High Times in High School

This morning was the "Back to School" Principal's coffee with parents meeting.
As my son is now a full time student in our public system again, I am behind on what's happening and how to make sure that he gets all the possible advantages to success, so I made sure to attend.
My high school is over populated by about 100 kids, but the district is seeking extra teachers and staffing for them.
Several classes were under booked and needed to be incorporated with others, creating situations that *used* to be called "teaching tracks", whereby some students learn a lesson at a slower pace than others or with more detail than others. It was never a bad system, but sometime in the 80's it was abolished as being emotionally punitive to the slower learners.
Year books are $85.00 each. I doubt if anyone in their right minds is noticing that cost, but I thought it appalling.
The school is considering combining the Jr. Prom and the Sr. Prom to the same night because last year, only 40 Jr. couples attended. The principal went on to explain that the amount of time, hard work, and money needed to rent the hotel, food, etc. was just not justified for the kids and the class leaders were looking into this change. Of course, we all also noted that the Seniors- we work very hard to have a prom all to themselves- would be at a disadvantage.
My own thoughts ran along the lines of "You have got to be kidding! More than half the parents of students here are unable to pay all their bills, more than 20% qualify for food assistance and free meals under Title 1, almost 30% need to come by bus from very poor neighborhoods, and yet we are promoting these damned expensive proms where the average kid spends over $1,000 dollars for a NIGHT? That is NUTS! Why not just have a Jr. dance for the class at a lower price where more kids can attend?".
I voiced my opinion about parents losing houses while kids encourage lavish proms- the room went silent and then every parent there (all of whom are boosters, involved in support, and either have jobs or have spouse's with great jobs) just moved on with other events.
It made me rather disgusted. Spoilt, rich, selfish, ridiculous spending is part of the reason our great country is so divided. CHILDREN do not need to spend money on themselves to such a horrendous degree just to celebrate graduating High School, and the *junior class* certainly does not need a special 'formal' prom at such a cost.
Obviously, the parents in charge of the school are in the wealthy category that cannot possibly hear my thoughts. They need- yes, *need*- to indulge their children with rites of passage far beyond the means of the other kids. It's why they, and their families, are special, and wonderful, and loved by their creator, and destined for better lives and happier things than all those other kids. They can afford it.
The roosters, as my granny would say, have now come home to roost. The costs of such an overblown expression of self esteem and celebration means that most of the Jr. class last year just could not attend, probably because of cost more than any other factor. I was given no other reason for the low attendance rate. So now, the Sr. class is going to have to either allow their younger classmates to share in their 'special night'- making it not so special- or the Jr's are going to have to forgo having a special 'prom' all to themselves 2 years in a row and just wait to be seniors.
I am not feeling badly for either group.
Costs quoted can go as high as $1500.00 for a prom at some schools. Washington DC writers broke down actual costs for a Senior year to more than that.
I am afraid of how much just getting my son an education is going to cost, and to have the school ENCOURAGE wasteful spending on a *junior* prom just makes me gag.
I want to have kids happy about school, involved in projects, dating in safe environments, learning how to be grown ups, and celebrating their victories.
I do not have to spend money to do any of those things, and I dislike the wealthy parents using displays of wealth as a rite of passage that only a very small percentage of students can participate in.
It creates a 2-tiered school system, with kids that can afford it all (limos, hotel rooms, $80.00 dinners, $40.00 flowers, $100.00 tux rentals, $200.00 adult dresses, shoes, purses, pictures, bands, decorations, etc.) showing off how lucky they are while the larger majority of students smile and look the other way, scuff their shoes on the ground and mumble that they "really don't want to go to a prom" as the only excuse that salvages their pride.
It is hard enough when kids are seniors to justify this kind of show. It is ridiculous to foster it on 16 year olds.
Do these children really understand the value of money? The kids who cannot attend sure do. Their feelings are not valued as much as their classmates parents money.