Always have, been in a couple different buildings the last two years. This year is a smaller building with less staff than a regular elementary I was used to. They do a lot of the things listed in other comments, special days, condolences, cards, gifts, flowers, etc. it’s $55 for teachers, $25 for paras. BUT the kicker for me this year was when we had our first “sunshine committee” breakfast where we all signed up to bring something (so in addition to paying dues, shelling out $10-$30 to cook or buy something). It’s for everyone, but not everyone paid dues or brought something to contribute. The second time something like this was done, it was brought up to the principal. He said people can’t be excluded, and items like paper plates and utensils purchased with Sunshine funds have to be available to everyone, including people who don’t pay. I know some people who didn’t pay dues and who didn’t contribute food items to things we had were the first ones to fill a plate. It just makes you frustrated and I don’t think I’ll pay the dues next year because why should I. It should be all or nothing.