviously responded to the post about the dance party which is why they commented on the dance party only. Your post is a prime example of trying to create controversy out of nothing. I'm assuming the dance party was only 5 minutes because it was a class award for hitting a goal on the pledge poster as the parent said. Again, you're trying to create controversy from nothing.

Even though people don't like the cookie dough and wrapping paper fundraisers, they don't stir up controversy like Boosterthon does.

There are 2 reasons for that:

1) Boosterthon has mastered the art of exploiting kids, and this includes the intrusive school presence they maintain.

2) FCPS + PTO/PTA are secretive and evasive about Boosterthon. What is this "issue is closed" crap when they keep changing the contracts? Why is it that schools don't respond, refer you to the Communications office, and then they don't respond either?

It seems to me Boosterthon AND its sponsors, the schools and PTAs/PTOs have helped make the controversy.

Creator of Controversy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Even though people don't like the cookie dough and
> wrapping paper fundraisers, they don't stir up
> controversy like Boosterthon does.
>
> There are 2 reasons for that:
>
> 1) Boosterthon has mastered the art of exploiting
> kids, and this includes the intrusive school
> presence they maintain.
>
> 2) FCPS + PTO/PTA are secretive and evasive about
> Boosterthon. What is this "issue is closed" crap
> when they keep changing the contracts? Why is it
> that schools don't respond, refer you to the
> Communications office, and then they don't respond
> either?
>
> It seems to me Boosterthon AND its sponsors, the
> schools and PTAs/PTOs have helped make the
> controversy.

It has been said over and over on here that they don't respond to the Boosterthon thing anymore because it doesn't matter what they tell you all you still aren't satisfied. IT IS A WASTE OF THEIR TIME TO CONTINUE TO RESPOND TO YOU. What don't you get about that?? Seriously, this discussion has gone on for over 3 years on FFU..it's never ending and everyone at the school, PTA and FCPS is tired of wasting their time addressing something that your group just keeps going in circles on. But I'm sure this will fall on deaf ears and you'll keep going round and round for another three years

Yes, I'm a broken record, or maybe a skipping CD.

I wrote to the principal and received a response, but hang on, the response said I'd hear back from the Office of Communications.

I have heard nothing from the Office of Communications.

I have contacted the principal, who now does not reply at all.

I have emailed the Office of Communications. I have left messages there. Once, I got a live person, and was told there's no one to talk to.

I have, specifically, left a message for Matt Guilfoyle, the head of the Office of Communications. Nothing back.

I can't speak for others, but I've received no response. It is not "don't respond any more" but in my case "don't respond at at all" and there is obviously a difference.

Based on this, I have to think there's a problem with Boosterthon. The school and Office of Communications must know about my inquiry, and they're ignoring it.

how about a response to ME? Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, I'm a broken record, or maybe a skipping CD.
>
> I wrote to the principal and received a response,
> but hang on, the response said I'd hear back from
> the Office of Communications.
>
> I have heard nothing from the Office of
> Communications.
>
> I have contacted the principal, who now does not
> reply at all.
>
> I have emailed the Office of Communications. I
> have left messages there. Once, I got a live
> person, and was told there's no one to talk to.
>
> I have, specifically, left a message for Matt
> Guilfoyle, the head of the Office of
> Communications. Nothing back.
>
> I can't speak for others, but I've received no
> response. It is not "don't respond any more" but
> in my case "don't respond at at all" and there is
> obviously a difference.
>
> Based on this, I have to think there's a problem
> with Boosterthon. The school and Office of
> Communications must know about my inquiry, and
> they're ignoring it.


This is how they treat the people who pay their salaries. Not to worry. This is how they treat everybody. They are very proud of how utterly rude they are.

Oh sweetheart----> Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> how about a response to ME? Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yes, I'm a broken record, or maybe a skipping
> CD.
> >
> > I wrote to the principal and received a
> response,
> > but hang on, the response said I'd hear back
> from
> > the Office of Communications.
> >
> > I have heard nothing from the Office of
> > Communications.
> >
> > I have contacted the principal, who now does
> not
> > reply at all.
> >
> > I have emailed the Office of Communications. I
> > have left messages there. Once, I got a live
> > person, and was told there's no one to talk to.
> >
> > I have, specifically, left a message for Matt
> > Guilfoyle, the head of the Office of
> > Communications. Nothing back.
> >
> > I can't speak for others, but I've received no
> > response. It is not "don't respond any more"
> but
> > in my case "don't respond at at all" and there
> is
> > obviously a difference.
> >
> > Based on this, I have to think there's a
> problem
> > with Boosterthon. The school and Office of
> > Communications must know about my inquiry, and
> > they're ignoring it.
>
>
> This is how they treat the people who pay their
> salaries. Not to worry. This is how they treat
> everybody. They are very proud of how utterly rude
> they are.

This is a clear reason to vote out every single incumbent (where possible some are running unopposed) and demand that Garza, Lockard, Atwater etc. be fired and that an audit be done of this communications office. They act like this with our high taxes and Patty Reed wants to raise them?

They are all arrogant, rude, greedy, they don't like being held accountable, the School Board could care less. This is unacceptable. Vote the Board out and get some people in there who expect the school staff to do their jobs properly and respond appropriately.

Lots of bigger problems in the world. Smile today and lighten up :)
Attachments:

I have 5 kids in FCPS and other than FFXU, have never heard of Boosterthon.

Don't get it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have 5 kids in FCPS and other than FFXU, have
> never heard of Boosterthon.

Hi,

Your elementary school's PTA/O has almost certainly been approached by Booster.
If you haven't heard of Boosterthon, then it probably means your PTA/O opted not to do Boosterthon (and you weren't in their meetings).

But yeah, for all the talk of voting out the School Board, it's just not on the radar for the many voters like yourself who've never been exposed to the issue.

NewHorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> But yeah, for all the talk of voting out the
> School Board, it's just not on the radar for the
> many voters like yourself who've never been
> exposed to the issue.

If I'm wrong about that, I wouldn't mind:

"I have had many voters talk to me about their concerns regarding fundraising during school hours. Also, people are concerned, as you mention, that the companies are gaining most of the profits from these activities." -Tom Wilson for FCPS School Board: Sully District

"You are not the first person to raise this concern to me. My own children's school participates in this program. I feel the reasons behind adopting the program need to be examined." -Jeanette Hough School Board

Dalia Palchik and Pete Kurzenhauser don't like it either.

Dare Taken! Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If there are 500 kids in a school, that's
> $16875 (average 2.5 hours for Boosterthon).

Amazingly, FCPS puts the figure at $0.
http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/1977772/2003621.html#msg-2003621

The Board of Supervisors has all but told Garza to knock off the fraud and waste as no extra money is coming. Further, Boosterthon was called out by name as a specific area of concern. This, despite the presence of former school board members Storck and Smith on the Board of Supervisors.

word has it Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Board of Supervisors has all but told Garza to
> knock off the fraud and waste as no extra money is
> coming. Further, Boosterthon was called out by
> name as a specific area of concern. This, despite
> the presence of former school board members Storck
> and Smith on the Board of Supervisors.


Says who?

786 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> word has it Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Board of Supervisors has all but told Garza
> to
> > knock off the fraud and waste as no extra money
> is
> > coming. Further, Boosterthon was called out by
> > name as a specific area of concern. This,
> despite
> > the presence of former school board members
> Storck
> > and Smith on the Board of Supervisors.
>
>
> Says who?

Try this, loser:

http://www.fairfaxunderground.com/forum/read/2/2076956.html

It would appear that despite being made to live on campus or in school-approved housing, Stamford does a substandard job. Yes, Chris Carneal, we know it is you, and it is clear you can't read anything on your own, preferring to let Rick Warren and Joel Osteen do your thinking for you.

The post and the person responsible for this post is just dangerous to our children as is Boosterthon.

Actually,upon hire they do have a background check. Anyone who goes to a school as part of their occupation must undergo a background check to make sure there are no crimes against children or violence. They can be sued for not doing this, so every employee goes through a check before they are fully offered a position.

Also, they do not "use" students. They teach them about character and fitness, as well as boost their eagerness to get involved with helping their school.

The argument that they use instructional time is actually hilarious. They have two options, which the principal decides on: either they can have the grades come one at a time for 15 minutes of their resource time, or teachers decide on a 5 minute block for a team member to come in for a daily update.

It's comical that you all are complaining about things you don't understand. If you want to try and raise 20k or more with a yankee candle catalog or some other generic fundraiser, good luck ;)

I'd bet a large sum of money that we would've never heard of this "boosterthon problem" if boosterthon was run by socialist liberals, sorry, that's redundant.

Our reading fundraiser at www.read-a-thon.com raises that kind of money and the school keeps most of it while focusing on reading along either at school or home.

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