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Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Press Club ()
Date: June 25, 2015 10:57AM

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/

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: BOOSTERTHON FAIL ()
Date: June 25, 2015 02:37PM

It is a problem EVERYWHERE.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Really small children ()
Date: June 25, 2015 02:47PM

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...

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Peter the Pledge ()
Date: June 25, 2015 04:06PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: George Wallace ()
Date: June 25, 2015 07:41PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Notcool ()
Date: June 25, 2015 10:14PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: FCPS say Boosterthon is OK ()
Date: June 26, 2015 11:42AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boostertoon is the work of Satan ()
Date: June 28, 2015 01:40PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: FCPS Suggestions ()
Date: July 17, 2015 12:03PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: BanBoosterthon ()
Date: July 17, 2015 06:07PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: <<<<<<<<<<< ()
Date: July 17, 2015 06:23PM

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




I think it was the contract.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: July 21, 2015 12:15PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boosterscam, time to go! ()
Date: July 21, 2015 12:47PM

Here it is from the FCPS suggestions page:
Attachments:
cutboosterthon.jpg

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: HappyHappyMomof2 ()
Date: July 21, 2015 12:54PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: still needs investigating ()
Date: July 21, 2015 12:59PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Alpharetta Science ()
Date: July 21, 2015 01:14PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: FCPS Watcher ()
Date: September 17, 2015 02:35PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 17, 2015 03:11PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Bore Me More ()
Date: September 17, 2015 03:13PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Suggestions? ()
Date: September 17, 2015 03:58PM

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...

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: vww6x ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:16PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Dare Taken! ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:25PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: bF3Dw ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:41PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Suggestions? ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:49PM

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!

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:54PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Fundraising ()
Date: September 17, 2015 04:58PM


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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Suggestions? ()
Date: September 17, 2015 05:04PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 17, 2015 05:19PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: let's see some real numbers ()
Date: September 17, 2015 07:10PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: this is a disaster ()
Date: September 17, 2015 08:05PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Newbie ()
Date: September 17, 2015 08:08PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boosterthon-A-Tron ()
Date: September 17, 2015 08:40PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Minor Correction, Please ()
Date: September 17, 2015 08:49PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: The irony ()
Date: September 17, 2015 09:20PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Rough Seas Ahead ()
Date: September 18, 2015 07:59AM

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."

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: full speed ahead ()
Date: September 18, 2015 09:37AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Aye Aye Captain ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:17AM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: 30 knots ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:25AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:29AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Well...... ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:44AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: full speed ahead ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:46AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:52AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: 30 knots ()
Date: September 18, 2015 11:56AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: idotsall ()
Date: September 18, 2015 12:12PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 12:23PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: I'll give you an ulterior motive ()
Date: September 18, 2015 02:48PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: CYNNV ()
Date: September 18, 2015 03:30PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: I paid for it, I want it ()
Date: September 18, 2015 03:50PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Noboosterthon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 04:04PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: vox populi vox dei ()
Date: September 18, 2015 04:18PM

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:
bsugg.pdf

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 04:57PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: echochamber ()
Date: September 18, 2015 04:58PM

Regurgitated talking points.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 04:59PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: FCPS Boosterthon Contract ()
Date: September 18, 2015 05:23PM

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:
deliverables_from_boosterthon.pdf

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 07:46PM

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:
School_Services_Agreement.10.gif

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: contract question ()
Date: September 18, 2015 07:56PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: wow.... ()
Date: September 18, 2015 07:59PM

They got a deal.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 18, 2015 08:23PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Kickback Alert ()
Date: September 19, 2015 10:25AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Curmudgeon ()
Date: September 19, 2015 06:34PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Which School is This? ()
Date: September 19, 2015 08:39PM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Curmudgeon ()
Date: September 20, 2015 11:16AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 20, 2015 01:55PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Free Flow of Information ()
Date: September 20, 2015 02:58PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Curmudgeon ()
Date: September 20, 2015 04:52PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Actually...... ()
Date: September 20, 2015 06:26PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Dream On! ()
Date: September 20, 2015 07:57PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 21, 2015 11:01AM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Then the system is BROKEN ()
Date: September 21, 2015 11:14AM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: njbhgfd ()
Date: September 22, 2015 09:15AM

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?

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Inotherwords ()
Date: September 22, 2015 01:51PM

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).

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Give her a break ()
Date: September 22, 2015 02:15PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: NewHorizon ()
Date: September 22, 2015 02:27PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: A point of clarification ()
Date: September 22, 2015 02:32PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boosterthon got more support ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:00PM

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!

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Liars ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:03PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: OP = IDIOT ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:05PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Booster is better ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:08PM

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"

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Changing the subject ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:11PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Who's the idiot? ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:14PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: PTA Facing an Uphill Struggle? ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:20PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: I'm dizzy from all the spin ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:31PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: noticer ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:45PM

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

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Anti-religion ()
Date: September 27, 2015 12:48PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boosterthon Is A SCAM ()
Date: September 27, 2015 01:00PM

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)

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: on the sidelines ()
Date: September 27, 2015 01:09PM

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.

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Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Laughable ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:20PM

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?

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Lighten up ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:24PM

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

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: It's like politics ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:31PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: YOU lighten up ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:34PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Most love them! ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:50PM

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 :)

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Great point! ()
Date: September 27, 2015 02:53PM

> 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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Have some sense ()
Date: September 27, 2015 03:02PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Plenty of Sense ()
Date: September 27, 2015 03:11PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: TghFdsOi ()
Date: September 27, 2015 04:26PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: I could live with this ()
Date: September 27, 2015 07:44PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Kf;lKJldsfkjkjh ()
Date: September 27, 2015 07:47PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Boosterthon Background Checks ()
Date: September 27, 2015 08:58PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Starbux ()
Date: September 27, 2015 09:35PM

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.

Options: ReplyQuote
Re: Boosterthon is a Problem in Virginia
Posted by: Background checked ()
Date: September 27, 2015 09:45PM

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.

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