As all media report, Thanksgiving launches a month of seasonal spending across America. Once again, I am reminded that our culture does not always use its resources wisely and puts great pressure on children to acquire without thinking about the present or future cost. As I mentioned at this time last year, Bridget Johnson, dean of students, and I have been considering how best to develop systems and practices that will help parents teach the next generation to handle money more consciously. Last year, we banned all charges to students’ IA accounts for clubs selling food and clothing as fundraisers. The former remains a cash-only enterprise and the number of other sales has been reduced. In addition, you found a form among those posted in the summer that enabled you to set a limit on bookstore spending for your child. We have asked our technology department to work with Follett (Milton’s bookstore vendor) so that current information about your child’s bookstore spending will be available to you through myMilton. Bryan Price and others in the technology department have made progress in designing a way to furnish information to you in a clear format that is timely and useful. The application will enable you to see the details and discuss with your child the type and frequency of his or her purchases at the bookstore. We hope to have this up and running to by the time you go to myMilton for first semester grades and comments. You will see the link under “student info.” We expect that some parents will be surprised that books are not always the most frequent bookstore purchase and believe the resulting conversations about choices (and snacking habits) will be valuable.   

The form that allows you to limit bookstore spending is just one of many forms every family needs to talk about and fill out each summer. Last year was the first that most forms were on line. The deans and communication office are together evaluating that new system and, in their discussions, are examining the timing and content of all our summer communications, both hard copy and electronic. The move towards electronic communication, while inevitable, offers some challenges as well as the obvious benefits of convenient access and better use of resources. We expect to adjust the process and are eager to hear advice for making the system more user-friendly.  In the meantime, I hope the coming winter vacation will give you the chance to share time and adventures with your children and bask in the warm company of friends and loved ones. Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2010.

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