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Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Friendly guy on 8/22/2025, 4:26 pm

Directors, just a quick but important reminder. If you are taking your students out to eat this year—whether it is for marching contests, football games or other events—or if you are having food delivered to your band hall or performance venue, please remember to tip the delivery drivers and restaurant staff.

After 40 years in education, I understand that some school business managers may say tipping is not allowed but there are often creative and appropriate ways to make it happen. It is worth the effort. These workers often earn minimum wage or less and a tip can make a real difference for them.

So whenever possible, find a way to show appreciation. It is a simple way to be kind, set a good example for your students and support those who are serving us while we serve our kids.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by monkey wrench on 9/4/2025, 4:51 pm, in reply to "Friendly Reminder for Directors"

The whole tipping thing says more about the how the food service industry values their employees than individuals, and now school organizations being expected to supplement the income of employees who are being underpaid by employers. Notice that I didn't say don't tip, I'm just saying that it speaks volumes about the industry.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Respectfully on 9/8/2025, 7:32 am, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

Yes, it's absolute crap that the food industry gets away with it. But we have to play with the rules as they are, not as we wish they would be.

Districts that won't tip adequately are insulting serving staff.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Red tape on 8/23/2025, 10:20 am, in reply to "Friendly Reminder for Directors"

The max my district allows for a tip is $10. I always feel bad putting a $10 tip on a 300 pizza order.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Brkt87 on 8/27/2025, 12:53 pm, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

I always have my kids bring an extra $2 or $3 for the tip.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Respectfully on 8/27/2025, 7:41 am, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

Ask your district when that policy was put in place, and whether it is fair to restaurant workers to do hundreds of dollars of work for a single-percentage-point tip, when they make less than minimum wage.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by ha on 8/27/2025, 10:57 am, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

I wonder if the district will say that it is not their responsibility to determine how much a food service employee makes?

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by West Texas on 8/28/2025, 4:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

Find a way to tip. These guys work to help you. Don’t be cheap

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Respectfully on 8/28/2025, 7:35 am, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

No, it isn't, but the ISD is a part of the greater community, and many businesses will simply refuse to serve ISD groups if they keep getting stiffed on the tips. The money to adequately tip should not be coming out of the pocket of the director or the booster club.

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by Yeah... on 8/28/2025, 7:29 am, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

My district says just that. That's why I have the kids bring $2 or so and we "pass the hat".

Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors

Posted by nope on 8/25/2025, 2:01 pm, in reply to "Re: Friendly Reminder for Directors"

Ours does not allow tips at all. If we have boosters with us, we try to get them to leave something if possible.

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