Grr. I'm being the Grinch. - Page 2

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by Ellien C 

Originally Posted by LauraLoo 

The funny thing was that this letter back from Santa said he could handle the first two requests (which will kind of be a bummer for her since we aren't getting her a pair of shoes - she doesn't need any additional shoes), but that he might not be able to handle the iPod, and hoped that she would understand.   

That's outrageous! I'm totally dumbfounded at that one. How dare they! I'm searching for some explanation like you are on a secret "charity" list and they are trying to let you know that they will handle those requests.... but I'm thinking that's just not the case!
 

   We are not on a charity list.  My daughter has plenty of shoes - more than she needs, but apparently not more than she wants.  I was actually surprised to read that she asked for more shoes.  In our family, Santa brings one, and only one, gift.  The rest of the gifts come from dh and me and the rest of our extended family.  The list she generated at school doesn't change that fact that she'll only get one gift from Santa, but she's young so I'm wondering if she thinks she'll get more because she's communicated directly with Santa.  If shoes had been what she had communicated to me instead of the doll, then shoes she would have gotten from Santa -- but it's too late now.  I've got to find out who generated that response.
 

[Storm Bride]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo 

Along the same lines - We just got a letter from "Santa" sent home from school with a copy of my daughter's letter to sent to Santa.  In her letter she asked for a doll, a pair of shoes, and an iPod.   Santa will not be bringing her an iPod or shoes.  The funny thing was that this letter back from Santa said he could handle the first two requests (which will kind of be a bummer for her since we aren't getting her a pair of shoes - she doesn't need any additional shoes),

IMO, this is completely and totally outrageous. That's just about equivalent to someone you don't even know making promises in your name. Whoever wrote this response knows it's the parents who will be getting the Santa gifts, after all. That's just...okay - I've been pretty laidback about ds1's experiences in public school, but that would have had me raising the roof.

[Momily]

As a public school teacher and a public school parent I'm utterly amazed by these stories.  There's no way that any of these things would go on at either the school where I teach, or any of the schools where I've sent my child. 

I guess that some kids could decide on their own to go to the writing center and write letters to Santa, but I can't begin to imagine a teacher writing back, or providing catalogs from which to choose gifts.

[kittykat2481]

I'm pretty laid back about this sort of stuff, and I enjoy playing into the whole Santa story with DS, but even I would be irritated and confused if he received a letter "from Santa" from school telling him what he was going to get. First of all, what happened to the surprise? Growing up, we could make a list a mile long, but we always knew it was simply to give Santa ideas. He obviously couldn't get us everything we wanted, but if we added several items of varying prices, sizes, etc surely there would be something that fit the bill.

But honestly, I just cannot imagine someone promising a Santa gift they themselves were not prepared to buy. My DS will be getting far too many gifts this year, from Santa and from myself and DH, but he didn't get shoes. If Santa promised him shoes, the other 7 million gifts under the tree wouldn't matter because the shoes wouldn't be there. He'd feel let down and disappointed.

This year DS (3yo) asked for a hot air balloon. We discussed that since we didn't really have room for a hot air balloon in our house, Santa might not be able to handle that request. Now, enjoying the Santa fantasy myself, I did find the movie Up! for him, and my mom got him a toy hot air balloon, the point is that just because it makes it on the list (big or small) doesn't mean he'll get it. The adults in the school should know that. I'm not one to go to the teacher with every little thing, but this is something I would ask about. I would make sure she knows, I wasn't planning on getting xyz gift and that now DS was going to be disappointed.

You'll have to let us know how the school justifies this. It doesn't even make sense.

[amma_mama]

Originally Posted by LauraLoo 

Along the same lines - We just got a letter from "Santa" sent home from school with a copy of my daughter's letter to sent to Santa.  In her letter she asked for a doll, a pair of shoes, and an iPod.   Santa will not be bringing her an iPod or shoes.  The funny thing was that this letter back from Santa said he could handle the first two requests (which will kind of be a bummer for her since we aren't getting her a pair of shoes - she doesn't need any additional shoes), but that he might not be able to handle the iPod, and hoped that she would understand.  Now, if we were planning on getting her an iPod, I think that she'd be really upset to hear that Santa couldn't do it, since we normally discuss what "Santa" is up for.  This year it was a doll that Santa is planning on bringing her.  This whole thing has me scratching my head since I'm sure that there are plenty of other kids in her class that will be disappointed to not get anything on their lists and I'm certain that there are a few in her class, at least, that don't celebrate Christmas at all.  

I would be deeply annoyed at the idea of kids doing Santa wish lists as part of a public school activity. I would be absolutely livid about them coming home with a letter back from Santa promising gifts. I would not be able to even communicate with the school at that point, though, as I would end saying some pretty nasty things.
 

[LauraLoo]

Originally Posted by amma_mama 

Originally Posted by LauraLoo 

Along the same lines - We just got a letter from "Santa" sent home from school with a copy of my daughter's letter to sent to Santa.  In her letter she asked for a doll, a pair of shoes, and an iPod.   Santa will not be bringing her an iPod or shoes.  The funny thing was that this letter back from Santa said he could handle the first two requests (which will kind of be a bummer for her since we aren't getting her a pair of shoes - she doesn't need any additional shoes), but that he might not be able to handle the iPod, and hoped that she would understand.  Now, if we were planning on getting her an iPod, I think that she'd be really upset to hear that Santa couldn't do it, since we normally discuss what "Santa" is up for.  This year it was a doll that Santa is planning on bringing her.  This whole thing has me scratching my head since I'm sure that there are plenty of other kids in her class that will be disappointed to not get anything on their lists and I'm certain that there are a few in her class, at least, that don't celebrate Christmas at all.  

I would be deeply annoyed at the idea of kids doing Santa wish lists as part of a public school activity. I would be absolutely livid about them coming home with a letter back from Santa promising gifts. I would not be able to even communicate with the school at that point, though, as I would end saying some pretty nasty things.
 

Believe me, I am annoyed by this.  Unfortunately, I have bigger fish to fry with the school right now, if you can believe it.  I'm hoping that another parent in dd's class will step up and prevent this activity from happening next year since it's too late to do any damage control this year.  I will be seeing dd's teacher on Fri. during dd's holiday party, and if the opportunity presents itself, I'll give the teacher my thoughts.  If not, I'll communicate by email during the break.  

[journeymom]

Believe me, I am annoyed by this.  Unfortunately, I have bigger fish to fry with the school right now, if you can believe it.  I'm hoping that another parent in dd's class will step up and prevent this activity from happening next year since it's too late to do any damage control this year.  I will be seeing dd's teacher on Fri. during dd's holiday party, and if the opportunity presents itself, I'll give the teacher my thoughts.  If not, I'll communicate by email during the break.  

Good!  I'm glad you're going to mention it and register your objection.  Because this is the weirdest thing I've heard in a while.  There must be many other projects a teacher could do with kids on a snowy day, other than having them sort through toy ads to send home wish lists.   Seriously, it's bizarre and inappropriate.

[mattemma04]

I would be annoyed by this activity. I have actually told my kids to look through sales,and circle items that interest them.However they know that mom and dad will buy what they can afford for the holidays. I am so tired of the santa drama in my ds's class. I just hope that it won't be an issue next year when he moves up to the 9-12 yo class(Montessori Upper El.).