FRISCO — It began as a good-hearted gesture to celebrate a Frisco principal's birthday, but now some parents say collecting money from students to buy her an expensive purse sent the wrong message to the kids.
Teachers at Frisco's Carroll Elementary sent a letter out to parents asking everyone to donate a quarter to buy principal Melissa Ellis a birthday present — a designer purse to go with the designer shoes they bought her with donations last year.
"The message we're sending to our kids is that a nice, expensive present is what we should be giving and getting, instead of doing something that is more of the spirit of giving," said parent Iliana Cantavilla.
While parents were okay with the idea of giving the principal a birthday gift, some said they wanted the money donated to a charity in the principal’s name. Zindy Wilde said it was an opportunity to teach the children a good lesson about giving.
"It’s about teaching the kids the right thing to do, and we’re certainly not doing that by contributing to designer products for principals," Wilde said.
Other parents — like Brian and Kim Peckham — had a hard time understanding why anyone would get upset about giving Ellis a gift.
"When the letter first came out, I got the message that we're trying to appreciate somebody," Brian Peckham said.
When Ellis found out about the surprise gift, she sent out a mass e-mail asking parents to let her donate it to a program that helps Frisco's needy.
"I just really feel like that would be the best use for any quarter a child might give," she said.
Parents applauded the principal's move, calling it "awesome" and "above and beyond."
E-mail sstoler@wfaa.com
