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Lynnsview's Blog

by Lynnsview from Cortland

Last Post 140 days, 15 hours Ago


I can't see where any school can legally get away with forcing parents to volunteer.  I am a licensed teacher in the State of Ohio and we have to pay such astronomical fees, just to have the right to work with the students ourselves.  Due to recent legislative moves, we must have a Bureau of Criminal Investigation check annually (about $65), then there are Pupil Activity Certifications...to coach or sponsor any club or activity ($50-$100) every three years.  First Aid to maintain your Pupil Activity ($25 annually) and then there are the teaching licenses themselves...at least $200 every 5 years and we must complete a specific level of continued education to even be eligible to renew that license...Who is going to tell little Susie's mom that not only is she required to volunteer, but she must shell out $85-$150 (BCI, First Aid and Pupil Activity) to do it?  That's not volunteering, that is the state reaching into your pocket through the school!
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Lynnsview read my blog
Apr 10, 2008 | 10:13 AM

Paying a $100 fine is actually cheeper than trying to comply with this insane prospect...I'm not entirely certain that this campaign is proposed to truly gain more volunteers, but to actually allow the state to perform universal background checks on the people and charge them for it...You must submit to a Bureau of Criminal Investigations check to be eligible to volunteer, and in many schools you must also apply for a Pupil Activities Certification. If you are required to do both it could very easily cost you more than $100 to comply.

SINGLEBUTMARRIED read my blog
Apr 10, 2008 | 3:33 PM

What about single parents like myself? I work monday through friday 9-5, and i made my schedule this way so my daughter can be in school while i'm working so i only have to pay for child care for a couple of hours! how in the heck am i supposed to find time to voulenteer? what take off work and not be able to pay my bills? this is by far one of the most ridiculous things i've ever heard of!

Lynnsview read my blog
Apr 10, 2008 | 4:17 PM

Yeah, I'm not sure I would be able to budget the time in either, I am not currently working, but my spouse is generally away at work for easily 15-hours per day and I have 2 school aged children (one of them special needs) and a 3 1/2 year old at home. I guess if you factor in what it would cost to get 2 days worth of day care to cover myself so I could spend the day "volunteering" it would escalate the price it would cost even more. Again, I think it is a rediculous ploy to let the state stick their hand into your pocketbook.

gamer173 read my blog view my photos
Apr 12, 2008 | 8:52 AM

Whats the big deal in taking a vacation day to help with your childs education. My 13 yr old daughter goes to the elementary school 5 days a week after she gets off of school to help. If she can give up 5hrs a week of her time at 13 I would think an adult could do the same.

Lynnsview read my blog
Apr 12, 2008 | 9:29 AM

Gamer- I think volunteerism is fabulous and I commend your daughter for her involvement. The schools can really benefit from using student volunteers because they do not need to seek additional clearance on a registered student. Any adult who is going to be working with students however, must have at least a Bureau of Criminal Investigations check to do so. Also, not all of us have paid vacation days available to us to maintain our wages in order to do this...especially if you are already a teacher- Perhaps they will accept some of the countless days that I already spend substitute teaching, coaching, class sponsoring as my commitment, but my personal credentials are really an exception to the average citizen. Volunteer because you choose to, but don't let somebody else tell you you have to, because you may not realize what it can actually cost you in the end.

gamer173 read my blog view my photos
Apr 12, 2008 | 3:07 PM

You substitute without being paid? To many parents today take no intrest in their children and want everyone else to do it. The bill states you can work after school activities which gets around the I have to work excuse. You can work a couple of football or basketball games and get your hours in. Parents are to worried about themselves and not our future(which are our children)

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Lynnsview

I am a substitute teacher, High school coach, Class Sponsor, have a daughter on the autism spectrum, and am considering becoming a home-school instructor.

Member Since: 4/10/2008