Blair HS Lessons on Deficit Spending

Below is the text from the Blair PTSA of their Senior Class Graduation Package.

Note - this package includes a MANDATORY fee of $35 for commencement speakers, flowers, senior bags, and floral arrangements.

Mandatory fees?  Isn't that against the Maryland Constitution?

Read further and you will see that approximately 100 of Blair's 625 graduating class need full or partial assistance or otherwise cannot pay the fees.  The rest of the community is asked to to contribute to "support these students."

Does this mean that only students who are sponsored attend the ceremonies?  That's not legal either.

Note to Blair Administration:  Instead of seeking handouts, how about skipping the flowers and the graduation bags.  The buses too - why have everyone drive to Silver Spring when the families will be going down to DC anyway?  Plan a ceremony within the means of the student body.

I guess another item missing from the MCPS curriculum is economics.   Logic too - its common sense to only spend what you know you can afford.

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Senior Package Information
Montgomery Blair High School
Class of 2010




PLEASE SELECT FROM THE ITEMS BELOW. TURN IN THIS SHEET, ALONG WITH YOUR TOTAL PAYMENT TO Ms. Fus in the attendance office during 5A and 5B. All money orders and checks should be made out to Montgomery Blair High School. Please print your name and ID number on all checks and money orders. No checks will be accepted after 4/29.


Your Name ______________________________ ID Number ____________




CAP & GOWN + TASSEL - $35.00
TASSEL ONLY (required for graduation) - $10.00
SILVER QUILL - $6.00
PANORAMIC CLASS PICTURE $25.00
SENIOR DUES (MANDATORY) - $35.00

Dues cover the expenses of:
The venue balance of DAR, Honorarium for Commencement Speaker, Programs, Senior
bags, and Floral arrangements

I WOULD LIKE TO SPONSOR A STUDENT:


CAP & GOWN +TASSEL - $35.00
SENIOR DUES $35.00
CAP & GOWN +TASSEL and SENIOR DUES - $70.00


TOTAL



*Please note that Blair's senior class has approximately 60 ESOL students and around 40 non-ESOL students who will need full or partial financial assistance to pay for graduation. If you or you know a community member who is willing to sponsor a student with dues or fees, please let Ms. Smith know. It is absolutely paramount to support these students and their families in reaching this important milestone.


If you have any questions please see Ms. Claudette Smith, senior class sponsor, in room 120.