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School photos bring unmanageable cost for some parents

Dear editor, Why, oh why, do schools slam parents with pictures just after school starts?

Dear editor,

Why, oh why, do schools slam parents with pictures just after school starts?

I know this is another year my child will not get hers because funds have already been allocated to school startup purchases. I know that many other students of low-income parents probably will not be able to either. The photo companies can do their planning to the convenience of the customers i.e.. students and families, and not the business scheduling.

The Child Tax Credit is paid on the 20th of the month and welfare check the third Wednesday of the month, so if you really want to make things accessible to low-income families all notices should be given on or about the 18th of every month and events planned for the third or last week of the month.

It has been a consistent and ongoing discrepancy in planning and requesting funds over the years. It would be nice if the school board and schools would remedy this problem.

Beverly Wong,

Courtenay

Editor's note: School District 71 official Dean Patterson responds, "The photo company provides the school with student photos for our student information computer system, for student ID card, bus passes and yearbook photo. Several of these are needed at the start of the school year. These are all provided to the school for free in exchange for the opportunity to sell ... the parent a photo package. You, of course, are under no obligation to buy one these packages and can in fact buy similar packages at Walmart any time of the year you wish."