The other mom is a room mom and most likely following the tradition of what happens during teacher appreciation week. I can relate, I'm a room mom for 2 of my kids this year, don't take it out on us, we are just doing what is expected of us and half the time the rest of the parenst totally ignore our requests (whether it be for $, materials and help) and the few room moms take it all on our own and all the kids and parents get the credit. We aren't trying to make things complicated for anyone, the kids actually love doing this stuff for their teacher
Not to rub people the wrong way, but some people are complaining about how the room mom and the PTA... have you ever been the room mom or in the PTA? Not always an easy job, many demands and a tiny budget. Yes, it seems like every time we turn around there is another fundraiser, but that $ doesn't go into the PTA's pocket, it goes to the kids. In my school one of the things the PTA funds is the field trips, so if the fundraisers are a bust then there are no field trips for the entire school that year. And as far as the room mom's Teacher Appreciation letter, she probably figured that was the quickest, easiest way to organize everybody. It is not easy to plan activities like Teacher Appreciation week by yourself, especially when the other parents don't respond to requests for assistance and donations.
Ok, I am done with my mini-rant now
whatever. I will show the teachers we appreciate how MUCH we appreciate them in our own way. I love planning parties and working in the classroom. I adore seeing the kids' faces light up with joy when they hand their teacher a token of appreciation (a note, a flower, the memory book) and I don't for one second begrudge the time and money that I put into being a room parent. Tone is hard to convey over the internet and I'm not scolding or chastising anyone. I am simply more than a little shocked by the responses here and genuinely curious how some of the pp's think the classroom activities are organized, because they don't just magically appear. How can anyone think that a room parent is doing anything wrong by sending emails and reminders? She (or he) is volunteering their time and financial resources to help your child and the school staff. I guess I'm having a lot of trouble understanding the thought process going on here.
A room mom here! We actually just had our "Staff Appreciation Day" today and I'm just going to say that I'm shocked by many of the responses.
At my kids' school, as room parents, we are told what to do by the PTA. We aren't choosing activities or trying to "one up" anyone. We are giving our time, many, many, many hours I might add, to create parties and activities for all of the children to enjoy. Honoring our teachers and staff is one of them. If a parent selects not to participate it is still on our shoulders to ensure that WE provide the flowers, notes, food items, etc, for every child to give to the teacher regardless of their parents' decision not to pay or donate. While you may find it a burden to send in a picture of your child, I'm just curious how you think the photographs get placed in the memory book or where the memory book came from, who paid for it or the supplies to make it? It's the room parent. We are not given the option to "opt out". While it might be a parent's decision not to donate a food item for a party it still needs to be provided. I have never had a parent say that their child won't be participating in the party or "please don't have them sign the gift card". They absolutely would blow a gasket if their child wasn't allowed to participate or sign their name even though they, as parents, chose "not to participate". Just something to think about when you decide not to participate, volunteer your time, or make a donation.
The truth? I really genuinely like to be a room parent.
