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BY DEBORAH ROSS

I am frustrated by the constant, relentless and ridiculous number of school fundraisers I'm hit with throughout the school year. Other parents are, too.

Granted, I could just throw the fundraiser packages in the garbage and not think of it again. (I do not even want to fathom the amount of paper, printing and time it takes to put together these packets, or the cost. That's a topic for another time.)

My children are spending time in a gymnasium talking about these fundraisers and what "great" gifts they'll be rewarded with if they sell the most! Then I am hit up with a pouting face because I refuse to make it possible for my daughter to win. I am outraged! Stop putting time and energy into exciting our children about selling. Not to mention that these incentives are not so great -- they are cheap, unneeded and ridiculous rewards. And, we all know it is not the child who does the fundraising, it is the parents. We have enough homework!

I despise the idea of our principals, PTA members, teachers and parent volunteers spending so much time and energy on fundraisers. Their time and energy would be better spent working one-on-one with the students who need it, helping in classrooms that have too many students, or planning activities that strengthen self-confidence and build trust among students, teachers, parents and the community.

I am quite aware that our schools do not have the funding to do what they need to do. I will not even address where the money goes when fundraising is used.

No wonder teachers get frustrated, irritated and short-tempered. They don't have the resources they need. Did you know that teachers have to spend money out of their own pockets (which are not full enough as it is) for the visual aids, paper supplies, etc., they need to help children learn? But do you really need a roll of expensive wrapping paper or a tin of chocolates to show that you have supported your school?

If people want something for the money they contribute to the school, they should consider what they're really getting: well-educated future leaders.

We have some amazing teachers who are trying too hard to make do, to fill our children's brains with what they need to progress despite the politics and budget cuts that have found their way into the public school system, and to cut through all the junk that shouldn't be there. Their classrooms are too full. Their every move is watched and their desires to edify, teach and support our children are threatened.

In a perfect world, our children and our teachers would have everything they need to teach in a hands-on learning environment. But we do not live in that perfect world. Far from it. Especially when government is pulling funds from schools, of all places!

I don't want to grumble without offering a solution. So, let me suggest that each family make a one-time specific contribution each year to its children's schools. Yes, that would be two contributions for two children. The amount could be $25, $30 or $50.

I don't say this lightly: I have four children in four different schools. Coming up with $200 at the beginning of the school year would be hard, but I would do it. And who wouldn't rather the entire contribution go to the school rather than for printing fundraiser packets?

We have serious problems in our school system. Let us make an effort to fix at least some of them. Please stop these fundraisers. They are not worth the time, the energy, the printing, or the preposterous rewards. Join me in fighting back against this waste.

Deborah Ross lives in Stokesdale.