Anonymous wrote:Skip the crafts. Play musical chairs etc if that's still allowed.

I remember when there was ONE party and that was called “break-up party” because it was the last day of the school year, when you might not see some of those kids or be taught by that teacher again... and we played musical chairs and gave a dollar if you wanted a cup of soda and a cookie. And it was FUN!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do they need pizza?

Shouldn't you be planning within the money you have?

I find it cheaper to do pizza and a few other things then tons of random snacks. Kids will almost always eat the pizza (in less a food allergy). I do it as a way to cut down my costs.

It isn't working.

You need to plan with the money you have, not ask for more. You don't need "tons of random snacks" either.

Sounds to me like you don't budget very well.

I budget very well. Our school is very hit or miss on donations so depending on the class that year I fund it all. I can do a signup genius asking for things that are a dollar or two and at best 2-3 parents sign up. Other years we get tons, including the pizza. It started when one parent volunteered and asked to bring it. It is so much easier than lots of snacks.

Maybe some families are struggling and don’t feel it’s prudent to contribute to such non-essential nonsense. You do you.

Anonymous wrote:Not to come across as a complete curmudgeon, but why are room parents needed? This seems like a position in search of something to do.

So people like OP can feel important organizing expensive parties for a bunch of 8 year olds. Ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You do realize that this is not the only donation request parents are getting, right? We are asked to donate to the school fundraiser, pta, special programs, field trips, carnival, and donate our time to volunteer. Now multiply that by however many kids you have. Sometimes it just too much for one family so you choose to contribute here but not there. Maybe a parent decides not to give money for the parties but rather volunteers 3 days a week in the classroom. That person has given their share just the same and should feel fine about that.

I am a room parent as well and have no problem throwing a fun class party with only a few donated supplies and snacks. You just have to be resourceful and a little creative.

+100. Three kids. After giving the requested amount for all three, within weeks we hear from the PTA that they are trying to reach a different goals to support local X and Y charity and asks everyone for another $100, then there are the weekly emails asking for help with math/lunch room/reading, then the fundraisers, teacher requests for help with supplies/books (amazon wish lists)... Lot's of important and admirable efforts going on - but sometimes you can't afford them all. So as much I I wish all families contributed I get that for some its not so easy - and therefore I am fine with the classrooms right sizing their spending on things like parties.

I do not donate to the pta anymore as I do a lot for the classroom. You do not have to participate in all. I only do what helps our teacher or children.

Anonymous wrote:Because my kids have food allergies and can't eat the party food.

Because I generally think class parties are completely useless and a waste of time.

I don't recall having class parties as a kid (other than Valentine's boxes) and have no idea why every tiny thing has to be celebrated with a party and food.

I’m a class mom and we don’t have many parties but for some reason my son’s preschool teacher is obsessed with food and treats. One kid has a severe nut allergy. I have worked closely with the mom to make sure the classroom is safe for her kid and that he is not excluded from anything. We buy special cookies with class funds, I do research on ingredients and foods the teacher wants to use and text the mom the labels well in advance. Let your class mom know. Hopefully she’ll want to protect and include your kid as if it was her own.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, if people aren’t contributing for parties it’s because they don’t prioritize them. Just because you want them doesn’t mean everyone else has to subsidize your desires.

This. And where in the world are you getting pizza that it's $135?

And why in the world do kids need pizza at a party held midday? Just have a fruit or veggie tray, some pretzels or chips, &/or some cookies, brownies, or cupcakes.

^And by “midday”, I’m assuming it is not during the ckass’s lunch period & that the kids have had/will have lunch in the cafeteria before or after the party.

Our kids eat lunch at 10:30. Party is at the end of the day. Tell your kids not to eat the pizza. Problem solved. Ironically the parents who comment about it are the ones with kids who eat it and usually eat it themselves. It is cheaper and easier to get a few pizzas than a bunch of snacks and quicker to hand out.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, if people aren’t contributing for parties it’s because they don’t prioritize them. Just because you want them doesn’t mean everyone else has to subsidize your desires.

This. And where in the world are you getting pizza that it's $135?

And why in the world do kids need pizza at a party held midday? Just have a fruit or veggie tray, some pretzels or chips, &/or some cookies, brownies, or cupcakes.

^And by “midday”, I’m assuming it is not during the ckass’s lunch period & that the kids have had/will have lunch in the cafeteria before or after the party.

Anonymous wrote:You do realize that this is not the only donation request parents are getting, right? We are asked to donate to the school fundraiser, pta, special programs, field trips, carnival, and donate our time to volunteer. Now multiply that by however many kids you have. Sometimes it just too much for one family so you choose to contribute here but not there. Maybe a parent decides not to give money for the parties but rather volunteers 3 days a week in the classroom. That person has given their share just the same and should feel fine about that.

I am a room parent as well and have no problem throwing a fun class party with only a few donated supplies and snacks. You just have to be resourceful and a little creative.

+100. Three kids. After giving the requested amount for all three, within weeks we hear from the PTA that they are trying to reach a different goals to support local X and Y charity and asks everyone for another $100, then there are the weekly emails asking for help with math/lunch room/reading, then the fundraisers, teacher requests for help with supplies/books (amazon wish lists)... Lot's of important and admirable efforts going on - but sometimes you can't afford them all. So as much I I wish all families contributed I get that for some its not so easy - and therefore I am fine with the classrooms right sizing their spending on things like parties.

I think it depends on each room parent each year. My DSs kindergarten room parents used a sign up genius for parents to bring specific foods, plates, drinks and the like. That filled up quickly each time and worked well. This year, DSs first grade room parent asked people to send in a dollar or two for teh holiday party and she would buy everything for the party. That worked as well. His class had a special party associated with their language immersion study, the lead teacher asked for $1 from each kid. As for class gifts, the room parent asked people to donate what they were comfortable with.

We included more then we were asked for, a few dollars over each time, because we know that there are famiites that forget to send in money or might not have an extra dollar or two.

i would say that you are very enthusiastic in what you want to do but not everyone shares that enthusiasm or has the pockets that you do. Perhaps send out an email and ask people to chip in what they can.

Skip the crafts. Play musical chairs etc if that's still allowed.

Anonymous wrote:Class parties aren't a priority for everyone. One or two cheap parties per year is fine. There is no reason for pizza and multiple crafts.

Exactly. And, believe it or not, not everybody isn’t paying because they are cheap; some families really can’t afford these unnecessary expenses.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, if people aren’t contributing for parties it’s because they don’t prioritize them. Just because you want them doesn’t mean everyone else has to subsidize your desires.

This. And where in the world are you getting pizza that it's $135?

And why in the world do kids need pizza at a party held midday? Just have a fruit or veggie tray, some pretzels or chips, &/or some cookies, brownies, or cupcakes.

Class parties aren't a priority for everyone. One or two cheap parties per year is fine. There is no reason for pizza and multiple crafts.

Not to come across as a complete curmudgeon, but why are room parents needed? This seems like a position in search of something to do.