A friend of mine shared this email with me.  As she said, homeroom teachers are now shilling for Starbucks. 

 Starbucks and Highland Park Elementary have a Partnering Program and a wonderful opportunity for Highland Park to earn easy cash through November 16, 2009! Come into our neighborhood, Northland Starbucks and purchase a 12pk of VIA Ready Brew (Starbucks new amazing instant coffee!) for $9.99 and $1 will be donated back to HP.  All you need to do is bring a copy of this e-mail announcement in order for HP to receive the CREDIT.  Valid ONLY at the Northland Starbucks 3317 Northland Drive until November 16, 2009.  The new, VIA instant coffee is great on those especially busy days with your little Scottie and you are able to help HP at the same time—support our Partner in Education and support our school!  Great opportunity to purchase early holiday gifts for teachers, coaches, Scout leaders, dance instructors, carpool drivers…Divide the box into four packs of three, pair each three-pack with a mug and you have a wonderful way to say “happy holidays” to those special folks.Highland Park loves Starbuck’s VIA Ready Brew!

 Again, Starbucks benefits from an atophied public.   Parents are asked to buy VIA coffee -- to spend $10 at Starbucks to get a a dollar into their school coffers.  This kinds of things remind me of the virtues of the New Deal and of the older, less privatized social contract.  

And then, what are these people going to do with all those pack of Via?