The Baffling Reason Poor Kids Were Banned From Their School Carnival

If you can't pay, you can't play.

That's the message coming from an elementary school in New York City, in which kids whose parents didn't pay $10 could not attend the school carnival.

More than 100 children from PS 120 in Flushing, Queens, were forced to sit in a darkened auditorium while the festivities took place outside on school grounds during regular class time this past Thursday. According to the New York Post, close to 900 kids went to the festival, with pre-K-to-fifth-grade classes taking turns, each spending 45 minutes outside enjoying inflatable slides, a bouncing room, and a teacup ride — along with popcorn, flavored ices, and other treats.

Those stuck inside were allowed to watch a Disney movie instead. According to teacher's aides who supervised, the music — blasted from a DJ — and the children's laughter outside could be heard in the auditorium.

"It's breaking my heart that there are kids inside," one teacher said.

Several members of the community, after hearing about this must-pay rule, have offered to host those who couldn't participate with a second carnival and have urged the school to solicit donations in the future.

"Next time they have a carnival, any kids that can't pay the price, please send me the bill for each and all that were less fortunate," Carlos Medina told the Post.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education said it is investigating the incident, according to agency spokesman Jason Fink.

"We're trying to get to the bottom of it and make sure there's not a repeat," said assemblyman Ron Kim. "It's very unfortunate that when they actually have a chance to go out and act like children, they can't."