Classroom parent $$

[java]

To clarify a touch-
The parties are ones that the PTA assigns per grade- so we have the Brunch, an ice cream party and then a year end pizza party. The pizza's are bought from a local place and each class has to chip in $40 for that alone.

The PTA suggests asking for $20 a person. I thought that was too high so went with $15.

I offered donations of food just email me- included my email asked them to return the bottom with theirs so I could be in touch.
Nope nothing

But now I will add I don't think all the kids bring stuff home. So an email would be much much easier and I think I will follow up with that after the holidays. I am hoping that maybe people just didn't get the notes.

It's not just my class either- I spoke with another parent who hasn't gotten any money.

Now I am all for BUDGET so I can pull off a cheaper version of everything. I just think it's unfortunate that people assume that someone else will pay for what their kids are getting.

I planned on keeping a detailed spreadsheet as to what I bought for what party so they could see where the money went. Now I may just send it out at the end of the year thanking the ONE parent that sent money in to help me foot the bill. Ok I won't do that but I can dream can't I?

 

[sk!mom]

Around here they don't have class parties or room parents after Elementary (5th grade) but in your position, I would call all parents who didn't send $ and tell (not ask) them what I needed them to provide for the party. It should be pretty easy for such a small class. I'd use $10 of the $30 for plates, napkins, and soda since you can't very well have a party without those things and then the refreshments would be whatever parents came through and brought. That should be 10 people to send cookies, chips, dip, fruit trays, etc... Even if a few don't come through you should have something to eat. My attitude on that is always if they don't send and all we have is cookies then I guess the parents thought that was plenty but I'm a teacher and I've never not had more than enough food even with the most uninvolved parents.

As far as entertainment, for kids that age I'd just play music, and let them eat and visit.

 

[sk!mom]

To clarify a touch-
The parties are ones that the PTA assigns per grade- so we have the Brunch, an ice cream party and then a year end pizza party. The pizza's are bought from a local place and each class has to chip in $40 for that alone.

The PTA suggests asking for $20 a person. I thought that was too high so went with $15.

I offered donations of food just email me- included my email asked them to return the bottom with theirs so I could be in touch.
Nope nothing

But now I will add I don't think all the kids bring stuff home. So an email would be much much easier and I think I will follow up with that after the holidays. I am hoping that maybe people just didn't get the notes.

It's not just my class either- I spoke with another parent who hasn't gotten any money.

Now I am all for BUDGET so I can pull off a cheaper version of everything. I just think it's unfortunate that people assume that someone else will pay for what their kids are getting.

I planned on keeping a detailed spreadsheet as to what I bought for what party so they could see where the money went. Now I may just send it out at the end of the year thanking the ONE parent that sent money in to help me foot the bill. Ok I won't do that but I can dream can't I?

I would contact PTA and tell them that your class will likely only have $10 for the end of the year pizza party as no parents have donated. I would not pay it myself. PTA would either have to make up the difference or agree to change the party plan since parents apparently don't want to pay for a pizza party.

 

[aprilgail2]

Around here they don't have class parties or room parents after Elementary (5th grade) but in your position, I would call all parents who didn't send $ and tell (not ask) them what I needed them to provide for the party. It should be pretty easy for such a small class. I'd use $10 of the $30 for plates, napkins, and soda since you can't very well have a party without those things and then the refreshments would be whatever parents came through and brought. That should be 10 people to send cookies, chips, dip, fruit trays, etc... .

Soda, Chips and dip would NOT fly at schools around here- they are not healthy and we can't serve them at class parties- anything served has to be store bought, less than 5 grams of fat, less than 15 grams of sugar and no more than 2 grams of saturated fat- can't be homemade- if its fruit it has to be cut up in the store, not at home (which is expensive!) All new rules that they did this year because of some stupid award for being one of the healthyist districts in NY- parents HATE it. We can send anything we want for lunch or our own kids snacks but for parties it has to meet the healthy alliance guidelines so parties are expensive.

 

[lovintennessee]

I am a PTA president and we (the PTA) at my school doesn't touch the parties. Everything is on a volunteer basis from the parents regarding food and drinks. I am really surprised the PTA got involved with the classroom parties.

 

[Hannathy]

Checking back in I just thought if it is only 10 kids why don't you simply call each parent? It is only 10 phone calls, I have had to make that many on calling lists many a time. Also being a small school you probably know half if not more of the parents so speaking on the phone will probably get a response. You can also explain that way that the PTA has dictated the amount and the parties. If you have donations from 2 kids it really only is 7 phone calls!!! Really just make 7 phone calls and know where you stand. Also helps in case some of the notes never got home.

 

[momx2]

I would let the PTA know that there was no response and that there will be no donation to the end of the year pizza party. I think the PTA here has way too much time and money on their hands. That is ridiculous! I would pay it, but I know very few others that would.

 

[MinnieGi]

Is the teacher on board with this? Maybe she can help remind kids to bring in the money by putting it down as homework in their agenda books or however 7th graders get homework.

I'm a classroom mom of DD's and we asked $5.00 from each child for a Halloween party. That enabled us to buy pizza, snacks, decorations, prizes and favors. Every child brought money in, but we had lots of support from her teacher by having the kids write it in their agenda books as a reminder to bring in the money.

If you continue not to get money from this class I would also inform PTA, that this class will be having a more budget minded party. Actually I too am surprised PTA is involved and not footing the bill!!! In our school if PTA has something special on the schedule they pay for it!!!

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

Would the school allow a dance? We have k-5 has a party, and 6,7,8 has a dance the last 2 hours of the school day. We are a small school, so it works out well, they don't even get a DJ. They have chips and sodas.

 

[momxx5]

This whole thing seems odd. The PTA dictating when and what kind of parties to have?!?! Are most parents members of the PTA? I would check to see who are members, because if they are then they should be aware of how parties are handled. Is there only 1 7th grade class? As mentioned before, most parties end in elementary school unless some over-zealous parents want to do more. If there is more than one 7th grade class why not have a larger party.....honestly a party of 10 is barely a party, but if it is a party of 10 then that keeps the expenses really low. Is this a private school?

I consider a party.......a holiday plate/napkin, a juice box and a cupcake. Anything else, especially dictated by the PTA should be their responsibility.

I know that the class parties at our elementary school got so out of hand because we were only allowed 2 parent participation parties....Holiday and end-of-year. Other holidays were drop off treats.
Once class would have parents hire a clown, while another class had a cookie and juice box.

Also, our school has now implemented rules that all items must be prepackaged store bought....no baking from home. This caused a lot less to be donated because of costs.

Right now DH has been unemployed for almost a year. $15.00 is a week of lunches for one of my kids....so I'd have a hard time donating the money, but I would still let the class mom know what was going on.

God Bless you and I know that the kids will really appreciate what you do for them.

P.S. Middle schoolers do not always give their parents notes from school. I cannot count how many times I "heard about it" from someone else or after the fact because my kids didn't show me the paper. Just a fact.

 

[lovintennessee]

I would contact the PTA president and ask for a breakdown of the fees that are paid by each member. Keep in mind that $2.75 per member goes directly to the PTA but the rest of the money is profit.

Also, let the president know the trouble you are having. We have cut back a lot on fundraisers due to the economy. Also when the PTA sponsors something at our school it is paid for by the PTA. I would think most of those pizzas are donated if not sold at a very low cost.

 

[hipchickie]

To clarify a touch-
The parties are ones that the PTA assigns per grade- so we have the Brunch, an ice cream party and then a year end pizza party. The pizza's are bought from a local place and each class has to chip in $40 for that alone.

The PTA suggests asking for $20 a person. I thought that was too high so went with $15.

I can't believe the PTA "assigns" parties, I have never heard of that.
If I was a parent in the school with more than one kid, I would have a real issue paying $40 or more for parties in my kids classes.

 

[brymolmom]

Does the PTA ALSO do fundraising throughout the year for other activities or is this the only thing they ask for?

I am a board member of my PTA and we do fundraising but then do NOT ask for this type of contribution for class parties.

If they do NOT do fundraising, then this is not surprising...About $20 per student is what is expected from fundraising per student from our school. Some give it - some raise more than that amount to cover the others....

If you want your student to get the parties - then try harder to get the contributions. If, at this age, you think it's no big deal then drop it and don't do the other 2...

 

[TerryKitten]

Honestly, I hate having to remember to get X item for my kids party. I much rather give money. Like others have said, perhaps notes are not getting to parents. Perhaps parents don't care. Have the teacher say "Due to low funds, we may not have the Holiday Brunch we planned to have." If the party is important to them, they will tell their parents.

 

[buzz5985]

I asked DS 13 - 7th grader - about a class holiday party. His exact words - "that's so lame". It's all about the cool factor in 7th grade. Could be the kids don't want to participate. Our school has class dances - $5/child - covers DJ, Pizza and juice.

Maybe this is one of the differences between a PTA and a PTO - we have a PTO.

Janis

 

[lovintennessee]

The difference between a PTO and PTA is that a PTO is not part of a national organization like the PTA. All money raised by the PTO is kept by the PTO. With the PTA we give $2.75 per member to the National PTA so we are part of a national organization. The PTA is also a 501 c 3 which means we are tax exempt and carry insurance for our general members and board members to avoid lawsuits.


If run correctly the PTO/PTA can be really successful.

 

[java]

The difference between a PTO and PTA is that a PTO is not part of a national organization like the PTA. All money raised by the PTO is kept by the PTO. With the PTA we give $2.75 per member to the National PTA so we are part of a national organization. The PTA is also a 501 c 3 which means we are tax exempt and carry insurance for our general members and board members to avoid lawsuits.


If run correctly the PTO/PTA can be really successful.

I misspoke- as ours is actually PTO- and it is very successful- I was involved in the cookbook last year and really it wasn't even necessary. We had more than enough for the programs they sponsor. (An after school science Mr. Science is one of them that's GREAT!) So I don't want to be hating on the PTO. I think they say- 3 parties so that all the kids in the school have the same thing.
I'll let you all know how it goes and if I get any additional funds.

 

[mjkacmom]

I misspoke- as ours is actually PTO- and it is very successful- I was involved in the cookbook last year and really it wasn't even necessary. We had more than enough for the programs they sponsor. (An after school science Mr. Science is one of them that's GREAT!) So I don't want to be hating on the PTO. I think they say- 3 parties so that all the kids in the school have the same thing.
I'll let you all know how it goes and if I get any additional funds.

Our PTO just raised $40,000 from the tricky tray, our main fundraiser. I think the kids get 2 pizza parties a year, paid for by the PTO. They also request that the class parties remain simple, and since the class moms pay for them, they usually are.

 

[aprilgail2]

The difference between a PTO and PTA is that a PTO is not part of a national organization like the PTA. All money raised by the PTO is kept by the PTO. With the PTA we give $2.75 per member to the National PTA so we are part of a national organization. The PTA is also a 501 c 3 which means we are tax exempt and carry insurance for our general members and board members to avoid lawsuits.


If run correctly the PTO/PTA can be really successful.

We give 3.50 per member to the region pta- we change between 7.00 for a regular membership, 20.00 for a family four pack or 30.00 for a "diamond member" you get your name on a board, free t shirt, and your name in each edition of the newsletter as "diamond members"
PTA's are non profit and you can write off the donations on your income tax- I believe PTO's are NOT non profit since they don't spend all their money on the children.

 

[lovintennessee]

We switched to PTA since I could not get the 501 c 3 approved by the IRS for our PTO.