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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a pain collecting once for the money. No way do I want to collect multiple times per year.

Well, then you have your answer. People are not interested in contributing to group presents or big parties. You need to scale things back and adjust your expectations. I'm still shocked that your school is apparently the only one for which signup genius doesn't seem to work for parties. At my school, the signup genius slots are all snapped up within a day after posting, and the vast majority of the items are sent to the school on the party day. Have you even tried signup genius for party items?

[Anonymous]

I have been room mom many, many times for my kids.

Our school only collected for teacher gifts. Never heard of collecting to have a party.

All parties were potluck and parents would make amazing foods - some of them VERY labor intensive - or send in paper plates/cups etc. We never ever ever did not have enough food.

I would only collect for teacher gifts and make the parties pot luck, OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have been room mom many, many times for my kids.

Our school only collected for teacher gifts. Never heard of collecting to have a party.

All parties were potluck and parents would make amazing foods - some of them VERY labor intensive - or send in paper plates/cups etc. We never ever ever did not have enough food.

I would only collect for teacher gifts and make the parties pot luck, OP.

Also wanted to add - the kids were always super cognizant of who in the class had food allergies. No nuts, no strawberries - my kids would remind me every year when it was time to bring something - "jack can't eat strawberries and sarah can't eat nuts, mom, don't forget!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When your kid does a sport and they collect for the coaches’ gifts, doesnt the team “mom” (organizer) ask you to contribute x? Typically it’s about $20 per family and the coach gets a few hundred dollars, maybe to amazon or dicks. Do you do that?

If you decline the request because you want to give your own gift to the coach, why isn't that okay?

Because it’s never been done that way. There’s an end of season celebration and wrap up where the coach talks to everyone and rehashes the season. He or she is then presented with the group gift. Never have I seen someone walk up and separately hand a gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

[Anonymous]

I was uncomfortable with the $300 art gift and also with the $400 Visa and having to tip every single employee of the public school as set out by the PTA. Also the constant appreciation spreads were a pain and a waste of money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

There would be if you didn't spend it all on teacher gifts, which to be honest, are 'from' you, just funded by the class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

There would be if you didn't spend it all on teacher gifts, which to be honest, are 'from' you, just funded by the class. [/quo
Yes, exactly. I do this volunteering to make my kid look

[Anonymous]

I thought the way some of you do when I had kids in kinder and first. I couldn’t believe when the room parent asked for $40. Then I became a room parent and understood the process much more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have been room mom many, many times for my kids.

Our school only collected for teacher gifts. Never heard of collecting to have a party.

All parties were potluck and parents would make amazing foods - some of them VERY labor intensive - or send in paper plates/cups etc. We never ever ever did not have enough food.

I would only collect for teacher gifts and make the parties pot luck, OP.

Also wanted to add - the kids were always super cognizant of who in the class had food allergies. No nuts, no strawberries - my kids would remind me every year when it was time to bring something - "jack can't eat strawberries and sarah can't eat nuts, mom, don't forget!"

Our MCPS elementary school doesn't allow non-store bought snacks for class parties. Everything has to be labeled from the store, which I've seen the teacher check to make sure no contamination from nuts etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

There would be if you didn't spend it all on teacher gifts, which to be honest, are 'from' you, just funded by the class.

I go to lunch one day and have every child sign the card showing who it is from. I then take the gift and card and place it in the teacher’s box so no one person hands it to her. Meaning it doesn’t look like it’s from me or any specific person. You’ve got a real chip on your shoulder and have no idea what you’re taking about. I don’t have to do any of that (the cArd signing is a pain) but actually want it to look like it’s from the kids as a whole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

There would be if you didn't spend it all on teacher gifts, which to be honest, are 'from' you, just funded by the class.

If that's what you want to say to justify not giving, that's your opinion. Our teacher gifts are clearly from the class (gift card with picture frame signed by each kid, irrespective of whether their parents contributed). If parents want to give their own gifts to suck up they can do that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You all really, really should be room parents. Really. You understand it so much better.

And while I didn’t lay out every detail of the budget, no more is definitely spent on our kids: paper products, drinks, a vegetable or fruit and dessert. It is beyond me that you wouldn’t consider two classroom lunch parties for your elementary school aged kids. Because your job doesn’t allow gifts you think the teacher shouldn’t get them. I had no idea parents felt this way.

This is the person teaching your kid. If you can’t show a small token of appreciation - don’t. Now I get why people don’t contribute.

$4-500 is not a 'small token'.

If it equates to being about 6-7 dollars per family towards a gift for the teacher, it’s a small token.

$ 7 X 25 = 175

We get the math. We also assume most families will get the teacher a small item for the holidays, end of year and teacher appreciation week. Most people would spend $10-$15 for that item. This is less than that. Group gifts are typically more extravagant. I’m guessing you’d be good with 25 kids giving her a single mug and a single ornament.

I'd be better with 25 kids making a holiday craft, or having pencils/paper.

As a gift for the teacher? This is a fifth grade class. They generally don’t make holiday cards or if they do it’s quickly so they can socialize in fifth grade.

No, not for the teacher. Why would the teacher want 25 of the same craft?

Yeah, I used to do craft stations when the kids were younger but I stopped. Not enough funds.

There would be if you didn't spend it all on teacher gifts, which to be honest, are 'from' you, just funded by the class.

If that's what you want to say to justify not giving, that's your opinion. Our teacher gifts are clearly from the class (gift card with picture frame signed by each kid, irrespective of whether their parents contributed). If parents want to give their own gifts to suck up they can do that too.

A lot of people feel that the 'gifts' decided on by room parents are inappropriate. If you want to do separate collections, you might be surprised at how many more people would contribute to a 'class fund' that was actually for the class.

[Anonymous]

If you’re against class funds for group gifts, I’d love for you to send a note saying, we prefer to do our own gifts for ms crab, so we’d like to send in a small amount just for the class parties- you know, rather than just ignore me and do $0