Nuisance of plastic graduation yard signs for Elementary/Middle school kids

I'm sure everyone had noticed something that looked like a new 'tradition' at the end of the last school year. PTA of many schools had automatically ordered plastic yard signs that read 'There is a child graduating from this home' to be delivered fee to homes with elementary/middle school kids. They just appeared in your yard! It clearly is a business trying to make a buck with a product has NO value to the families. I agree the value in having customized yard signs for high school graduates' names. They have emotional value and are keepsakes. Parents order them. But the 'generic' elementary/middle school ones go straight to trash and add to our already horrible plastic waste (USA only recycles 20% of its plastic, the rest gets into our air, drinking water and waterways). Please contact your school's PTA to stop this nonsense! If they have extra cash and want to give business to their buddies, may be just give them money and don't bother with the plastic waste. Or better yet, give that money to the graduating kids in cash!

 

(Apologies for the typos/grammatical errors. I wish there was a way to edit or remove-repost!)

 

You’re making a rather broad pronouncement and inappropriately speaking for the entire parent-body of the surrounding schools. The signs that were distributed last year were a response to the distance learning situation, where many students didn’t get to celebrate achievements with friends and family. Despite what you may think, I’m sure there are numerous families and children for whom an elementary or middle school “graduation” or promotion would be well worth celebrating. You shouldn’t speak for every family’s situation or struggles.

My 8th grade daughter received an Eagle Ridge 8th grade “graduation” sign last spring. While 8th grade was hardly a challenge for her, we appreciated it none the less, proudly displayed it in our yard for several weeks, and still have it in our garage. It was a symbolic gesture of unity and triumph over the struggle that was distance-learning. It had nothing do to with enriching the coffers of random businesses.

While I definitely think we can do more to restrict waste, this type of crusade is hardly helpful. How many signs were distributed last year, in comparison to the number of plastic cups thrown away at the Broadlands Starbucks in a single week? What value did those signs provide families, especially families with children who struggled to make it out of 5th or 8th grade, vs. the plastic cup, the zip-lock bag, or the Saran Wrap?

 

My daughter graduated from Briar in 2020. That was a horrible and abrupt end to her senior year. The yard signs were a nice way to acknowledge the kids. My son was an 8th grade "graduate" last year during distance learning. That sign was a really nice touch too. We still have the signs for both kids and won't be adding to the landfill.

 

I had an 8th grade graduate last year too who was doing distance-learning. Funny that she was the one who tried to educate me about the non-personalized and unsolicited yard signs that were most likely going to be added to the landfill.
I respect your opinions on the subject and I agree that my tone should have been better. I wanted to edit it, but unfortunately this forum does not allow any change to a post including removal.
Here's hoping that pandemic won't mess with kids' school lives anymore and they would have proper graduations and celebrations going forward!

 

You can edit your posts. Look underneath what you post...

" T8erman, A moment ago Edit Delete Report "

 

Strange. I only see 'Report'.

 

I couldn't do anything to the post even immediately after I posted it.

 

Proof

 

That was my guess. Thank you.

 

I am 7 days after my post above and still can edit it.