Does your school limit the number of parent volunteers at school parties?
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Anonymous
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Our new principal implemented a new policy: only 3 parent volunteers are allowed at the Halloween and Valentine's Day parties. Typically these parties involved most parents who contributed to the party supplies, helped set up/run/clean up, etc.
Apparently this was announced to PTA members who seemingly quickly signed up to be room parents and pulled in their buddies, effectively excluding any other parent volunteers. How is this handled at your school? |
Anonymous
| 2 volunteers per class. There really isn’t room or need for more than that. |
Anonymous
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My child's public elementary school parties were filled with moms. The teacher obviously thought this was preferable to allowing volunteers on any other days. Most volunteers are more trouble than help.
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Anonymous
| Why were there so many parents at the parties? Surely two or three parents can run a party. |
Anonymous
Most parents can't volunteer regularly throughout the year, but they can show up on Halloween and Valentine's Day...when your kid wants it/expects it. |
Anonymous
It's preceded by a Halloween parade at 2:30, and then parents would typically go into the party to help out. It's at the end of the day, so there isn't enough time to go home. |
Anonymous
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Jeez.
I am not a huge fan of our principal, but at least she does not micromanage the parties. |
Anonymous
+1 Ridiculous. Let the teachers decide what works and what they need. We're at a Focus school anyway, so it's tough to even get parent volunteers a lot of times. But, no limit to the number allowed for school parties. |
Anonymous
You’re lucky your kid’s school still has a Halloween party. |
Anonymous
| At our W elementary parents are welcome to all parties. Room parents decide on the number of volunteers. |
Anonymous
I'm the room parent and I don't care how many volunteers come to the parties. But DO SOMETHING. Even if it doesn't involve your own child. Help unload the cars. Help carry. Help set up. Spread out the paper tablecloths. Put out the paper plates. Insert the juice box straws. Help the children with the craft. Read a story to those that don't want to participate. Help clean up. Pick up the trash and put it in the trash can. Help the children gather their crafts from the party and put them in their backpacks. Hand a child a wet napkin to wipe the frosting off their face. It is not volunteering when you stand in the back and watch everyone else work. It is not volunteering when you only want to take pictures of your child at the event. I welcome the help. But please HELP. |
Anonymous
Everyone at our school tends to jump in and help. Plus, parents help kids change out of their costumes and make sure all the pieces make it back home for trick or treating that night. |
Anonymous
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I am a parent at said school, and I welcome this change. The parties at our school have gotten out of hand and per the new Principal this really happening for security reasons. MCPS needs to account for all parents, staff and children in the school especially if something happens. what is nice, is she addressed the "room parent" sign up to say you may not use the same volunteers for both parties, and parents may participate in the parade; plus next year it will electronic and sent out to the masses and not be were "veteran" families get first dibs.
Also, a PP is correct; it kills me to no end to plan and run these types of things for parents to volunteer and do NOTHING! We should appreciate and support our school because unfortunately it is not about us but the children. |
Anonymous
| sorry for typos. |
Anonymous
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Practically speaking, how will this work?
Parents will just stand outside the building after the parade waiting for pick up? How can it be for security reasons if the parade will continue to include all parents and is held outside? |