The Shawnee Dispatch / Mill Valley students to protest Prairie Ridge PTA fundraiser

Archive for Tuesday, February 19, 2008

February 19, 2008

A group of Mill Valley High School students plans to protest a Prairie Ridge Elementary School PTA fundraiser Saturday because alcohol will be served.

The PTA auction, which will be located at the Shawnee Civic Centre, is an annual fundraiser for the elementary school. Last year, it brought in about $14,000, said Prairie Ridge PTA co-president Dee Rolig. Because alcohol will be served this year, it will be an adults-only event, she said.

When she heard about the group’s plans to protest, Rolig said she was disappointed.

“All of this controversy is taking away from the true meaning of the auction,” she said.

When the auction’s committee proposed serving alcohol at the event, it was presented as a way to fit its Mardi Gras theme, Rolig said. The PTA board sought advice from De Soto School District administrators and the National PTA.

“They strongly discouraged us, but they couldn’t tell us not to do it,” Rolig said.

De Soto community relations director Alvie Cater said the school district did not have a position on the fundraiser because it would not be on school property.

“Any event that goes to benefit the school we would hope that our adults would set an example for our children,” he said.

The National PTA encouraged the board to take the issue to a general vote, and when they did the members approved the idea 22-5.

A group of students from Mill Valley voiced their concerns at the meeting and said that serving alcohol at a fundraiser for schools was sending the wrong message to students.

The students were members of JagPRIDE, a student-led organization that addresses substance abuse in the community. It’s name stands for “Pride in community, school, family and self.”

JagPRIDE and other Mill Valley students plan to protest the auction from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday. The auction is from 7 to 11 p.m.

According to a press release, the group hopes to persuade parents not to attend the auction and to raise the awareness of the type of message the PTA is sending to young persons.

JagPRIDE member Liz Stack said the students will have signs and they will distribute information about responsible decision making.

Liz said there is a time and a place for adults to consume alcohol.

“I just don’t think it should be affiliated with the school,” the 17-year-old senior said. “If they want to go out and have a good time, that is fine. I don’t think they should have it with the PTA at all.”

Liz has a younger brother who attends Prairie Ridge and her father, Steve Stack, agreed that alcohol shouldn’t be at a PTA event.

“It sends a wrong message to the kids,” he said.

Rolig said that was not the intention and that the PTA thought it would be nice to have an adult-only event..

“We do a lot of things like bingo and sock hop and a lot of things for the kids,” she said. “We thought this would be a way to bring the parent community together.”

With two teenagers of her own, Rolig said she supports the efforts of the JagPRIDE students when it comes to underage drinking.

“I just don’t see how it is applicable to what we’re doing,” she said.

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20 February 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

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bv1023 (Anonymous) says…

I just received the Prairie Ridge Newsletter indicating that Pizza Shoppe night is tonight where 20% of total proceeds go back to the PTA. Moe's night is March 6. They serve alcohol at both of those establishments. What is the difference between serving alcohol at the PTA auction and serving alcohol at the PTA sponsored Pizza Shoppe or Moe's night where a portion of the proceeds goes back to the school. Why is one OK and the other is not? Aren't they both PTA sponsored events?

20 February 2008 at 12:05 p.m.

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precares (Anonymous) says…

I sincerely appreciate the efforts of JagPride and the impact they are having on our community. That being said, I struggle to understand the issue. As I understand it, the Prairie Ridge PTA has consulted with the proper entities and no one took a stand against the event? The only stance that was taken was for the PTA to host the event. It is an event for adults only. Individuals were asked to purchase a ticket that was for entry to the event, not for the alcohol. This is a Cash Bar, it is optional. There is an assumption being made that every individual there will be drinking..wrong. Thanks JagPride for your efforts to curb underage drinking and substance abuse in our Community and good luck Prairie Ridge with your event.

20 February 2008 at 1:23 p.m.

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preparents (Anonymous) says…

We also applaud the efforts of JagPride and what they are doing to prevent under-age drinking. However, we do not see how this pertains to the school auction. The auction is an adults only event. Unfortunately, all of this controversy is taking away from the true purpose of this auction, to provide for the students and staff at Prairie Ridge. The time and effort that goes into putting on an event like this is unbelievable. We want to thank all the individuals that have put their heart and soul into this auction and everything you have done to make this a success. We are pulling for you!

20 February 2008 at 5:26 p.m.

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armyguy (Anonymous) says…

I'd like to a make a few comments:

1. On the distinction between a night at the Pizza Shoppe or Moe's and the PTA Auction. Pizza Shoppe and Moe's are both corporate establishments with businesses that involve the purchase and sale of food and beverages (including beer) on a daily basis. That is, both of these establishments make their name and reputation on the sale of these goods. We cannot expect Pizza Shoppe or Moe's to shed the corporate veil in order to take on the school's appearance. We can, however, thank them for their support and willingness to donate proceeds to the school. On the other hand, the PTA is not a corporate body and does not make it's name or reputation from the sale of alcohol (or pizza, for that matter). Rather, it's a locally organized body that exists because Prairie Ridge exists. As an arm of the school, the PTA should espouse the values and morals that it's parent organization holds firm. At mention of the PTA, one naturally thinks of the school that it's associated with. Alternatively, I, for one, do not think about Prairie Ridge at the mention of Pizza Shoppe or Moe's. Therefore, when Pizza Shoppe and Moe's sell alcohol there's no direct tie back to the school that would blemish it's image. On the other hand, when the PTA sells alcohol, the tie back to the school is natural and readily evident. Accordingly, allowing alcohol to be served at a PTA sponsored event is akin to Prairied Ridge actively endorsing alcohol, which most certainly tarnishes the school's reputation and image.

20 February 2008 at 5:26 p.m.

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armyguy (Anonymous) says…

2. As to the true purpose of the auction: At all times, the PTA should exist under the umbrella of Prairie Ridge Elementary and its values and morals. If the PTA is considering doing something that is inconsistent with the values of the school itself, the organization should abandon the idea. As a member of the PTA, you are a representation of everything the school stands for. When you act in ways that conflict with the schools mission, then you adversely the impact the school's ability to carry out that mission (through negative press, etc.). That is to say, the PTA's purpose is primarily to favorably promote and support Prairie Ridge. By conducting events that mirror Prairie Ridge's espoused values, the PTA is able to reinforce and compliment the messages being taught to the students at the school. Serving alcohol at a PTA sponsored event in no way mimics the values of Prairie Ridge. As such, the event does much to detract from the values the school is trying to teach. To the extent socially drinking alcohol is okay, it should nonetheless be abandoned at PTA sponsored events because of the appearance of impropriety that it creates. I readily admit that responsible adults can responsibly drink alcohol. However, because Prairie Ridge and the PTA must be mentioned in the same breath, they must be consistent in their application of values. Both must stand firm in their stance against alcohol and leave alcohol to less formal, non-school sponsored events.

20 February 2008 at 9:56 p.m.

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MVHS08 (Anonymous) says…

Thank you ArmyGuy. and as a member of JagPRIDE, we sent our representatives the night of the vote. We did not come out of no where. People recieved one day notice of the vote, resulting in less of the opposing side to show up. Not only did the school board discourage them, but the National PTA did also, however they can not legally tell them not to do this. This is a PTA sponsored event, and should remain family friendly. Alcohol should not be tied to any school event, it's sad to see adults not supporting the advances of students taking a stand against alcohol behing available at a school event. If you want to go out and have a good time, have it on your own time, and not at a school event.

20 February 2008 at 11:09 p.m.

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MVHSparent (Anonymous) says…

Why would the Prarie Ridge PTA go against the State PTA, the school district,and the principal of the very school they are trying to support, when they all were against alcohol being served at this event? If you want an “adult only” night out, go have one apart from the school PTA. How hypocritical to have the prarie ridge students bringing in items for their classroom baskets to be donated to the auction, when they can't even attend the auction. Do not support the auction! Send a message to this PTA. Do support the other family friendly fundraisers at Prarie Ridge. It is a great school and worthy of your support, it is unfortunate that a few parents are ruining the image of a great school and a great school district. Thank goodness for the fortitude of the Mill Valley students willing to stand up and voice their opinion and stand up for what is right!

20 February 2008 at 11:28 p.m.

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shockednshawnee (Anonymous) says…

Wow, I honestly can't believe that this is causing so much uproar. I struggle with understanding JAGprides position and involvement with Praire Ridge wanting an evening for adults. The PTA works endless hours for our children and let's face it the adults of these children are the one's volunteering and giving. We've taken the stance to not have our children go door to door selling items, but apparently we as adults can't have an evening of our own when being asked to donate more money for our school. This auction is to raise money for our school to provide extra activities for our children. Having a cash bar is the last relevant part of the picture. If you feel so strongly then don't go, but why would one protest the end result? Most of the children at Prairie Ridge don't even know what a cash bar is nor would even be told. The only reason one would know is due to all this “great” publicity. Take your efforts and put them towards issues that are important to your club, like underage drinking. Focus on the parents providing the alcohol to the minors, not the one's that hired babysitters so they could have a social evening and raise money for all the children at Prairie Ridge. All children benefit from this auction which is a very small percentage of parents that give….I would hate to see that end due to a group that unfortunately can't see the whole picture or end result.

21 February 2008 at 9:14 a.m.

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MVHSparent (Anonymous) says…

Wow I can't honestly believe that The Prarie Ridge PTA are the ones who don't get it. The JagPride students don't want this to set a precedent in the District, serving alcohol at school functions. They are more concerned with the image this is presenting to the community and other students in the district. If you haven't noticed, no other school in the district has ever served alcohol at a PTA function. As I said before, The Desoto District, the State PTA, and the prinicipal at Prarie Ridge are all against it as well, so why are you singling out the highschool students who agree with them? If you all need a night to go party away from your kids by all means go and do it, but not under the umbrella of the PTA. I can't believe you can't respect JagPride's right to voice their opinion without attacking them and their motives and trying to skirt the real issue. The auction made plenty of money in the past without serving alcohol. The Prarie Ridge PTA is just wrong.

22 February 2008 at 5:35 p.m.

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shawneedad (Anonymous) says…

I support JagPride's position on underage drinking and substance abuse and what they do to combat these problems. I fail however to understand how this PTA event fits into their agenda.

The PTA is not promoting alcohol use or promoting the event with alcohol. The PTA is certainly not promoting underage drinking or substance abuse!! And, as far as I know, none of the proceeds from the cash bar will benefit the PTA. The PTA is merely making another beverage available for those adults who are lawfully allowed to consume it.

Instead of expending negative energy, maybe JagPride and its supporters should focus on helping the students that the event intends to benefit. Work with local law enforcement to promote designated drivers, cab rides, etc. Though, I doubt these parents that participate in PTA and their childrens' lives need to be reminded about how important they and their fellow parents are.

23 February 2008 at 5:28 p.m.

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Jagsupport (Anonymous) says…

ArmyGuy makes some great points.

There is a quote in the print edition of the Dispatch which sums up the attitude of the PTA leadership. Dee Rolig stated “The PTA board sought advice from DeSoto School District administrators and the National PTA. They strongly discouraged us, but they couldn't tell us not to do it.”

This sounds like a comment from a beligerent teenager.

They don't care! They don't care about the image, or the values the school they support, values.

I wonder if the PTA has considered the net benefit of serving the alcohol at the event? With the cost of renting the civic center, the additional cost of insurance, security guards etc. Will there be any additional profits generated from alcohol? Last year the PTA raised over $14,000 without alcohol. That is to be commended. Clear Creek elementary is having an upcomming fundraiser at the school. I'll bet they will do ok without relying on alcohol.

I applaud these kids for taking a stand for their convictions. Something rare these days, even for adults.

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— Densel Ballo

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