Discussions

My Gr 12 student from Vincent Massey came home and said that the school staff decided to have a sub and wrap lunch rather than a banquet dinner this year due to cost issues. Apparently the subs will cost $23 a person. I understand that Canad Inns has a monopoly over catering at the Keystone Centre. Hmmm - I can buy a 12 inch meatball sub for $5 at the Subway across the street. And a cup of java would only add another buck or two. Think that maybe Canad Inns is taking us all for a ride? Unfortunately the Manitoba Room is the only room in town big enough to hold the grads and their families.  
 
I am not aware of any sort of parent or grad student meeting that was called this fall to discuss what the grads of this year, and their families want to do. Or even any sort of note sent home for a vote. How many plan to attend grad? Out of those, who would attend a submarine sandwich lunch for $23? How many would attend an evening banquet for $XX ($50ish is what I understand it would have cost.)  
 
When her older sibling graduated five years ago, the Canad grad banquet cost around thirty dollars. Now it is about 60% higher! The cost of groceries and wages hasn't gone up that much! I wish my wages had gone up 60%!  
 
For those who could not have paid for a banquet, are they going to think that $23 for subs is worth paying for either? Could they afford to take their family for lunch at that price either? i.e. does the school even know if it is necessary to cancel the banquet? Will more students actually attend a lunch than an evening banquet?  
 
And how many families will just go out for a nicer evening meal at a restaurant instead of, or in addition, to celebrate the graduation (and hard work and achievement) of their son or daughter? So then they could pay $23 for subs and then pay again at a restaurant, so they could end up paying just as much or more in the long run.  
 
If cost is an issue, then maybe students could have the option of skipping the banquet, and arriving after the food has been served, and they could still take part in the slide show, the grand march, photo opportunities and such.  
 
So did I waste my money getting a grad gown? I thought I got a good deal - last year's stock. Maybe I wasted my money. I don't know if girls will still wear gowns or not.  
 
Maybe this was the best decision the school could have made. And maybe not. I just wish the school had taken the time to poll the students and their parents to find out first. If the majority of the students and their families preferred subs then I would go along with the majority. Fair is fair. If there was some sort of meeting and I was not aware of it, let me know, and I will take back almost all of my comments (except for the ones about the Canad Inn monopoly and their pricing.)