The Observation Deck

Today in our mail I received my middle school daughters school fee notice. For a middle school child the school feels are $41.00, $6.00 of that is for an atlas. My elementary school children's fees are $20.00 a child.

I'm not understanding how from 5th grade to 6th grade the fees have increased that much.

It is $15.00 higher plus the $6.00 for the atlas.

Do the students really do that much more that there is that big of a difference? Her supply list was a lot longer also. So not only do we have to by more then usual in supplies, the fees are higher.

Is there a detailed list of how exactly they come up with that amount?

Just a curious mom.

I never understood the extra fees like these, although I have been told some schools in the 1940s used to make all students pay for their own books and find their own way to school, no matter how far away they lived or what they had to do to get there.

According to Lakewood Insect (see link), Lakewood Schools spent about $10000 per pupil, as of a couple years ago. With the new construction, etc., I could be wrong but assume it has jumped.

http://lakewoodbuzz.infopop.cc/eve/foru ... 7861098972

How much does it cost to invoice on $20 or $41?

What is the deal with the ever-growing supply lists (for any school)? Pretty soon parents are going to have to rent a uhaul to drop off the supplies the first day of school, if they do not own a large sedan, station wagon, or pickup truck.

Does Lakewood have "pay to play?" i.e. if your kid plays soccer, you have to pay an extra $100 (or whatever).

Just trying to stick with the facts - not making an opinion.

Doug

Doug,
I don't know about athletics since I only have elementary school children but I know that for the 5th grade instrumental music program there is a "pay to participate" fee of $30.00. With that fee I am up to $130.00 for fees this year, in addition to the $150.00 or so on supplies and the additional cost for field trips and so on. I assume that sports fall under the "pay to play" category also. I don't mind paying, I just like many parents wonder what these fees are for. On the fee schedule form it says "includes art and science fees and other classroom materials used in the course of instruction". I just think its important that people understand in addition to your tax dollars you will have to pay fees for your kids to be in school. BTW the fees are not optional, but low income families can apply for a waiver.

..

athletics have a pay to play- yes.

At the high school, yearly fees are $50 the last I checked. I payed 53 last year if I remember...

depending on the classes you take that year, they also have fees attached to them for materials.

For example, photography has film and paper and chemicals that need to be covered.

There's also organizations like the Business Professionals of America (BPA for short) and others like it that some classes require you to join. It's for competitions around the country in Microsoft Word to Powerpoint to graphic design, photography, web design, accounting, etc. Most West Shore Career Tech. classes have those membership fees added to them.

Free education, anyone?

Does Lakewood have "pay to play?" i.e. if your kid plays soccer, you have to pay an extra $100 (or whatever

Actually, soccer is $75.00....Other expenses also come into "play"....turf shoes, grass shoes, "spirit packs", etc. Parents can earn credits against the pay to play by volunteering hours at the concession stand.

Jeff