RANT - I Hate the PTA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree completely OP. I can’t imagine that question would have been asked of a dad. It’s more unnecessary expectations on women by women. I appreciate the women (usually it’s women) who step up to be on the pta but I wish they would be mindful of creating unnecessary sh*t to do. Unnecessary because I don’t think the teachers even care about this stuff.

Ding! We really don't.

Our week is laid out like this:

Monday - early breakfast; yes, arriving at school 45 mins. is exactly how I want to start off my week. Especially for some greasy Chick-fil-A.
Tuesday - flower day; my favorites are the hand-drawn flowers instead of real ones as most flowers give me an instant headache. I tell the kids I'm taking them home to brighten up my house but immediately toss them in the trash. I do feel bad for .02 seconds after tossing them.
Wednesday - gift card day; this one makes me most uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being bribed. 99% of the gift cards received will be for Starbucks, which is awesome, but again, I just don't think that money, even in gift card form, should be exchanged with teachers.
Thursday - card day; they're supposed to be handmade, but most are storebought. Some aren't even signed by the kid and are instead signed by the parent as the kid. To make up for immediately tossing the flowers, I usually keep and display the cards for a week.
Friday - lunch & cake day; catered lunch & cake is fine and probably all that's ever really needed for this week. Some years the room parents will take up a separate collection for a larger gift card and give it to you on this day. Again, it makes me super uncomfortable. I'd rather parents just donated that gift card money to the PTA fund that covers field trip fees for the kids whose parents can't.

Uncomfortable is a valid complaint. Then you should communicate that to your PTA and Principal.

The rest of your post is obnoxiously rude. The breakfast at our school is not "chik-fil-a" but homemade casseroles and Panera items. And they are set out about 20 min before the doors open. They teachers an partake or not. But, after reading a post like yours, I def won't be contributing this year.

As for the gifts, you're ungrateful and make some ridiculous assumptions. Nothing more to be said.

I think that’s kind of her whole point - she doesn’t care if you participate or not. I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but she said teachers don’t care about TA week so your threat not to bring in breakfast items is kind of silly.

Oh sure. You don't think those teachers would be the FIRST to complain about how "parents can't even be bothered to bring in some restaurant prepared casserole?" MMMk. They absolutely would. 100% sure they would.

And more to the point here, the KIDS know it's TA appreciation week. And in ES, at least, enjoy seeing the teachers recognized and giving them gifts or seeing them receive special treatment. I couldn't possibly care less what any teacher thinks of me or my efforts on behalf of TA week. But my child is involved in picking things out and is excited to participate. So, to hear this teacher's complaining, rudeness, and admitting to just throwing things out, I have a problem with that.

Nobody cares about your casserole, lady. This may come as a shock, but most teachers aren’t sitting around complaining about the lack of casseroles.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole concept of TAW is stupid. I'm fine with giving a winter gift and/or end-of-year gift, but an entire week on top of those? Nope.

I'm a teacher and I agree with this as well.

Teacher here, also.

I would love for parents to show their appreciation simply by raising their kids to realize that are the center of the universe and that “no” is a real thing.

[Anonymous]

^ that they AREN’T the center...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid's school has parents sign up to make the teachers each a homemade dinner during TA week. This seems like such a waste - this stuff goes right in the trash, right??

I’m a teacher. I don’t eat homemade-anything that’s given to me by students or their parents. Sorry!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole concept of TAW is stupid. I'm fine with giving a winter gift and/or end-of-year gift, but an entire week on top of those? Nope.

I'm a teacher and I agree with this as well.

Teacher here, also.

I would love for parents to show their appreciation simply by raising their kids to realize that are the center of the universe and that “no” is a real thing.

It would also be nice if some teachers had some rules as well. Bullying is rampant at our school, but no consequences because that would involve work and actually being strict about something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree completely OP. I can’t imagine that question would have been asked of a dad. It’s more unnecessary expectations on women by women. I appreciate the women (usually it’s women) who step up to be on the pta but I wish they would be mindful of creating unnecessary sh*t to do. Unnecessary because I don’t think the teachers even care about this stuff.

Ding! We really don't.

Our week is laid out like this:

Monday - early breakfast; yes, arriving at school 45 mins. is exactly how I want to start off my week. Especially for some greasy Chick-fil-A.
Tuesday - flower day; my favorites are the hand-drawn flowers instead of real ones as most flowers give me an instant headache. I tell the kids I'm taking them home to brighten up my house but immediately toss them in the trash. I do feel bad for .02 seconds after tossing them.
Wednesday - gift card day; this one makes me most uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being bribed. 99% of the gift cards received will be for Starbucks, which is awesome, but again, I just don't think that money, even in gift card form, should be exchanged with teachers.
Thursday - card day; they're supposed to be handmade, but most are storebought. Some aren't even signed by the kid and are instead signed by the parent as the kid. To make up for immediately tossing the flowers, I usually keep and display the cards for a week.
Friday - lunch & cake day; catered lunch & cake is fine and probably all that's ever really needed for this week. Some years the room parents will take up a separate collection for a larger gift card and give it to you on this day. Again, it makes me super uncomfortable. I'd rather parents just donated that gift card money to the PTA fund that covers field trip fees for the kids whose parents can't.

Uncomfortable is a valid complaint. Then you should communicate that to your PTA and Principal.

The rest of your post is obnoxiously rude. The breakfast at our school is not "chik-fil-a" but homemade casseroles and Panera items. And they are set out about 20 min before the doors open. They teachers an partake or not. But, after reading a post like yours, I def won't be contributing this year.

As for the gifts, you're ungrateful and make some ridiculous assumptions. Nothing more to be said.

I think that’s kind of her whole point - she doesn’t care if you participate or not. I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but she said teachers don’t care about TA week so your threat not to bring in breakfast items is kind of silly.

Oh sure. You don't think those teachers would be the FIRST to complain about how "parents can't even be bothered to bring in some restaurant prepared casserole?" MMMk. They absolutely would. 100% sure they would.

And more to the point here, the KIDS know it's TA appreciation week. And in ES, at least, enjoy seeing the teachers recognized and giving them gifts or seeing them receive special treatment. I couldn't possibly care less what any teacher thinks of me or my efforts on behalf of TA week. But my child is involved in picking things out and is excited to participate. So, to hear this teacher's complaining, rudeness, and admitting to just throwing things out, I have a problem with that.

You are way too invested in this. She’s accepting the gifts nicely so your special little snowflake isn’t disappointed. But clearly you are doing this for your child, and don’t give a shit what the teacher wants. And then are upset she’s not properly appreciative.

It is hard to teach kids good manners when the adults don't have them.

[Anonymous]

I have never heard of a school doing this. Ours doesn't even send a letter home for TAW. It's understood that if the kids want to bring something, fine. If not, also fine. My brother and sister-in-law are teachers, and they rarely acknowledge the week on social media. They know that they are appreciated, and do not need reminders during one week of the year. It would never occur to them to put parents under extreme stress just so they can feel appreciated. Life happens. People work. People struggle. No one is Superwoman, or Superman either, for that matter. You do you, OP, and tell Mrs.Complaining SAHM to hush. And no, I do not work because I'm disabled, but I used to work almost 100 hrs/wk. I didn't bother with stressing myself out for anything extra. Let the ones who can do whatever they feel like they need to do, and ignore their snotty remarks.

[Anonymous]

Most people don’t want a gift that the giver didn’t want to give.

Our school does a busy week. When you first get the email it is overwhelming, but take a deep breath and do only the things you want and/or the things where your child would feel left out if they were the only ones not bringing in a flower or card.

If there are other parents out there that enjoy doing this or feel a sense of obligation or think it is important, then that’s their decision. If they judge, who cares, that is their issue. You always have the power to do as much or as little as you like or find appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the whole concept of TAW is stupid. I'm fine with giving a winter gift and/or end-of-year gift, but an entire week on top of those? Nope.

I'm a teacher and I agree with this as well.

Teacher here, also.

I would love for parents to show their appreciation simply by raising their kids to realize that are the center of the universe and that “no” is a real thing.

It would also be nice if some teachers had some rules as well. Bullying is rampant at our school, but no consequences because that would involve work and actually being strict about something.

Right- it has nothing to do with the laws set by state laws or school guidelines... Do you really believe that teachers prefer to just ignore bullying?

[Anonymous]

I have received over a dozen emails, not including reminders from PTA/parents about Teacher Appreciation Week, plus the letter that was sent home for one child and not the other. Each email was from a different person, asking for slightly different things or the exact same thing. Only a few emails were tied to a specific class/teacher. They want money, lots of food, gifts (door prize), gift cards (door prize), door decorators, flowers, cards, wearing a certain color, special drinks, cooks, general volunteers, and supplies. Its such a cluster! I don't mind helping out, but get organized. Help me help you, and in turn we can all thank the teachers/staff/administration.

[Anonymous]

This thread makes is super easy for me to opt out of TAW now. Congrats ungrateful teachers! You got your wish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have received over a dozen emails, not including reminders from PTA/parents about Teacher Appreciation Week, plus the letter that was sent home for one child and not the other. Each email was from a different person, asking for slightly different things or the exact same thing. Only a few emails were tied to a specific class/teacher. They want money, lots of food, gifts (door prize), gift cards (door prize), door decorators, flowers, cards, wearing a certain color, special drinks, cooks, general volunteers, and supplies. Its such a cluster! I don't mind helping out, but get organized. Help me help you, and in turn we can all thank the teachers/staff/administration.

Well, that's your PTA being disorganized and not an indictment of all PTAs of the world. My PTA, in which I do not hold a leadership role, but which I am extremely grateful for, sent out 1 email 2 weeks ago, and a reminder closer to the date. PTA is taking care of nearly all the week's activities (breakfast, lunch, flowers etc.) using PTA funds. Parents aren't asked to do anything extra unless their class room parent is organizing something separate (gift card, meal, cards from the kids etc.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree completely OP. I can’t imagine that question would have been asked of a dad. It’s more unnecessary expectations on women by women. I appreciate the women (usually it’s women) who step up to be on the pta but I wish they would be mindful of creating unnecessary sh*t to do. Unnecessary because I don’t think the teachers even care about this stuff.

Ding! We really don't.

Our week is laid out like this:

Monday - early breakfast; yes, arriving at school 45 mins. is exactly how I want to start off my week. Especially for some greasy Chick-fil-A.
Tuesday - flower day; my favorites are the hand-drawn flowers instead of real ones as most flowers give me an instant headache. I tell the kids I'm taking them home to brighten up my house but immediately toss them in the trash. I do feel bad for .02 seconds after tossing them.
Wednesday - gift card day; this one makes me most uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being bribed. 99% of the gift cards received will be for Starbucks, which is awesome, but again, I just don't think that money, even in gift card form, should be exchanged with teachers.
Thursday - card day; they're supposed to be handmade, but most are storebought. Some aren't even signed by the kid and are instead signed by the parent as the kid. To make up for immediately tossing the flowers, I usually keep and display the cards for a week.
Friday - lunch & cake day; catered lunch & cake is fine and probably all that's ever really needed for this week. Some years the room parents will take up a separate collection for a larger gift card and give it to you on this day. Again, it makes me super uncomfortable. I'd rather parents just donated that gift card money to the PTA fund that covers field trip fees for the kids whose parents can't.

Uncomfortable is a valid complaint. Then you should communicate that to your PTA and Principal.

The rest of your post is obnoxiously rude. The breakfast at our school is not "chik-fil-a" but homemade casseroles and Panera items. And they are set out about 20 min before the doors open. They teachers an partake or not. But, after reading a post like yours, I def won't be contributing this year.

As for the gifts, you're ungrateful and make some ridiculous assumptions. Nothing more to be said.

I think that’s kind of her whole point - she doesn’t care if you participate or not. I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but she said teachers don’t care about TA week so your threat not to bring in breakfast items is kind of silly.

Oh sure. You don't think those teachers would be the FIRST to complain about how "parents can't even be bothered to bring in some restaurant prepared casserole?" MMMk. They absolutely would. 100% sure they would.

And more to the point here, the KIDS know it's TA appreciation week. And in ES, at least, enjoy seeing the teachers recognized and giving them gifts or seeing them receive special treatment. I couldn't possibly care less what any teacher thinks of me or my efforts on behalf of TA week. But my child is involved in picking things out and is excited to participate. So, to hear this teacher's complaining, rudeness, and admitting to just throwing things out, I have a problem with that.

Nobody cares about your casserole, lady. This may come as a shock, but most teachers aren’t sitting around complaining about the lack of casseroles.

Sure they do. The minute TAW went away, we'd hear even more about how much teachers are underpaid and underappreciated. Which is a common theme on here. And while true, they complain when people are trying to do something for them that's w/in their control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree completely OP. I can’t imagine that question would have been asked of a dad. It’s more unnecessary expectations on women by women. I appreciate the women (usually it’s women) who step up to be on the pta but I wish they would be mindful of creating unnecessary sh*t to do. Unnecessary because I don’t think the teachers even care about this stuff.

Ding! We really don't.

Our week is laid out like this:

Monday - early breakfast; yes, arriving at school 45 mins. is exactly how I want to start off my week. Especially for some greasy Chick-fil-A.
Tuesday - flower day; my favorites are the hand-drawn flowers instead of real ones as most flowers give me an instant headache. I tell the kids I'm taking them home to brighten up my house but immediately toss them in the trash. I do feel bad for .02 seconds after tossing them.
Wednesday - gift card day; this one makes me most uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being bribed. 99% of the gift cards received will be for Starbucks, which is awesome, but again, I just don't think that money, even in gift card form, should be exchanged with teachers.
Thursday - card day; they're supposed to be handmade, but most are storebought. Some aren't even signed by the kid and are instead signed by the parent as the kid. To make up for immediately tossing the flowers, I usually keep and display the cards for a week.
Friday - lunch & cake day; catered lunch & cake is fine and probably all that's ever really needed for this week. Some years the room parents will take up a separate collection for a larger gift card and give it to you on this day. Again, it makes me super uncomfortable. I'd rather parents just donated that gift card money to the PTA fund that covers field trip fees for the kids whose parents can't.

Uncomfortable is a valid complaint. Then you should communicate that to your PTA and Principal.

The rest of your post is obnoxiously rude. The breakfast at our school is not "chik-fil-a" but homemade casseroles and Panera items. And they are set out about 20 min before the doors open. They teachers an partake or not. But, after reading a post like yours, I def won't be contributing this year.

As for the gifts, you're ungrateful and make some ridiculous assumptions. Nothing more to be said.

I think that’s kind of her whole point - she doesn’t care if you participate or not. I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but she said teachers don’t care about TA week so your threat not to bring in breakfast items is kind of silly.

Oh sure. You don't think those teachers would be the FIRST to complain about how "parents can't even be bothered to bring in some restaurant prepared casserole?" MMMk. They absolutely would. 100% sure they would.

And more to the point here, the KIDS know it's TA appreciation week. And in ES, at least, enjoy seeing the teachers recognized and giving them gifts or seeing them receive special treatment. I couldn't possibly care less what any teacher thinks of me or my efforts on behalf of TA week. But my child is involved in picking things out and is excited to participate. So, to hear this teacher's complaining, rudeness, and admitting to just throwing things out, I have a problem with that.

You are way too invested in this. She’s accepting the gifts nicely so your special little snowflake isn’t disappointed. But clearly you are doing this for your child, and don’t give a shit what the teacher wants. And then are upset she’s not properly appreciative.

Wrong again. I'm just tired of hearing how much all of this is unappreciated, when people are trying to do something nice. My kid is far from a snowflake, so you can save your BS accusations. You know exactly nothing in that regard. But, yes, when people aren't appreciative, I find that distasteful. How hard is it to just shut it and be grateful. Instead of coming on here and complaining that you don't like this or that? It doesn't matter if they say thank you to the child if it's disingenuous. And we now know that it is.

As far as what the teacher wants, we get a yearly "wish list" of likes/dislikes, just like a registry. They get something off that, usually a GC and something else they like. So, wrong again.

If the TEACHERS are so put out by all this, then they should go to the principal, their union, their PTA, etc. and demand that it stop. Get back to me if that happens. I'll wait .. .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree completely OP. I can’t imagine that question would have been asked of a dad. It’s more unnecessary expectations on women by women. I appreciate the women (usually it’s women) who step up to be on the pta but I wish they would be mindful of creating unnecessary sh*t to do. Unnecessary because I don’t think the teachers even care about this stuff.

Ding! We really don't.

Our week is laid out like this:

Monday - early breakfast; yes, arriving at school 45 mins. is exactly how I want to start off my week. Especially for some greasy Chick-fil-A.
Tuesday - flower day; my favorites are the hand-drawn flowers instead of real ones as most flowers give me an instant headache. I tell the kids I'm taking them home to brighten up my house but immediately toss them in the trash. I do feel bad for .02 seconds after tossing them.
Wednesday - gift card day; this one makes me most uncomfortable because I always feel like I'm being bribed. 99% of the gift cards received will be for Starbucks, which is awesome, but again, I just don't think that money, even in gift card form, should be exchanged with teachers.
Thursday - card day; they're supposed to be handmade, but most are storebought. Some aren't even signed by the kid and are instead signed by the parent as the kid. To make up for immediately tossing the flowers, I usually keep and display the cards for a week.
Friday - lunch & cake day; catered lunch & cake is fine and probably all that's ever really needed for this week. Some years the room parents will take up a separate collection for a larger gift card and give it to you on this day. Again, it makes me super uncomfortable. I'd rather parents just donated that gift card money to the PTA fund that covers field trip fees for the kids whose parents can't.

Uncomfortable is a valid complaint. Then you should communicate that to your PTA and Principal.

The rest of your post is obnoxiously rude. The breakfast at our school is not "chik-fil-a" but homemade casseroles and Panera items. And they are set out about 20 min before the doors open. They teachers an partake or not. But, after reading a post like yours, I def won't be contributing this year.

As for the gifts, you're ungrateful and make some ridiculous assumptions. Nothing more to be said.

I think that’s kind of her whole point - she doesn’t care if you participate or not. I don’t want to put words in her mouth, but she said teachers don’t care about TA week so your threat not to bring in breakfast items is kind of silly.

Oh sure. You don't think those teachers would be the FIRST to complain about how "parents can't even be bothered to bring in some restaurant prepared casserole?" MMMk. They absolutely would. 100% sure they would.

And more to the point here, the KIDS know it's TA appreciation week. And in ES, at least, enjoy seeing the teachers recognized and giving them gifts or seeing them receive special treatment. I couldn't possibly care less what any teacher thinks of me or my efforts on behalf of TA week. But my child is involved in picking things out and is excited to participate. So, to hear this teacher's complaining, rudeness, and admitting to just throwing things out, I have a problem with that.

You are way too invested in this. She’s accepting the gifts nicely so your special little snowflake isn’t disappointed. But clearly you are doing this for your child, and don’t give a shit what the teacher wants. And then are upset she’s not properly appreciative.

Wrong again. I'm just tired of hearing how much all of this is unappreciated, when people are trying to do something nice. My kid is far from a snowflake, so you can save your BS accusations. You know exactly nothing in that regard. But, yes, when people aren't appreciative, I find that distasteful. How hard is it to just shut it and be grateful. Instead of coming on here and complaining that you don't like this or that? It doesn't matter if they say thank you to the child if it's disingenuous. And we now know that it is.

As far as what the teacher wants, we get a yearly "wish list" of likes/dislikes, just like a registry. They get something off that, usually a GC and something else they like. So, wrong again.

If the TEACHERS are so put out by all this, then they should go to the principal, their union, their PTA, etc. and demand that it stop. Get back to me if that happens. I'll wait .. .

I'm honestly not sure what you are talking about. The conversation was about things to do laid out by the PTA, not giving teachers gifts from their wish lists. It sounds like you do something totally different for your teachers, which is great but different than what was being discussed. It is not rude to go on an anonymous message board and give your honest feedback to a relevant conversation. You aren't exactly the picture of graciousness and kindness either.