Update:  Please see the end of this article for an important update! 

We homeschool. We also like to take advantage of several of the promotions that large companies have sponsored throughout the years aimed at elementary students. Most promotions are clear in the wording of their requirements, which is typically that the contestant be of a certain age or a U.S. citizen. A recent promotion by Subway, however, makes it perfectly clear in its official rules that we are not welcome to enter.

At first glance, it seems like a pretty cool contest. Kids write a story using one of four “story starters” and try to incorporate fitness into the theme. Every child who enters and attaches a Subway receipt also gets a book. Prizes range from a Scholastic gift basket and a Subway gift certificate to the grand prize of $5,000 in athletic equipment and their story published on the website.

So why am I a little perturbed? I could see how awarding $5,000 in athletic equipment would seem to be something more fairly awarded to a child in “elementary, private or parochial schools that serve grades PreK-6” (even though many homeschoolers use the same public sports facilities as other students, and the funds could be designated similarly.) Why is this something that over 1 million U.S. homeschool students couldn’t enjoy and use to better their own communities and schools (including public and charter schools)? But what about the other prizes? Couldn’t they at least be eligible for the stinkin’ gift card?

Usually I am not one to even mention such a faux pas. After all, companies do much dumber things in the course of doing businesses. I wouldn’t even care if this wasn’t something being advertised at my local Subway (the only franchised restaurant in our little town) and my daughter didn’t love to enter essay contests.

So what’s the deal, Subway? Is it that you aren’t interested in serving the homeschool community? Does Scholastic (a teacher-driven book supplier) have you afraid to open your promotion to homeschoolers? (Which is surprising since homeschool teachers, like myself, do a lot of businesses with their book clubs --- which are open to homeschools.)

Conservative activist groups are using the opportunity to cry foul on Subway for their apparent indiscretion. I’m going to take a laxer approach. I’ll continue to give my business to those companies that have welcomed my family with open arms.

Earlier this year, my son entered a giveaway by Qubo and Big Idea. We won a private movie screening for 100 people, and they treated us like royalty. When they asked us where our kids went to school, we proudly told them we homeschooled. Their response? An extra large box of toys, games, and loot from the sponsor.

Many homeschoolers have money to spend, and those that don’t at least have to eat. Maybe Subway will correct its ways before the promotion ends in July. If not, I’ll be headed to Schlotzky’s.

Update:  According to the AFA, Subway has issued an apology via partnering Scholastic public relations department:

The apology reads:

Regarding your concerns about the Subway contest that excludes home schools from contest eligibility, Scholastic and Subway apologize to all individuals who have taken offense at this. Our intention was never to make independent schooled children feel discriminated against or excluded from this specific promotion.

Throughout the course of the year Scholastic runs a number of contests and sweepstakes that are open to all teachers and students. The eligibility of this contest in particular was solely put in place to award a large group of children with the grand prize of $5,000 worth of athletic equipment. We do however understand how home- schooled children could benefit from this type of prizing and will make sure eligibility is open to everyone in future promotions.

We appreciate your feedback and will make sure a similar situation does not happen in the future.

 (While this doesn't change the current promotions exclusion of homeschoolers, it's nice to see they heard the message that many families were trying to send.