'Nuf Said :: School Portraits

May 26 2018,

My School Portrait in 4th Grade

The other night, we were over for dinner at a friend's house and they mentioned that they received their son's class pictures.

The father was a little bit annoyed and said that his son was sent home with a package of pictures, all different sizes, without the normal "PROOF" watermark that usually appeared across the picture.

Here is what the note said that was included in the package.

Instead of doing the traditional way of letting parents look at the pictures and then sending in a check with what they want to order, they thrust the packet and make the parents feel guilty for not "participating" in supporting the school. Yes, even though it does say that you can return them, and returning the portraits counted as "full participation" a lot of things can happen. The school portraits can get lost between the home and the school or it can be left on the pile of papers and forgotten or it can fall in between the cracks of everyday life.

Do you agree with this method or not?

After much discussion - the father decides to send an email to the principal. Surprisingly that afternoon, the principal gave the father a call and apologized and realized that it was not the best method to sell the school portraits.

Interestingly, this particular school has school portraits twice a year. Once at the beginning of the school year and a second one almost at the end of the school year. That's really pushing it - I don't know if it is the school pushing for that or the company.

This is what I would do.

I would go to the principal's office with a brand new bike, the packet of pictures and a letter. A cost of a bike for a six year old ranges from $54.00 - $134.00. I would get one in the $100.00 price range. I would give it to the principal and walk away. In the note, I would tell the principal that I did not agree with the way the school was handling the school portraits. I would end it with something to the effect of, "And here's the raffle bicycle just in case the school does not get 'FULL PARTICIPATION' from all the parents."

Whether I follow through or not... that's another story. Umph.

Quilt & Bitch