A couple of years ago, we were so fed up with subsidizing the educational system that we decided to afix little sticky labels to our materials and resources that say, "teacher funded material" to let the parents know what we were doing. Most parents aren't even aware how much we spend out of pocket. They assume that public education is publicly funded.

The govt. knows that teachers, being teachers, will buy materials rather than see their students suffer - in fact they count on it. The only way to make parents aware and force the politicians to fund schools adequately is to STOP SUBSIDIZING THE SYSTEM.

If a child can't go on a field trip, tell the principal (they have contigency funds for this purpose). As far as books, materials and other resources needed to support the curriculum; our parent group has finally said, NO! It is the govt. who devises the curriculum and they are responsible for providing adequate resources. The parent group provides money for extra-curricular or enhancement only. Spend your time educating parents and let them fight for the education of the children. Teachers can bargain through the union but teachers cannot do it alone. We just end up getting bashed!

The govt. is so stupid, they cut back on the library funds to provide a little book for 3 year olds (lots of fanfare). In the meantime, our school library is only open 50% of the time. Additional services for students needing learning assistance is practically non-existent.

Michelle - If you are not part of the solution, you're part of the problem. Try to think a little more long range. You're not doing anything but putting out the fire. Another fire will crop up at another time in another year. You can't do it alone and believe me, nobody will thank you for it.