Extra Recess for Pizza

Lindsey has a 3rd grade play called "Mighty Minds" on Thursday night right before or after the PTO meeting - I can't really remember how that works as I don't attend PTO meetings. Anyway, they asked all 3rd graders to bring in a 12 pack of drinks so that they can sell pizza and drinks before the play, and if the drinks were donated they would make more money. That was fine, and I understand the school is trying to raise money and I don't know exactly what this money is going for, but I really don't care. I was happy to oblige. Now to truly understand this post, you need to realize this school is brand new and all they do is fundraise. We are asked for money on a daily basis -- they even have to pay to participate in crazy hat day, silly socks, etc. This Friday, they are allowed to bring in games, board games or electronic if they pay $1/each -- it is never ending. On Monday, Lindsey came home with a slip that they were also supposed to buy a pizza for their family at $10/each. Okay, that was fine, too, and I really hadn't thought much about it, if we were going to buy a pizza or not. I hadn't gotten that far and it got put in my pile of papers to look at later. Lindsey got really upset and said her teacher told them that if they bought a pizza and brought their money in by Wednesday (today), they would get 20 minutes of extra recess - but only if they bought a pizza. The reason the teacher cared is because whichever class had the most pizzas purchased would earn a pizza party, and the teacher wanted her class to win. So now I decided it was a matter of principle, and I was not going to buy a pizza because I could not believe they were putting that pressure on children -- especially in today's world ... my goodness, what if we had just lost a job or were supporting other family who was in dire need -- a pizza would be the last thing on our minds! Yet at the same time, I didn't want to get pulled into a therapy session in 20 years and find out all of her life problems stemmed from getting singled out and not allowed to participate in an extra session of recess ... so, I asked her if she would feel badly if she didn't get the recess and she said she didn't care as long as she was not the only one, (understandable) -- so then she said she would use her birthday money that she had been saving to buy it. I was really, really mad ... they can't penalize a child because they don't buy a pizza at PUBLIC SCHOOL! So I asked her if she was sure that is what the teacher said and yes, she was sure. I called my friend Michelle whose son is in Lindsey's class and asked her if that was right, and she did not know but asked her son and he verified what Lindsey had told me. So now, I felt REALLY fired up because I'll be darned if Lindsey was going to sit in a classroom doing work while the rest of her class was at extra recess over a fundraiser pizza. I could not send in a note to the teacher because Lindsey hides notes and never gives them to the appropriate person, so I called the school yesterday afternoon, but her teacher had already gone home. It was the principal who I spoke with. I was very nice, but explained that I was concerned and didn't understand how she could be penalized for not participating in a fund raiser. Her teacher called first thing this morning and denied the entire thing. She said the principal had told her there was a parent complaint and that she could not understand this because she never said such a thing, and that maybe another 3rd grade teacher told them that, but she knew nothing of the sorts and that she absolutely did not say that. I said, oh good, I am so glad because I could not understand how something like this would be allowed. She said, I would NEVER do that to my students. I am trying to give her the benefit of the doubt, but Lindsey absolutely does not lie -- she never has. In addition, she is known for relaying information extremely well and does not get confused often. Well, I guess regardless, Lindsey won't be sitting by herself!