The dads here are probably aware that most schools shake you down for cash to supply the kids with stuff that the district doesn't. Our school system is no different but the sheer amount of cash they need to raise is absurd because LA Unified doesn't supply the school with an art teacher, any teacher's aids, PE, Library, Garden, continued education of the teachers, etc.
So basically at the beginning of the year they put up a banner on the school and and break it down to a per kid cost of around $1300. Donate $1300 or more and you get a neat magnet to stick on your car to let the world know that you're not some deadbeat leech that donated $1299.
And so they throw the parents a party for donating and anyone that's been to these parties knows they're kind of hokey. PTA moms generally aren't party coordinators but you get together with other parents, hang out and generally have a good time. Unless your school is in the middle of the Hollywood Hills in which case...
They take over the tennis club. Because it's LA. Of course they take over the tennis club. And so there's about 300 of us there and there's a stage set up for a band. And I was told from other parents that it's usually pretty interesting because our neighborhood is full of celebrities. So interesting people typically find their way to the neighborhood school party.
Our host was David Kushner (Velvet Revolver) which apparently everyone but me knew was going to be there, because he had two kids go to the school. He knocked out a few songs and then brought up Juliette Lewis and initially I'm like WTF is this. Why is Juliette Lewis about to sing? And then she nailed 3 or 4 classics. And she didn't just nail them; she knocked them out of the park. Maybe on her second song I realize Dave Navarro is standing next to her and at this point my brain is melting and I'm wondering if this is real life.
TL; DR - If we ever move back to Chicago I'm totally ruined for PTA parties.
So basically at the beginning of the year they put up a banner on the school and and break it down to a per kid cost of around $1300. Donate $1300 or more and you get a neat magnet to stick on your car to let the world know that you're not some deadbeat leech that donated $1299.
And so they throw the parents a party for donating and anyone that's been to these parties knows they're kind of hokey. PTA moms generally aren't party coordinators but you get together with other parents, hang out and generally have a good time. Unless your school is in the middle of the Hollywood Hills in which case...
They take over the tennis club. Because it's LA. Of course they take over the tennis club. And so there's about 300 of us there and there's a stage set up for a band. And I was told from other parents that it's usually pretty interesting because our neighborhood is full of celebrities. So interesting people typically find their way to the neighborhood school party.
Our host was David Kushner (Velvet Revolver) which apparently everyone but me knew was going to be there, because he had two kids go to the school. He knocked out a few songs and then brought up Juliette Lewis and initially I'm like WTF is this. Why is Juliette Lewis about to sing? And then she nailed 3 or 4 classics. And she didn't just nail them; she knocked them out of the park. Maybe on her second song I realize Dave Navarro is standing next to her and at this point my brain is melting and I'm wondering if this is real life.TL; DR - If we ever move back to Chicago I'm totally ruined for PTA parties.
), it's just the constant "pestering" for more.
