Need Help with School Halloween Party

[RachaelRol]

Grrr...

I am a class parent of my son's first grade class. This is his first year at this school. unfortunately for me, mom's clicked and (cliqued) last year. Well one of things we're charged with is handling the Halloween party. School guidelines allow one one serving of junk and one serving of 100% juice.

Well the two other class moms got together and planned the party w/o including me. I saw one yesterday at a birthday aprty and was told to just chip in whatever I wanted since they planned everything.

I told her I wanted to contribute something of my own and not just give money... I am buying some prizes for the winners of the games which was met with some resistance since not EVERY kid can win. I explained that each kid will get a canvas bag full of goodies she bought so the prize thing should be okay. I am a believer in healthy competion.

I also want to make some fruit and veggie like treats the kids will eat. I thought of fruit kabobs and am alos thinking about witches fingers. I'm hoping you can give some fun food ideas and maybe some games, etc.

Thanks for letting me vent and for your ideas!

Rachael

 

[Aliceacc]

In addition to Oriental Trading, try here for the prizes:

Coupon Code Sale - Extra 15% Off Halloween Sale Items
Enter coupon code Halloween during checkout on SmallToys.com.
You will receive an Extra 15% Off our items in our Halloween Sale Items Category.

The Sale Items include Creepy Halloween Decorations and Unusual Halloween Candy!

Here's some examples of what's on sale: Feathered Vulture, Bloody White Creepy Cloth, Black Cats,
Glow in the Dark Posable Skeleton, Tombstone, Realistic Witch, Fabric Hanging Bats, Pop Rocks,
Vinyl Realistic Bloody Hand, Gummy Eyeball Candy, Tootsie Rolls, Halloween Twinkler Gumballs,
Wax Fangs, Witch's Wart Candy and my all time favorite Bag O Blood Candy.

Wholesale to everyone. No minimum order required.

Flat rate FedEx ground shipping for only $7.95 regardless of the size of order.

Only one coupon code per order. Coupons must be entered at time of ordering to qualify. Offer Good While Supplies Last! Coupon code Halloween expires on Sunday, October 21st.

Thank you for shopping at SmallToys.com. Remember to forward this email to your friends


** I've used them before and love them!

 

[DisneyRockStarMommy]

Hey I'm in for the same thing except the room parents at my kid's schools work together....
1. we have the kids use veggies to make scary faces on pumpkin plates
we buy plates with pumpkins on them and then chop up veggies the kids use the cucumbers for eyes, carrots in a triangle for the nose etc.
2. Various shapes of Spooky creatures can be made by using a cookie cutter and apple slices with peanut butter, almound butter, honey, or etc.
3. Buy juices and cool ice cube molders and make vampire juice (cranberry juice) with hearts
Just Some Quick Ideas
E

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

I think its crappy that the moms planned everything w/o you. I'd be sad.

 

[CastleCreations]

We had a game where we put creepy stuff in a bowl, and covered it with a cardboard box. In the front of the box was a hole for the child to stick their hand in and try to guess what was in there. Make sure you cover the hole with something, cause there are lots of little cheaters out there..LOL.
We did cold spaghetti- monster brains, grapes that were wet- witch eyes...etc... you can think up some fun stuff to put in the boxes and try to scare the kids...LOL

 

[RachaelRol]

I think its crappy that the moms planned everything w/o you. I'd be sad.

I was really disapointed they did that. I
m trying to be the better person, but if it happens again, I will speak up....

 

[Benducci]

I do think it is crappy that the other moms did not include you but I don't think that your idea of the competition for the kids & not everyone getting a prize is that great. The kids are in 1st grade. Some of them still don;t understand why they don't get prizes when others do. Have you checked with the teacher as to what she wnts in the class? I am class parent this year for our 1st grade and we only have 1/2 hour to do something & most of it is suggested by the teacher.
Since the others have planned the party, what you want to do may not fit in with what they have planned and it may be too much.
Instead of getting into a pissing contest with these other mothers, why not say to them, since they got Halloween, you will get the next holiday?

 

[partyplannermom]

I host a Halloween party every year for my DDs. Two different things you could do along the healthier side:
1. cantalope cut out with a pumpkin cookie cutter (Wilton has a smaller set)
2. individual string cheese, notched to look like fingers with either some carrot or green pepper as a fingernail held on with a thicker type dip (Family Fun mag had this one a few years back)

I serve both at my party and they are big hits!

 

[Bopsmom]

Instead of getting into a pissing contest with these other mothers, why not say to them, since they got Halloween, you will get the next holiday?

Absolutely Right
My DD is in 5th grade this year and this can be very disheartening. Hang Tough.
Maybe they have have to do what ALL the other 1st grade classes are doing or have done in the past. This is how we have to plan parties at DD's school.

From a former teacher and (battlescarred)room mom:
Your lucky you can even have a party. Our school allows only 1 per year
No homemade food. ever
This year, No items from Oriental Trading-too many recall hazards Lost a great resource there.
Go on the field trip-the volunteer rooster drops dramatically when they think they have to spend the whole day-but actually it is a great time and your kid remembers it forever.
If you do decide to send along some "prizes" send some of those "sticky lizards". They are fun for everyone
The kids love them and they RUIN wallpaint and other surfaces by leaving grease marks.

 

[Minniemouse07]

Go on the field trip-the volunteer rooster drops dramatically when they think they have to spend the whole day-but actually it is a great time and your kid remembers it forever.

Not in our school...they actually have to have a lottery for class trips because so many parents want to go!

 

[Bopsmom]

Not in our school...they actually have to have a lottery for class trips because so many parents want to go!

Oh girl, send some of them down here. Maybe ours dropped dramatically last year because it was going to a ranch, in 90+humidity, after drenching rain, fighting lovebugs, mosquitos and aligators.
Yipeeeee!Fun Times!

 

[Mkrop]

I do think it is crappy that the other moms did not include you but I don't think that your idea of the competition for the kids & not everyone getting a prize is that great. The kids are in 1st grade. Some of them still don;t understand why they don't get prizes when others do. Have you checked with the teacher as to what she wnts in the class? I am class parent this year for our 1st grade and we only have 1/2 hour to do something & most of it is suggested by the teacher.
Since the others have planned the party, what you want to do may not fit in with what they have planned and it may be too much.
Instead of getting into a pissing contest with these other mothers, why not say to them, since they got Halloween, you will get the next holiday?

This is excactly what I was thinking. Tread carefully or you may have a looong year. Dont be a doormat but maybe make sure the class time can accomdate all this and since you are new maybe follow their lead at first to see how things are done there, than try and have more input at the next party. We have rules at DS10's school and then the teachers have their won set.

 

[Mkrop]

Not in our school...they actually have to have a lottery for class trips because so many parents want to go!

Same at our school. Guess it is those Philly Surbanites! Hey neighbor

 

[cajunpeach]

You get to have a Halloween party???? I'm very surprised. Do you get to have a Christmas party??? Most schools here have "Fall" parties as not too "offend" anyone. It seems all the political correctness has taken away our fun.

 

[Disney 4 Me]

I do think it is crappy that the other moms did not include you but I don't think that your idea of the competition for the kids & not everyone getting a prize is that great. The kids are in 1st grade. Some of them still don;t understand why they don't get prizes when others do.

I agree about it being crappy that the other moms didn't include you. I also agree about not everyone getting a prize. That creates hard feelings in kids that age. Even if everyone gets a bag, they still know that some children received something extra. That's not fair.

 

[PrincessTigerLily]

I'm the fruit mom too! We call it the "Harvest Party" here, go figure. I am bringing fruit kebabs (or maybe on plastic Halloween toothpicks if I can find them). I am going to hollow out a small pumpkin to put the dip in. The dip is good and as easy as it gets. Defrost one 8 oz. container of cool whip (I use the fat free kind) and mix it with one 6 oz. container of fruit flavored yogurt (we like Dannon Light N Fit strawberry). That's it! You can serve it right away, but I like to refrigerate it for a couple of hours, it makes the dip fluffier. Fruit moms unite!

 

[Tammysue5]

Hey don't know if this is an option... but I have always done the parties for all our kids (4) One thing I found that the kids loved was a small craft. You might consider this maybe in place of prizes? Last year I picked up the cutest Halloween craft from Joann Fabric.. (I also use Oriental trading) Before the party starts I prepare... I put everything each child will need into a ziploc bag and have a couple of examples (pics or ones I have already made) explain directions and let the kids go. This is for all ages. The older ones 4th graders can do more elaborate crafts. The kids love making something they can put a picture in, set around or put on the fridge.

Then everyone goes home with something. I am sorry that the other mothers did that. You are right to turn the other cheek (this time). You will be better for it. We have always been very fortunate... I work with great moms.

 

[RachaelRol]

Hello,

OP here.

DS teacher is okay with prizes for contests. He does this in his class with other activities. He thinks it build character, i.e, "being a good sport" which is a part of the schools curriculum.

Surprisingly, they do call it a Halloween Party. The Xmas party is called something else not sure what. As far as trips go, class parents are the only ones who attend.

I'm certainly not getting into a pissing contest with the other moms, but wanted to contribute something.

I am making the witches fingers and some fruit ka****s. I'm going to make the yogurt and cool whip dip someone recommended (thanks).

I am greatful my son attends a not so politically correct school and has a male teacher. I believe there is an over feminization at school and with that kids, especially boys miss out out on some character building opportunities.


My intent is not to create a debate, or stir the pot but losing gracefully and being a gracious winner are character traits that my son has already learned at 6 years old. I am happy his teacher and school allow this.

Thanks for all of the tips!

Rachael