I think participation in these activities should be voluntary only. Some teachers wouldn’t mind. Others, like me, find it degrading. I don’t even enjoy putting on a Halloween costume as I’m a full grown adult and it’s just not my thing. But I do make that concession to be fun. I find the teachers or aides who were animal ears or silly headbands around to be odd. I feel as though teaching and nurturing children is a huge responsibility that should be undertaken by our best and brightest. I’m not in it to throw holiday parties or, call me a stick in the mud, but with me, your child will be respected as an individual, pushed to think more deeply and broadly, and listened to with genuine interest and compassion.

My principal dressed up as a shark and let our fall parade today. The kids and teachers love him and it’s something he likes to do. I don’t like to dress up but the kids love me too. If it’s their choice, go for it.

Anonymous wrote:Getting a pie in the face or being dunked into water do not sound fun to me. If teachers want to do it, fine, but I don't think it should be required or even, strongly encouraged.

They aren’t fun. Generally there is an expectation/requirement that all staff participate in these events in some way, whether taking tickets or being pied. I have never been forced to do something physically uncomfortable, but I have been told I must participate in a silly event outside of hours or use leave.

Getting a pie in the face or being dunked into water do not sound fun to me. If teachers want to do it, fine, but I don't think it should be required or even, strongly encouraged.

I don’t mind them during the school day. It cheapens the profession when I’m supposed to be pied in the face at 7:30 pm on a Friday at a basketball game, but am not compensated for my time.

Anonymous wrote:I actually thinks those are fun and fine- for special occasions, if the teacher/principal agree and ok with it.

But I do think teachers wearing leggings, hooded sweatshirts, and other frumpy lounge clothes to work cheapens the profession.

I disagree. There are so many casual offices now. I know an architect who has gone to work recently in sweatpants. I don’t see that as cheapening his profession.

To answer the question - no, those fun events don’t cheapen teaching to me.

I actually thinks those are fun and fine- for special occasions, if the teacher/principal agree and ok with it.

But I do think teachers wearing leggings, hooded sweatshirts, and other frumpy lounge clothes to work cheapens the profession.

Our head of school doesn't do goofy things, but she is front and center at every fun event doing whatever the worst job is- like if there is a sticky ice cream scooping station or a hot dog bun station at the family picnic, she'll be scooping the sticky ice cream. I think that kind of behavior speaks more loudly than doing something silly.

I don’t feel it cheapen or weakens the profession to have these type of events. However the motivation behind some of them does cheapen the profession and place to a degree. For me the problem is that we treat schools as the dumping ground for all the ills of society as though the can solve and right the ship. Schools should have the specific those and focus of helping to grow great people through mind and heart. All the other things we keep asking them to do is getting in the way.

Some of these events aren't the cause, but the response to the cheapening of the profession. In this NPR story, the event is to promote school attendance.

Study finds the school absenteeism rate is double what it was before COVID https://www.npr.org/2023/10/10/1204800597/study-finds-the-school-absenteeism-rate-is-double-what-it-was-before-covid

"GRANT BLANKENSHIP, BYLINE: It's the first cool day of fall in Macon, Ga., and Principal Kizzie Lott is in a floppy green poncho and baby blue rubber boots...

(SOUNDBITE OF CHILDREN GIGGLING)

BLANKENSHIP: ...So students can dump water on her head.

KIZZIE LOTT: Let's get your bucket.

BLANKENSHIP: You only get a bucket if you've been regularly coming to school. And by now, Lott is wet.

LOTT: You ready? The poncho does nothing.

BLANKENSHIP: This is fun. But in truth, it's a kind of soft diplomacy. There's a message Lott needs these kids to take home today to their grown-ups and their friends who missed school."

Interesting viewpoints! Anyone on the other side? Maybe a teacher's thoughts?

They were generally associated with some sort of fundraising event at DD's ES, so the intent is to help the students. The kids love these, and it motivates them, which is a good thing.

What? No. Paying them badly cheapens the profession. Unfunded mandates cheapen the profession.

But Letting them blow off steam and act like humans for a day doesn’t mean less respect. Corporate CEOs do it. Professional athlete we do it.

I like the fun events where the principal participates as an equal. In our school, it's the basketball challenge, a cardboard boat regatta, the Homecoming parade and stuff like that.

Do you feel that school "fun events" where the principal is getting pied in the face, wearing pajamas and teachers getting dunked into a tank sort of cheapen the education profession?

Or do you feel that these type of activities make school more "fun" and "community" centered for families?

I can see both sides but because I'm in my 40's, I was raised differently. Different, not better.

Thoughts?