Class parties-what's your opinion??

[lisadr]

My DD is in 2nd grade and the teacher has given the class moms (me and 2 other lovely ladies) 1/2 hour to have an activity for Thanksgiving. But I have noticed that she doesn't want a party. I also have heard from other moms both in my DD school and other schools that the schools are not having parties.

Maybe it's me, but I don't understand what the big deal is. Why not let the kids have a party?? They work hard and a small class party is nice for them to look forward to. We always had them. And don't get me started on how PC everything has to be-No Halloween has to be a Harvest party, No Santa-has to be a winter theme, No Bunny has to be a spring theme-ugh! Enough!

So what's your opinion? Do you think that kids should have a party or not?

 

[daisyduck123]

I've been teaching 1st/2nd grade for 18 years & have never heard of classes having a "Thanksgiving party". Honestly, never. Our Kindergarten classes used to host a "feast" but even they have cut that out because it was just wayyyyy too much work.

Our county allows 2 parties per year, that's all, & my school chooses Halloween & Valentine's Day for our parties. I'm perfectly happy w/ our 2 party per year rule. I don't see a need for a Thanksgiving party.

 

[laughinplace199]

Could it be due to food allergies? If there are kids with allergies in the class, maybe the teacher is concerned about those kids being left out if they can't eat the treats? My DD has food allergies, but I always send in a safe snack for her to have during class parties.

 

[lisadr]

Could it be due to food allergies? If there are kids with allergies in the class, maybe the teacher is concerned about those kids being left out if they can't eat the treats? My DD has food allergies, but I always send in a safe snack for her to have during class parties.

No food allergies at all. I just don't understand why if the room moms are willing to do all the work-why not lets the kids have a little fun? These are 6/7 yo kids.

 

[design_mom]

Our school doesn't have a thanksgiving party either -- they do Halloween (harvest), Christmas (winter), Valentines day and end-of-year parties.

I think it would be really tough to a "party" in 1/2 hour. My son is also in second grade and it seems like 1/2 hour is about the right amount of time to do *one* activity -- snack *or* craft *or* game, but not more than one.

If the teacher only has 1/2 hour of class time to devote to it (I know my son's teacher is very strict about sticking to the schedule), then I can see why she would not allow a party. The parties at my son's school are usually at the end of the day and last for 1-1/2 hours.

 

[lisadr]

Our school doesn't have a thanksgiving party either -- they do Halloween (harvest), Christmas (winter), Valentines day and end-of-year parties.

I think it would be really tough to a "party" in 1/2 hour. My son is also in second grade and it seems like 1/2 hour is about the right amount of time to do *one* activity -- snack *or* craft *or* game, but not more than one.

If the teacher only has 1/2 hour of class time to devote to it (I know my son's teacher is very strict about sticking to the schedule), then I can see why she would not allow a party. The parties at my son's school are usually at the end of the day and last for 1-1/2 hours.

I think I might not be explaining myself well(not a first-lol). We were only given 1/2 for our harvest party as well and I think it's gonna be the same for xmas. It just seems to me like schools are slowly weeding out class parties in general. I guess it just makes me a little sad-kids are losing more and more of the stuff that makes being a kid so much fun. I get the teachers have schedules to stick to but I feel like we are turning our kids into little over scheduled adults and taking all the fun out of everything. I guess that's my problem

 

[The Disney Bunch]

I will be honest- why should there not be some sort of a Thanksgiving celerbation in school? It is the one holiday that just about ALL the religions celebrate because it is 100% AMERICAN! Our school cut out the Thanksgiving feasts for the older grades a few years ago & I just don't understand why. The kids enjoy having the parties & if the teacher doesn't have to do the work, why not?

 

[cheerforchelsea]

It seems to me that a Thanksgiving Party would be a time of learning. I remember one year each child brought something to go in their Thanksgiving Soup....It is possible to have a "party" and actually learn something.

 

[design_mom]

I think I might not be explaining myself well(not a first-lol). We were only given 1/2 for our harvest party as well and I think it's gonna be the same for xmas. It just seems to me like schools are slowly weeding out class parties in general.

Wow... that's unfortunate. I have not noticed a "weeding out of parties" from our school. They do four a year, plus an "enrichment day" and a "field day." I do think that it's important for the kids to have time to enjoy each other in a 'fun/friendship' sort of way in addition to academically.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

I totally agree with this. A Thanksgiving celebration in the classroom can be turned into a fun learning experience.

Our school system is also trying to cut down on the parties. They are practically non-exsistant after 4th grade. Our county's opposition is all centered around the whole non-nutritional aspect of having parties - at least that's the line we get from them. Personally, I don't really understand how having 3 or 4 parties per year is such a bad thing. It gives the kids something to look forward too, like a reward. As far as from a nutritional stand point, I totally understand wanting our kids to be more healthy, but even most nutritionists will say that a little bit of sweets is okay in moderation. Our lunchroom has totally been reformed and does a pretty good job of serving decent healthy lunch choices, but I just don't see anything wrong with the kids having a little treat a few times per year.

 

[NY_MOM]

The 2 kindergartens in DD school just had a thanksgiving feast. The parents and families were invited and the parents were aked to bring in something ie: food, dessert, drinks ect. It turned out quite nice, we had it in the cafeteria the food was set out buffet style, and the classes were brought in. The children sang two songs, and told us what they were thankful for...and then everyone was invited to eat. we spent about 1 1/2 hours there...and then the children were dismissed. It was really a nice understated event and enjoyed by all.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

My daughters 5th grade class is having a full feast. Donation are from parents - full turkey, mashed potatoes etc... the works!! I think it is a great idea for them to be able to celebrate and they are learning/reviewing the reason we celebrate Thankgiving...

I am a sub - currently in a 2nd grade class at another school. The PTA for this school is providing a FULL Thanksgiving lunch to the ENTIRE school on the last day prior to the holiday break. EVERY student will get turkey and the fixings too... Just another way to celebrate and say thank you to the teachers who teach the kids and have the kids think about Thanksgiving. In my class we are not having a party but we are doing lots of Thanksgiving activities and worksheets that are fun but also promote learning in a fun way about Thanksgiving...

For a 1/2 hour slot I would come up with a fun craft that would also allow them to learn a bit.......Good luck

 

[tink2]

This is my 12th year teaching second grade. We have never had a Thanksgiving 'party'. We've had 'feasts'- where we dress up like Pilgrims and Indians and several classes eat togther- but never a party. As a matter of fact, it is a rule at our school. We can only have 2 parties a year- a Christmas (or holiday) party and Valentines Day party. That is it. Not even Halloween. Over the years, I've seen more and more students who aren't allowed to celebrate certain holidays due to religious beliefs or whose parents don't want them to participate in the event- especially Halloween. If a student whose religious beliefs affect the Christmas party- it turns in to a holiday party and the teacher switches some things up.

 

[melancholywings]

It's sad that schools can't celebrate anything out of fear of offending someone else. The children should be encouraged to show compassion, curiosity and understanding for their fellow classmates even if that classmate believes in something different, they should have the opportunity to learn about those differences not be shielded from them.

 

[cruizie]

Our school district is pretty strict too - Winter Holiday and Valentine's Day parties only. We do have Field Day. For Thanksgiving, you could come in and have lunch w/ your child on a specific day last week. We did that but not every parent did. We get the same line about nutirition and they are pretty strict about what we serve at the party. I agree that Thanksgiving could be a very good time to have a party that does not require so much PC behavior.

 

[koolaidmoms]

Our school does not do "parties" but for Thanksgiving my DS's kindergarten class recreated a traditional feast of corn, potatoes, carrots, turkey and greens. My DD's 3rd grade class had a study in immigrants coming to this country and they each brought in a food representative of their country, dressed like an immigrant and had a little speech to give in front of the class.

I thought the last one was very different. Not your usual thanksgving ideas.

 

[lisadr]

It's sad that schools can't celebrate anything out of fear of offending someone else. The children should be encouraged to show compassion, curiosity and understanding for their fellow classmates even if that classmate believes in something different, they should have the opportunity to learn about those differences not be shielded from them.

VERY, VERY well said!!.

 

[debilovesmickey]

I agree with many of you. I have eliminated "parties" because we are not allowed to give the kids food for any reason( other than lunch or snack).
Our principal has a rule about no cupcakes for birthdays-- or carrot sticks for that matter, so I don't see the point of having a party.

For Halloween and at Christmas the room parent will provide crafts at a center and I run the other centers with "holiday" themed fun activities( bingo, crafts etc).

As a teacher I really miss using food to educate as in making simple recipes or using fun crackers ie goldfish for counting.
But I am not allowed to use food for anything.

I am being told allergies are the reason, but there are many safe foods .

It is very sad!

 

[C.Ann]

In the name of "PC", children today are basically being robbed of their childhoods.. Add the "media" pressure to that and it's no wonder that 5 and 6 year olds are now acting as though they are 15 and 16..

 

[lisadr]

In the name of "PC", children today are basically being robbed of their childhoods.. Add the "media" pressure to that and it's no wonder that 5 and 6 year olds are now acting as though they are 15 and 16..

I SO agree! I played with my Barbies until I was like 14 and my DD told me some 4th graders on the bus told her it was for babies . It really bothers me.