Homeroom Moms?

[mercydisney]

I've been a homeroom mom for 6 yrs now. Last year I shared the responsible w/a dear friend. She wrote all the letters to the parents. Well this year her DD has a different teacher and I'm on my own. I was wondering is their a websie I can go to that has ideas for "nice letter" requesting money/gifts from student.
A couple of years ago (when I was not Homeroom Mom) I recieved a letter stating the wanted monwy fir the teacher's gift. I thought the way it was written was so tacky that I vowed never to write such a demanding letter. So I need help. DD's teacher is great and I want to show her she is appreciated. With todays economy I know it is hard to make ends meet and I would liek every child to bring in at least $1.

PS. I deleted all my old classroom letters because I thought I would not do it again.

OK If you read all this and still don't know what I need. I need a good letter to address to parents stateing please make donation for your tild teacher and any great ideas to make a teachers B'day special.

As you can see from this post I like to ramble and don't trust my writing abilities.

Thanks for your patience

 

[imthatgirl]

i dont completely understand. what is a homeroom mom? and why would you be asking the other parents to give donations for the teachers birthday?

 

[mommytobug]

I am homeroom nom and just went through this. My dd attends a small private school so my situation may be different. I wrote a nice letter stating that we would be celebrating her teacher's birthday and what day. I also wrote how excited and blessed we were to have her as a teacher. I then suggested that I would provide cupcakes and asked if anyone would like to provide chips and dip and drinks. I also asked if anyone would like to, they could send 5 to go towards a gift card for a present. A lot of moms sent 5, and everything was covered. Did everyone send the 5? No, but I signed the gift card from the whole class. I just wrote a nice letter explaining everything and also offering to take any suggestions they had. I can't believe you have been homeroom mom for that many years. We kinda take turns depending on who wants to/who the teacher picks. I have done it twice now, some moms never want to. Good luck!! I love being involved in this way. We are very blessed with our teacher and I want her to know it. Salaries stink and there are no benefits so our teachers are truly there for our kids.

 

[Stephres]

Our communications have to be approved by the principal and we are not allowed to ask for a dollar amount. Maybe the front office would have a sample letter of what they want sent out?

If not, I would just google. I find so much that way!

Good luck!

 

[McKelly]

Just went through something similar and this is how I worded it:

The 4th graders are very excited about the pending arrival of Baby XXXX! To celebrate the happy event, there will be a baby shower in class on October 17th! We would like to purchase a class gift for Mrs. XXXX. Please send a $5.00 donation (or whatever amount you feel is appropriate) to school by.....

Obviously, this is not for a birthday, but similar, hope it helps.

 

[mercydisney]

Yes moomytobug, 6yrs. I have a 13 yr old in middle school. It seems the Mom tend to stray away. I love the school and I love the teachers so I don't mind being involved. This yrs teachers are very reasonable and don't need me 24/7 so I don't mind. I just hate writing the "Can you letter". I love the B'day party idea but they are not aloud to have party's in the classroom (new principal rule )

Mckelly I will definetly start the letter w/ The 2nd graders are very excited to celebrate so and so B'day.

I don't know why I am so nervous about this. It's not like have not done this before .

Stephres, I didn;t know I could google a letter!!

 

[McKelly]

I was very nervous too!!!!! However, I have received money from 2/3 of the class, so I must not have made too many mad!! Just remember, not everybody will participate, it is just how it goes......oh well, I always include all the kids anyway.

 

[thegrimdwarf]

Just went through something similar and this is how I worded it:

The 4th graders are very excited about the pending arrival of Baby XXXX! To celebrate the happy event, there will be a baby shower in class on October 17th! We would like to purchase a class gift for Mrs. XXXX. Please send a $5.00 donation (or whatever amount you feel is appropriate) to school by.....

I think that's perfect! My older boy is in his second year of Pre-K, and last year I got a couple of notes, similarly worded, from the Room Mothers. Short and tasteful.

 

[mjkacmom]

i dont completely understand. what is a homeroom mom? and why would you be asking the other parents to give donations for the teachers birthday?

We have 2 class moms per class, plus a head class mom, in charge of reminding the class moms about parties, and to send out the 3 letters a year asking for $5 (tricky tray basket, christmas, end of year gift). Class moms here are also responsible for contacting parents if school is delayed or closed.

 

[fireworks fan]

Wow, I just wanted to say I just received our class moms's letter, and they asked for $25 a child. Now, that includes holiday parties and teacher holiday/birthday gifts, but I thought it was high- 28 kids X 25=$700!

 

[mjkacmom]

Wow, I just wanted to say I just received our class moms's letter, and they asked for $25 a child. Now, that includes holiday parties and teacher holiday/birthday gifts, but I thought it was high- 28 kids X 25=$700!

I'd rather give it all at once. I have 4 in elementary, and trying to remember to send in the $5 (and I never have $5's) 3 times a year is a PITA. Our class moms foot the bill for the parties themselves - part of the job description.

 

[Stephres]

Stephres, I didn;t know I could google a letter!!

Oh yes, I have googled to find letters with medical releases for when I leave the kids with my parents, sponsorship letters for PTA, even resignation letters when I wanted to quit my job. I always google before I start writing because I can usually find the basic idea first.

But the pp's letter sounds great too. You want something upbeat and to the point: perfect!

 

[4our3kids]

We also enjoy celebrating birthdays when possible for the teachers. In years past, I've sent a note home asking each child to make a card or write a short note to give to the teacher on the specified day. I've often began the note: Shhhhh! Don't tell, but Mrs. X's bday is next Wednesday. Please help celebrate her day by taking a few minutes to create a card, note or letter for her.....and so on. I do agree with previous poster that, unfortunately, when you sign on as room mom, you are basically agreeing to fund some activities. If you are fortunate to have good helpers in your class, then count your blessings because they are harder and harder to find! Hope this helps!

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

I just have to say I am jealous of all you room moms. I got to be one a few years with my oldest DD before they did away with them in our school.
I had my middle DD's kindergarten tell me that they didn't do room moms anymore because they tend to be the "pushy moms" (BTW, this was right after I offered to be her's if she wanted one.) Couse she was about that lovable all year long. The youngest DD's kindergarten teacher was the best ever, such a sweet lady. And though they still don't have "room moms", she often invited many moms to come help her out at various times so we got a chance to enjoy holidays and other special days. (Not the reason we loved her, but it didn't hurt...)

 

[MousekaMaddi]

Our DD6 is a first grader and I am lucky enough to be the room mother again this yr!! and Im thrilled!!(Im "old" and only have one child so Im cherishing every second .
As room mothers(3 of us) we plan the parties and the treats, our school in NY has no limits on goodies or homemade vs storebought!
I too shyed away from writing that dreaded letter asking for $, luckily another Mom stepped up! Id love to see a few letter examples too as it may be my turn soon

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

I'm homeroom mom for both my kids this year. (4th grade and pre -K) This is the 1st time I'm a homeroom mom in my DS's new school.

We have our 1st meeting on Monday so we'll see how it goes. Usually there are 2 per room plus we also have a grade coordinator. There are 13 , 4th grades so it takes alot of people to organize parties and such.

I like the format of the "new baby" letter . In our school, we pay money or do a fundraiser at the beginning of the school year for all the parties and things like that. Our contribution is $30.00 per family.