Comments on Suburban Matron: I Are Room Mom Now: Part Deux

A few years ago I asked one little question about ...

2008-09-21T19:14:00.000-04:00

A few years ago I asked one little question about what the PTA Presidents duties were. Yup, got suckered into doing it. TWO years in a row.

Our teacher apprec lunches were always themed. Like an italian theme....all pasta dishes (kids dressed up in black/white and served their teachers. Also a 'fiesta' theme and 'teachers of the world' theme (pot luck of various ethnicities)

It was like having a full time job. Now I dedicate my time to my 3 teens. If I make it through this, I can make it through anything! lol.

Thanks for stopping by, Thursday!

2008-09-15T15:31:00.000-04:00

Thanks for stopping by, Thursday!

I think that teacher appreciation goes a long way....

2008-09-14T11:14:00.000-04:00

I think that teacher appreciation goes a long way. When I taught high school English, the PTO gave us a lovely brunch each spring. I think you are doing a world of good by being a "Room Mom."

That is exactly how Teacher Appreciation Week goes...

2008-09-13T23:19:00.000-04:00

That is exactly how Teacher Appreciation Week goes here too, Brenda, to the letter: flowers one day, then homemade cards, then stationery day, etc, and a different parent brings the teacher lunch each day. I will say that it IS like, not a hassle, but every day of these special weeks is another item on the big mama to-do list. This is really its own post, but does your school do these weeks where, like, Monday is red shirt day 'cause they're talking about fire safety, then Tuesday is Hawaiian shirt day for safe internet surfing, then Wednesday is yellow shirt day for road safety, and on and on. It's like Roy G. Biv Elementary School.

And the money and gifts: Dudes, I know. I'm kind of conflicted about it, or I'm of two minds (is that the same as conflicted?) I was unsure about this going in. I don't like it if parents are made to feel pressure to donate, even if nobody knows but the room mom. As I was saying, the no-cash way really seems kind of streamlined, in addition to its lessened ick factor. And a classroom party shouldn't cost very much, because it should be kept simple as heck. I'm definitely going to see to that this year.

BUT, the last two years, Laura's class has given the teacher a $100 giftcard to Target in December, and then another giftcard (to Ann Taylor both times, LOL) in the spring. And the teacher is thrilled. And she doesn't have the truckload of rickrack to deal with. Then it seems nice, and frankly, when the end of the year rolls around, which is always a crazy time, I am perfectly happy that the party coordinators are going to go get a giftcard to be from the class. Because it's one less thing to think about.

And (will this comment never end), on the "participation levy", Amy, they actually discussed this at the room mom meeting--that some parents see it as "convenient" that they can write a check to support these activities that they can't or don't want to show up for. I don't judge it at all--I think it's fine that there's a mix of people with different interests. Different strokes, I guess. As for me, I wouldn't take anything in exchange for the fun of going in and reading to the class, even if I have to make arrangments for Hank.

You know, maybe what I don't like about the collecting $$ thing, and maybe this is what you mean too Carrie, is that it does seem like a levy--like it takes something that is maybe a spontaneous outpouring, the desire to give a gift, and institutionalizes it, as you said. But I wouldn't say no to a $100 to spend at Target either. Sigh.

Brenda, sometimes I get dreamy when you describe your school district. I miss hippies. What is the opposite of a hippie? 'Cause that's what we've got here.

And Amy, of COURSE I will reform the whole way this works this year, and change hearts and minds, duh!

I hear both of ya! Bren, that is a great idea abou...

2008-09-13T18:01:00.000-04:00

I hear both of ya! Bren, that is a great idea about the Appreciation Week--something different each day is really a fun idea and I'm sure the teachers love it. I'm thinking though that some parents would see it as more of a hassle, unfortunately, and would rather just write a check. (if they can, that is.) Ava's only in preschool and I've already noticed that--parents would rather pay a "participation levy" than show up to volunteer as a helper. I ain't judging, some of them work, but I just think it's interesting.

And Carrie, I agree that it's a bit out of hand. We always took gifts for the teacher and I'm sure most of it got thrown away. I guess that's where the whole gift card idea came from??

Beck, maybe you could reform the process! Cause I'm sure that wouldn't take much time or effort. ;)

My kids are not in public school yet, but may I sa...

2008-09-13T13:45:00.000-04:00

My kids are not in public school yet, but may I say that I am disturbed with the whole concept of teacher gifts as a seemingly required institution. I never remember giving my teachers any gifts as a child, except in rare circumstances. If I was a teacher I certainly woudln't want to receive a truckload of rickrack every year. I understand that teachers aren't the highest paid, and that many spend out of pocket for supplies, but is the answer to these problems giving them gifts? I don't get it and I don't like it.

And if I am going to end up giving my kids' teachers gifts every year, I DEFINITELY would want that to be up to us and not be solicited for cash. Cause you know that

a) my kids would be actively involved in creating such gifts and

b) they would be low cost or free to put together

I think our whole town is a "no cash" town. Exce...

2008-09-13T13:34:00.000-04:00

I think our whole town is a "no cash" town. Except maybe the schmancy private school 'over there', and we really don't hold truck with them. But as a sort of hippie University town, the very idea of collecting cash seems primitive. Personally, I am offended when I'm expected to donate money for some gift that someone else picks out. I have no problem sending snacks that I made or bought in my own bargain-hunting or when the teacher has a "wish tree" with needed items and you can go pick a 'leaf' with band-aids or crayons written on it and provide that. No-one knows what I paid for them (probably not much). Plenty of parents here have no income as they're working on degrees or running a non-profit or living in a commune.

We have a "teacher appreciation week" where we got a letter that explained what we would do each day. Monday everyone takes flowers (Gary took the entire 5-foot-tall sunflower we had - some people had professional arrangements, and some potted plants) the next day was a letter or drawing, one day the parents had arranged a brunch/lunch thing to be set out in the break room, and Friday each teacher got a basket filled with donated 'luxury' things. Chocolate bars, $100 gift cards to a spa, and everything in between, that had been collected during the week at the front office. You could take one thing or nothing and no one would know. The baskets were set out and you just put it in the appropriate one.

I do not envy you, but I do admire you. I totally use my little man-friend as an excuse to not get very involved except to send snacks every other week or so.

Wow. Great summary, Beck! Look at you--the Room Mo...

2008-09-13T08:01:00.000-04:00

Wow. Great summary, Beck! Look at you--the Room Mom Matron already. :) I think it's a really good thing you roped someone in to help you...like you said, it's definitely do-able, but there's still lots to take care of!

On another note, these modern times we live in has brought changes to teacher gifts! I'm sure from the teacher's perspective, that is a really, REALLY good thing. I guess I just remember with some fondness the days that Mom (a veteran teacher, readers!) would bring home her box of Christmas gifts or end-of-year stuff...we'd have fun looking over all the random stuff she got. Remember the pinecone at Christmas?

Anyhoo, you go, girl! Whip those parents into shape!