How many "end of school" obligations do you have as a parent?

[Anonymous]

Venturing out of the daycare world and into the charter world next year, and it seems like my friends with kids have been at school every day for the last four weeks. If I have to plan out my leave in advance (or at least save some), what am I looking at between field day, science fair, etc? And do most parents attend these things (i.e., will my child be the one crying in the corner because their parent couldn't make it?)

[Anonymous]

It varies a lot by school.

My DH and I tried to take turns going to things so all were covered - probably 3-4 events over course of entire school year. Our school really didn't want the kids to interact with parents at them and the audience was big, so kids may not actually know whether their parent was there.

[Anonymous]

I went to the picnics for each of my kids. Not field day (it wasn't a spectator event).

Went to Boy Scout banquet too but not really school related and it was a Sunday so not a work thing.

Either my DH or I try to go if it is a real parent even everyone shows up for. But I ask experienced mom friends at the school which events are heavily attended (and not the room mom kind of friends, the reasonably laid back ones like me). I don't go if only the volunteer regulars are really the only ones going for the most part.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the school and the grade.

My daughter started school in PK3.

The first three years, there was a Mother's and Father's Day event, an end of year party, and a field trip. They also had Thanksgiving potluck and a "Holiday" (Christmas) play during the year.

She's in first grade now. They cut the Mother's/Father's Day stuff and just had an end of year party and field trip. There was one Christmas program during the year.

I'm a teacher, so I only get four personal leave days a year and eight sick days. I burned through all of my leave during the first few years. This is the first year I've ended the school year with a positive leave balance.

[Anonymous]

Too many things - and heaven help you if you have kids at different schools.

I wish schools would schedule at least some of these things in the morning - it is so much easier for me to come in at 10am rather than leave at 3 or 4pm.

[Anonymous]

1st grade ... end of year events included: poetry event, field day, learning showcase. Two weeks ago we also had a field trip and a parent-teacher conference. Oh, one professional development day thrown into the mix as well.

[Anonymous]

End of year French performance, International Day, and field trip next week. The following week there's Field Day (spouse is volunteering) and a last day of school classroom activity that parents are invited to.

I will only make the last day of school activity, unfortunately--can't take time off from work the other days.

[Anonymous]

A ton! #thatisall

[Anonymous]

Probably 4-5 events over the course of the year. I like to chaperone one field trip (there are several over the course of the year), and there are a couple of showcase/performance events. My husband and I usually split them, and sometimes I can telework on the same day which minimizes time away from work.

[Anonymous]

Way too many grouped together at the end of the year. I wish they were more spaced out. I like them more when they are right at drop off or pick up time rather than smack in the middle of the day.

[Anonymous]

From mid-May to mid-June:

4 performances/class events - two at 9:00 am, two at 4:00 pm.
2 after-hours events at 6:00 pm (childcare provided)
2 Saturday events

The events during school hours are the ones I feel obligated to go to so I take off time from work (using annual leave) to attend those. The after hours and weekend things are totally optional, of course -- school auction, field day/end of year picnic, PTA meeting, etc. I don't always go to these but this year I have for some reason which is why I'm feeling about now that I spend as much time at school as work

And I only have one kid! More kids = more performances/events to attend during school hours.

[Anonymous]

Don't forget, the last day of school is usually a half-day, too.

[Anonymous]

yeah, OP, just plan for three intense times of the year: beginning of the school year (back to school nights, orientations, get-togethers for parents, etc.); holidays (concerts, vacation days, performances, etc.); end of year (field days, half days, concerts/performances). Also add in professional days for the teachers and also parent/teacher conferences. Plan now for using most of your vacation days in this way. That sucks but it's cheaper than private school.

[Anonymous]

A million

Field day
PTO meetings
Art presentations
P/T conferences

etc.

[Anonymous]

DCPS. First grade.

We have field day and I think some kind of end of the year party. I haven't heard about the party and field day is in a week or so. There are a few PD days that are coming up still, I think, but not anywhere near as bad as the earlier part of spring semester when the kids basically were not in school a full week until April.