Room parents

[Anonymous]

Hi. I just received a list of "wants" from my teachers in terms of what was expected of me. Have to say..I am shocked. I am leery to say too much as I worry I will be identified but wonder if anyone else found themselves dealing with teachers who are basically asking to do things that are beyond scope of what you feel is okay. Keep in mind that I have to be pc since I need reccomendations for our next school from these same teachers. I am sooo annoyed..guess I am just venting.

[Anonymous]

You're going to have to give an example for us to give an accurate opinion. Organizing class parties, teacher appreciation week, sending out class notices, asking for class donations are all normal.

[Anonymous]

This is above that. So imagine I am doing that plus having to purchase some things for class once a week plus other duties. It's a lot. I considered resigning from this job but feel like I would get a bad rep at school for doing so. And there are those pesky references. I guess I am trying to make peace with this but I am angry..sorry for vent maybe it's that time of year.

[Anonymous]

I'm not a current room parent but probably will be this coming year. I'm also a former teacher.

Is it possible that this list, which I assume says stuff like "provide morning snacks" and the like, is intended to be a list of tasks for you to coordinate and organize? Not necessarily DO and BUY all yourself? But rather, be in touch with other parents who may pitch in regularly. Kind of like a team leader/coordinator...not sole person responsible?

[Anonymous]

I wish but no. As for snacks..when you are paying so much for tuition, I think snacks should be covered other than special occasions and bdays. It isn't expense..it's just the added thing to your list on top of an already long list.

[Anonymous]

It's tough to comment when we have no idea what they're asking of you.

[Anonymous]

Can parents post what they were asked to do when they were room parents?

[Anonymous]

That would be helpful. I am now wondering if this is why it's hard to find room parents after you have been to school format few years. What I thought..keeping on top of parents for trip volunteers, organizing class helpers, teacher's gift, school communication to parents as needed, special event parties in class. That's what I assumed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That would be helpful. I am now wondering if this is why it's hard to find room parents after you have been to school format few years. What I thought..keeping on top of parents for trip volunteers, organizing class helpers, teacher's gift, school communication to parents as needed, special event parties in class. That's what I assumed.

Yep---that's what I assumed as well when I agreed to do it last year. Little did I know that I'd be taking on the equivalent of a part-time job (and I already work full-time). I was absolutely elated when the last day of school rolled around last year because it meant my room parent prison sentence was over. Never again.

[Anonymous]

It is a bummer..kind of makes me feel negatively for the teachers..lazy. I actually talked to a friend of mine and showed the list. She teaches in public school and said her principal would hit the roof if she tried to pass all this stuff off. I will not offer again to do this job..I will offer to help in another capacity.

[Anonymous]

i would create a sign up and see if other moms can help. one past teacher wanted parents to do all the photocopying. so here are a bunch of dr.s and lawyers coming in on their days off to make copies. but at least it spread it around.

[Anonymous]

I think that is silly. I think the take home is that someone who oversees room parents or school administrator who looks on dcum should do an inventory with teachers and if they are asking parents to spend money on a regular basis In The classroom or perform duties that should be part of their job and yes photocopy is not a parents job..they should reign this in. In the end, it angers the parents who are asked to do this..to the point that you don't want to volunteer.

[Anonymous]

@OP, teacher here. My experience with room parents is that they often verbalize that they want to be involved a lot. Sometimes we (teachers) make lists of a number of ways that the parents can be involved with that supports the children and classroom activities. If you are feeling overwhelmed, please tell him/her. I may have had a few room parents who have shared your sentiments, but if they did they never shared it with me. If a parents expressed that, I would not have any negative feelings toward them in anyway. Also, see if you can get other parents involved, too. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your candor..I wish I was more brave but am so worried about getting reccomendations (it is one of those years). The reality for every teacher like you..there are more that get mad and take it out. It's so competive for upper schools..freaks me out.

[Anonymous]

Explain to the teacher that your schedule does not permit you to do everything. If you're stressed by this, your kid is going to know about it.

The teacher is overstepping her boundaries. Your nicely stepping away from a few of the responsibilities should in no way affect your child's recommendation -- that is not at all acceptable. If it will, then I'd take a long, hard look at what kind of place (and what kind of people) my child would be surrounded by - no matter how "elite" the institution.