Class fund non-participants: where do you think the party food comes from??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

So what do those kids normally do at 2:30? Does the teacher stop so they can have second lunch?

Exactly!

We are overfeeding and over-treating our kids! Parties do not need to be a thousand calorie experience to be fun, people!

[Anonymous]

Never been a room parent. Rarely contribute.

I love my kid. I just don't care about your email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

So what do those kids normally do at 2:30? Does the teacher stop so they can have second lunch?

Exactly!

We are overfeeding and over-treating our kids! Parties do not need to be a thousand calorie experience to be fun, people!

I don't get the complain about over feeding and over treating kids when parties are a few times a year. How much are you feeding your kids crap at home if you are concerned about a few parties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

I would say she gets an opinion to the extent the room mom is excoriating her for not contributing the funds needed for an extravagant, as OP appears to have done. To the extent someone has a problem with these more lavish events where others are happy to do the work/provide the funds, I would agree with you.

[Anonymous]

You get to have an opinion because your child is involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was often the room parent when my kids were in lower grades and I used to send out emails at the beginning of the year detailing what activities, parties, food, teacher's gift we would have for the entire year. I met with the teacher to draw out the plans (usually duplicating what was done in the previous years), and send an email and a signup genius link to all parents. An email was sent every week for the first 6 weeks, listing the names of all the people who had contributed. Within the first couple of weeks, all parents used to sent in their fixed $ contribution. We usually had a set number of celebrations, some activities and holiday teacher's gift. We relied on some parents to make a costco run for the parties.

I did not want to run after people to get money from them, so I made sure that all the funds were collected during the first few weeks of school. I sent emails every week for the first few weeks listing the names of people who contributed and those who still had to. It was easy to write the reminder emails at the beginning of the year.

OP, being a room parent is a responsibility not a popularity contest. You need to be blunt and make sure that everyone contributes at least a minimum agreed upon amount. If people want to contribute more it is up to them, but the fixed amount contribution is mandatory.

How exactly was this mandatory minimum amount "agreed upon?" Did you take a survey of the class? Did every parent say that $X was ok with them?

I highly doubt that. I imagine that you, or you and the other room parents "agreed" upon the minimum amount and then tried to dictate that to the rest of the parents. Sorry, honey that ain't an agreed upon amount and no one has an obligation to accede to your demands. And your public shaming is disgusting and I would do everything in my power to make sure you could never be a room parent again.

We donate and contribute to our kids' classrooms, but if I saw a room parent sending out emails with the names of families who had not contributed, I would raise a huge stink. I'd probably take it to the principal. These donations are not mandatory, no matter what you say. It's a public school and you don't have to pay to attend.

+1. Work with the funds you have. If that means a party with pretzels and mini cupcakes served on paper towel (10$ total) then great. The only time I’ve ever heard parenrs complain was when the room parent was a hot mess and failed to invite most of the parents to one of the class parties. Otherwise people don’t much care.

But did your parents show up every time you ate a cupcake at school? I'm not even sure why all the parents need to be there. Maybe two or three to help with logistics, but I don't see why I have to take off yet another day from work to watch my kid eat cake. Agree that it's some weird Pinteresty mom thing dreamed up to fill up the empty hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

So what do those kids normally do at 2:30? Does the teacher stop so they can have second lunch?

Exactly!

We are overfeeding and over-treating our kids! Parties do not need to be a thousand calorie experience to be fun, people!

I don't get the complain about over feeding and over treating kids when parties are a few times a year. How much are you feeding your kids crap at home if you are concerned about a few parties?

You are super annoying. No one but you cares about these parties. They are wasteful and stupid. Move on. Life is short. Focus on something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

Too many people are obese. We shouldn’t contribute to it. Kids don’t need a second lunch. Ever. Move on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

Hi there. I'm the person you are responding to. I have contributed cash and/or specific items each and every time requested at our school. I'm a member of the PTA. I also volunteer numerous hours each semester. So yeah, I get a say.

And again, some more, no one is questioning a snack. We are asking why it needs to be a pizza *meal.* Do you get it?

Answer the question: Why do they need a MEAL when they have already had LUNCH?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

Too many people are obese. We shouldn’t contribute to it. Kids don’t need a second lunch. Ever. Move on.

So, you never give your kids any sweets, food after school, pizza and never have parties for your kids with food? Wow, you are a pretty nasty person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Never been a room parent. Rarely contribute.

I love my kid. I just don't care about your email.

Your kid knows you don't care when you are one of the few parents who don't come and they are looking really sad knowing you don't care even if you love your child. Not to worry, the rest of us will pick up the slack and they will know they can count on us at school and field trips as you are the parent who will never be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Never been a room parent. Rarely contribute.

I love my kid. I just don't care about your email.

Your kid knows you don't care when you are one of the few parents who don't come and they are looking really sad knowing you don't care even if you love your child. Not to worry, the rest of us will pick up the slack and they will know they can count on us at school and field trips as you are the parent who will never be there.

Please. I am a room mom, but this is total horse $hit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

How is pizza ever going to be cheaper than asking people to bring in cheese sticks and fruit OR pretzels and fruit? It's not.

You can’t have those snack items for kids in 5th-6th grade. Some of these kids are adult sized. You need some kind of a meal.

What are you talking about? WHY? Let's say the party is at 2:30. Lunch was served in the cafeteria at around 12, yes? Why do they need a MEAL?

Lunch is 10:15 at our school.

OK, and? So the majority of days, they go 10:15-end of day without another meal. And a party somehow requires a full meal because PARTY? How does this work, exactly. Why do they "need" pizza on a party day? Why can't it just be cheese and crackers and mini-cupcakes or some such?

If you are not paying for it, helping or contributing then you get no opinion. Why is it an issue having a nice party a few times a year? When you have parties for your kids are you one of those cheap parents who doesn't provide anything, including cake for the kids? I don't get the hate about having a snack a few times a year.

I would say she gets an opinion to the extent the room mom is excoriating her for not contributing the funds needed for an extravagant, as OP appears to have done. To the extent someone has a problem with these more lavish events where others are happy to do the work/provide the funds, I would agree with you.

OP is probably a first time room mom who got no guidance from the teacher or school and did the best she could and completely overspent/didn't think it through. She goofed. She should have come on and asked how to do a lavish party on a budget but that is hindsight as you can easily do a great party if you plan and if you are a room parent year to year, you shop end of year clearances and other times to pick up the basics cheaply or dollar tree. If you check different pizza sites you can get $5-6 pizza specials. And, watch food prices to pick up snacks and veggies. However, at least she tried, unlike many other parents.

What most consider lavish may not be that lavish as some of us can do the focus on nice food as after a few years you can reuse the decorations and other stuff from years/parties before.

[Anonymous]

wow, nasty mommy shaming!

Not coming to a field trip doesn't mean you don't love your child. I could as easily say that you don't love your child enough to get a job and pay for his college. He will be sad when he has to go to a crappy state school because you didn't love him enough to work hard and earn money.

See how dumb that sounds? We all love our children. There's not only one way to love your child.