Class mom communicates with her law firm work email but forgets to inform teacher's birthday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

Plus 1

+1 I’ve never once seen this done.

I see this in all my kids private schools. I wonder if this is a public vs private school thing.

No, it’s not. Each school has its own culture, whether public or private. Our public elementary has very engaged parents. There’s a parent liaison who coordinates with all room parents. Each room parent receives communications they’re supposed to pass on to all class parents about grade-specific things. They also distribute a form to room parents for the teacher to fill out at the beginning of the year. It asks when their birthday is, and then asks all their favorites: restaurant, candy, dessert, lunch, stores where they shop, hobbies, things they collect, etc. Room parents then collect money from parents and use the form to celebrate the teacher’s birthday, holidays, teacher appreciation, end of year.

Being engaged in the kids' education and classroom activities has nothing to do with celebrating teachers' birthdays.

“Engaged” might not have been the most appropriate word. Is there a word that encompasses “so eager to support teachers in any way possible that they’ll go to great lengths”? Right before winter break, teachers are encouraged to bring the gifts they’re giving their family members in to the school and students’ parents wrap the gifts for the teachers to save them time.

WHAT??? There is just no way in the universe I can imagine parents wrapping presents for the teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

Yes, it is.

No. After 10 schools, 19 years with kids in school and being a room mom 4 times myself, never ever was the teacher's birthday celebrated. Not the norm.

Hmm I've been in 6 schools in 3 different states and they all did it. Some schools do, some don't. Why are some people insisting that their way is the only way? Maybe your information is out of date since your kids are older.

It’s OP who seems to be suggesting that this is standard.

Like PP, I have three kids who have gone to multiple schools and no they aren’t older. I have NEVER seen this nor would I find it appropriate to celebrate a teacher’s birthday, any more than it would be the role of the class parent to celebrate the principal’s birthday, or the janitor’s, or the office secretary’s. All of these are very important employees of the school but don’t need their birthdays acknowledged but the students.

This is definitely not standard. The school we're in now lists all teachers birthdays at the beginning of the year. That's it If you want to do something on your own you can. This is the first time I've ever even known what day the teacher's brithdays are (private school) We don't do anything for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

Plus 1

+1 I’ve never once seen this done.

I see this in all my kids private schools. I wonder if this is a public vs private school thing.

No, it’s not. Each school has its own culture, whether public or private. Our public elementary has very engaged parents. There’s a parent liaison who coordinates with all room parents. Each room parent receives communications they’re supposed to pass on to all class parents about grade-specific things. They also distribute a form to room parents for the teacher to fill out at the beginning of the year. It asks when their birthday is, and then asks all their favorites: restaurant, candy, dessert, lunch, stores where they shop, hobbies, things they collect, etc. Room parents then collect money from parents and use the form to celebrate the teacher’s birthday, holidays, teacher appreciation, end of year.

Being engaged in the kids' education and classroom activities has nothing to do with celebrating teachers' birthdays.

“Engaged” might not have been the most appropriate word. Is there a word that encompasses “so eager to support teachers in any way possible that they’ll go to great lengths”? Right before winter break, teachers are encouraged to bring the gifts they’re giving their family members in to the school and students’ parents wrap the gifts for the teachers to save them time.

WHAT??? There is just no way in the universe I can imagine parents wrapping presents for the teachers.

Yeah, that's absurd. Yes, teachers are important and it's good to show appreciation, but acting like their personal assistants is a bit much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

Plus 1

+1 I’ve never once seen this done.

I see this in all my kids private schools. I wonder if this is a public vs private school thing.

No, it’s not. Each school has its own culture, whether public or private. Our public elementary has very engaged parents. There’s a parent liaison who coordinates with all room parents. Each room parent receives communications they’re supposed to pass on to all class parents about grade-specific things. They also distribute a form to room parents for the teacher to fill out at the beginning of the year. It asks when their birthday is, and then asks all their favorites: restaurant, candy, dessert, lunch, stores where they shop, hobbies, things they collect, etc. Room parents then collect money from parents and use the form to celebrate the teacher’s birthday, holidays, teacher appreciation, end of year.

Being engaged in the kids' education and classroom activities has nothing to do with celebrating teachers' birthdays.

“Engaged” might not have been the most appropriate word. Is there a word that encompasses “so eager to support teachers in any way possible that they’ll go to great lengths”? Right before winter break, teachers are encouraged to bring the gifts they’re giving their family members in to the school and students’ parents wrap the gifts for the teachers to save them time.

WHAT??? There is just no way in the universe I can imagine parents wrapping presents for the teachers.

Is this for second graders in FCPS?

[Anonymous]

Being the class room parent is volunteering in and of itself. I'm not sure why she'd need to show up in person all the time if she's doing all the administrative work. I've been a room parent in MCPS where the PTA has guidelines on what room parents can and should do. Celebrating teacher birthdays is not done in our school.

As for the email signature, it's probably automatic. Its often the parents with busy but flexible jobs who still manage to volunteer.

[Anonymous]

I am surprised by the responses that people don’t celebrate teachers’ birthdays. I am room parent and I was told by the parents association to organize for teachers. So am busy getting cake and snacks and getting the class to write cards. So sucks for me I guess since it is actually a thing at my school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

2 kids, one in college, one a senior. Neither has ever celebrated a teachers birthday.

I am a teacher - I celebrate my birthday with coworkers, friends, and family. Not once have my students celebrated my birthday

You obviously got lucky.

Both my elementary and preschool kids are "helping" celebrate their teachers' birthdays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids are 17 and 12 and we've NEVER celebrated a teacher's birthday.

You're quite obviously jealous of the "partner at law" title, OP, and you don't even know that firms add titles like this and their employees don't have control over it.

How very stupid and nasty you are.

+1

+2. And you can't swing a cat without hitting a lawyer around here. This is not brag worthy, so I doubt the class mom is trying to brag or impress anyone. My DH's company bans gmail, etc. on his work computer...maybe it's similar for OP's firm, and she has to use her work email to send emails during the day.

I totally agree (and I am a law partner). OP must be a troll or not from the DMV.

[Anonymous]

I am a room parent who also doesn't get the teacher birthday thing. However, I am told that I must organize this.

I buy it all myself and send out an email offering parents the option to add to the basket if they want.
Two years and four classrooms in no parent has taken me up on the offer.

The teacher always feels awkward when the basket is received.

Maybe we should change this thread to start a petition to discontinue this "new tradition."

[Anonymous]

Okay, fess up: What schools actually celebrate teacher birthdays? Because I think this whole thing was started by a troll

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s not normal to celebrate the teacher’s birthday

Plus 1

+1 I’ve never once seen this done.

I see this in all my kids private schools. I wonder if this is a public vs private school thing.

No, it’s not. Each school has its own culture, whether public or private. Our public elementary has very engaged parents. There’s a parent liaison who coordinates with all room parents. Each room parent receives communications they’re supposed to pass on to all class parents about grade-specific things. They also distribute a form to room parents for the teacher to fill out at the beginning of the year. It asks when their birthday is, and then asks all their favorites: restaurant, candy, dessert, lunch, stores where they shop, hobbies, things they collect, etc. Room parents then collect money from parents and use the form to celebrate the teacher’s birthday, holidays, teacher appreciation, end of year.

Being engaged in the kids' education and classroom activities has nothing to do with celebrating teachers' birthdays.

“Engaged” might not have been the most appropriate word. Is there a word that encompasses “so eager to support teachers in any way possible that they’ll go to great lengths”? Right before winter break, teachers are encouraged to bring the gifts they’re giving their family members in to the school and students’ parents wrap the gifts for the teachers to save them time.

WHAT??? There is just no way in the universe I can imagine parents wrapping presents for the teachers.

I can’t imagine teachers wanting this. People are always looking to criticize teachers, can you imagine the judgement from this?

- Teachers apparently make plenty of money, look how many presents Mrs. X gives her kids.
- Did you see the watch she’s giving her husband? She can afford that but can’t afford to decorate her classroom better?
- She didn’t buy much for her husband. Do you think they’re having money problems or marital problems? Do you think they’re having marital problems because of the money problems?
- She really spoils her kids buying them that many presents.
- I can’t believe she buys her kids videogames and movies when everyone knows how bad screens are. Is she overusing screens in the classroom?

Moreover, as with any human endeavor with lots of people trying to keep up with lots of objects, it seems inevitable that at some point there will be a mixup of some kind. When a teacher’s Christmas present goes missing, are those supportive parents going to replace it?

I’m all for supporting teachers. I spent many, many hours supporting teachers. This doesn’t seem like support. This seems like a bunch of nosy busybodies with too much time on their hands creating a job that will keep them entertained and let them feel smug about how “helpful” they’re being. Not to mention it probably doesn’t provide much support to teachers who don’t exchange presents.

[Anonymous]

I’m another room parent-law firm partner- mom and I just want to show solidarity for the woman who is the target of OP’s post. (I only know it’s not me because I use gmail; my firm email labels too much as spam).

ANY parent volunteering their time for the benefit of the school and kids is doing a community service.

Busy people prefer different emails for different reasons. Maybe it’s how she organizes her life, or how she promotes her business for possible referrals.

Who cares? Again, she’s performing a service to help the school. That’s wonderful and she’s helping as she can.

Instead of criticizing, offer to help.

If you want to recognize the teacher’s birthday, offer to help or do it yourself.

Let’s lift each other up!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m another room parent-law firm partner- mom and I just want to show solidarity for the woman who is the target of OP’s post. (I only know it’s not me because I use gmail; my firm email labels too much as spam).

ANY parent volunteering their time for the benefit of the school and kids is doing a community service.

Busy people prefer different emails for different reasons. Maybe it’s how she organizes her life, or how she promotes her business for possible referrals.

Who cares? Again, she’s performing a service to help the school. That’s wonderful and she’s helping as she can.

Instead of criticizing, offer to help.

If you want to recognize the teacher’s birthday, offer to help or do it yourself.

Let’s lift each other up!

Bravo! Totally agree.
- Former room mom with law firm email (who knew that was triggering?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, fess up: What schools actually celebrate teacher birthdays? Because I think this whole thing was started by a troll

Only the schools with VERY ENGAGED parents. Sorry your school sucks. We are about our teachers. This is the norm and the correct way. It's very common.

To suggest otherwise makes you a dinosaur, unengaged parent, or one of the poors.

[Anonymous]

16:42 here. When I was a room mom (multiple times in multiple grades in a small private school) each grade was assigned a teacher and told that teacher's bday. We usually got them a $5 plant from Trader Joe's and that was that. Nothing big. Certainly no reason to email all the parents or for parents to take offense.