Who is financially responsible? Class Parties?

[TheRatPack]

If you have school aged children, who is usually responsible to bear the burden of paying for the class parties when parents don't send in the requested items/donations/money?

All year it's been fine, and certain parents have sent in all the required items. The teacher really wanted to have them pizza for one party, so it was ordered and ended up being 22.10 (there are 22 kids in the class so this equals 1.00 per child).

A whopping total of 4.50 was sent in to cover it....what???? Who bears the added cost usually in your experience? It's not fair to ask the teacher to take on more cost than what she's currently probably already bought for the classroom, but I don't think it's the parents responsibility who picked it up to incur the cost either?

What would you do?

 

[Blondy876]

In my class, if the items needed are not sent in or paid for it comes out of my pocket. (I'm the teacher) I hate it and it really cuts back on the things we plan because I just can't afford it.

In my dd's class I send in whatever is asked for and I always try to send in extra because I know that there will be some parents that won't send in anything.

 

[mrsgus06]

I would probably offer to pay the difference although I had already paid my dollar. Teachers are never appreciated enough or paid enough for their jobs. I find it crazy that athletes make millions of dollars to play sports and teachers, who develop the minds of the future, are paid squat.

 

[inaminute]

If it's the teacher's idea to have a special party for his/her students, then it's ultimately their responsibility to pay for it. They can request donations from the parents, but the teacher should be prepared to cover the costs.

If it's a school-wide sponsored event, then I would imagine it would be the PTO/PTA/School responsibility.

Edited: We believe in paying our way, and make sure that DGS takes whatever is requested for parties, etc. It does get to be a bit much sometimes, between the fundraisers, school supplies, field trips, etc. This leads me to ask another question--just what are those fundraisers for, anyway?

 

[Karel]

I would send another note out, asking money from people who didn't pay.

In our school, most of the time the room parents just tell other parents what are needed. I have a good friend who has lots of the green stuff and doesn't mind spending it on the room parties. Most people don't have that kind of money but I'm sure most room parents incur some sort of expense.

In fifth and sixth grade, all the kids are asked to bring in $3 at the beginning of the year to cover expenses. Last year,since we didnt' spend that money, I used it at the end of the year to buy the teacher a class gift.

I'll add that our classes are very small and most of the parents know each other, so things may be different in larger schools.

 

[lulugirl]

I think the teacher should collect "party" money well in advance. I would never expect a teacher to cover an expense for my child.

 

[Nancy]

If it's the teacher's idea to have a special party for his/her students, then it's ultimately their responsibility to pay for it. They can request donations from the parents, but the teacher should be prepared to cover the costs.

If it's a school-wide sponsored event, then I would imagine it would be the PTO/PTA/School responsibility.

That's my thought on it too. The kids don't HAVE to have a party, it's an extra treat that the teacher arranged.

I always send in the requested money, but I'm sure there are those who don't. Some just don't have that extra dollar to spend.

My DD just needed a small amount of pillow fiberfill for her project at school, I bought a huge bag, doesn't cost all that much and told her to have the teacher keep it. Good thing because lots of kids did not have the fiberfill. The reason I did this was because this was NOT a special treat, it was part of the grade for the class, so those kids who had parents that couldn't afford the stuffing would not lose their grades...and the teacher wouldn't have to supply it for them.

 

[powellrj]

when I was room parent. I just always paid for everything myself. The teachers never offered and I never asked (except once when we did a pizza party, but thats another whole thread!) When I was asked to provide a craft, games and prizes, sodas, pizzas, snacks, you name it, I was always expected to pay for it myself. Thats one of the many reasons I am no longer room parent, but I offer to send things in and am usually assigned something.

 

[mommaU4]

I don't know about pizza parties but in our kids classes they have a mid-morning snack. The kids are supposed to bring in their own snack but the teachers ask for snack donations that they keep in the class room for those who forget.
My DS said that in his class we are the only family who ever sends in a snack. Once we went to Sam's Club and bought these yogurt dipped granola bars. Apparently the kids all loved them and when the snacks ran out and it was time to ask for more snacks, the kids asked my son if he would be bringing in more of those.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I've been a room parent for a few years. Usually what we do for parties is assign people (on a voluntary basis) to bring in a food item. There is usually plenty of variety and so if someone forgets it's no big deal. Then for the class gifts to the teacher, I find it easiest to collect at the beginning of the year ($20 per child) and split it equally between Christmas gift and End of year gift. Then I'm not chasing money down all year. Some parents opt out and that's fine, I just don't sign their name to the card. I'm not saying I never incur extra expenses but I wouldn't pay that much out of pocket.

We've never had a pizza party like that but I would think the teacher should have discussed the payment arrangement ahead of time.

 

[hlbtimes2]

We dont have room parents, and have few parties. Maybe one a year. The school feels the kids are there to learn, not have parties. They've done a couple small things, but its not like I remember from being in school.

We were asked to pay $5 for the field trip in the fall. Not a problem.

Someone asked where fundraiser money goes: in our school it goes for field trips, planners (notebooks that come home with the kids everyday), art supplies, field day, etc.

 

[PaulaSue]

If it's the teacher's idea to have a special party for his/her students, then it's ultimately their responsibility to pay for it. They can request donations from the parents, but the teacher should be prepared to cover the costs.

If it's a school-wide sponsored event, then I would imagine it would be the PTO/PTA/School responsibility.

Ditto

I know from both schools many parent don't help out when asked though. Some can't afford but most are "too busy" to remember. I find it is always the same handful of moms/dads who help.

P.S. Our school/district can only do one fundraiser a year rn by each's PTO. (each building does a different one). We have almost 400 kids in our school. The money PTO raises goes to field trips, reading incentives for the kids each month, money for each of the staff to start the school year to help buy supplies (25-50 a year), we do May Day, fall Festival, Friendship party, X-mas gifts to each student and all the staff, a party for when the last grade "graduates'', and special events where speakers come in for the kids just to name a few.

 

[MrsPete]

If I were the teacher, I'd return the 4.50 that was donated and send out a note explaining WHY there'd be no party. I'd go ahead with lessons as usual that day, and I'd probably be blasted by the parents for not providing a party for whatever holiday it was.

 

[pearlieq]

I don't have kids, but I help out one of the room moms at our local elementary school. The kids pay something like $4 at the beginning of the year for the parties. They have 4 per year (halloween, Christmas, valentine's day, and end of year) that include treats, games, and crafts. The room moms use the money collected to buy craft supplies, and usually the cupcakes/cookies/etc. are just donated by the parents. It works out just fine.

I guess I don't get why there HAD to be pizza? Frankly it seems like a really unnecessary expense. What's wrong with popcorn and cupcakes? I honestly doubt the kids would really have cared. Since it was the teacher's idea and the room parents apparently agreed to it, I would imagine they'll just have to split the cost. And hopefully think twice next time.

Along the same vein, why are these parties always so focused on food? The kids eat all kinds of snacks and treats and the parties and then bring candy home. I don't think that's really healthy. I know the treats are fun, and I'm certainly not opposed to a cupcake or cookie or something, but these kids are getting cookies AND cupcakes AND candy AND chips/popcorn/goldfish/pretzels AND sugar pop and juice drinks. That's hundreds of calories!

 

[disneysteve]

The teacher really wanted to have them pizza for one party, so it was ordered and ended up being 22.10 (there are 22 kids in the class so this equals 1.00 per child).

A whopping total of 4.50 was sent in to cover it.

If the teacher went and ordered food on her own without getting the money first, I think she is responsible for that bill. Maybe next time, she'll collect the money in advance. That's what DD's school has always done.

 

[missypie]

My DH was room parent for quite a few years and we ended up paying for quite a few "extras" out of pocket. We're doing just fine financially, so we didn't mind. I do think that a person on a super tight budget should not be room parent because extra expenses have a way of creeping in.

Like someone else mentioned, I also send in "extra" stuff on occasion. When the kids are supposed to bring in a plain white t-shirt to tye dye for field day, I'll buy a two pack and send in both, etc. Mid-year I might buy a package of dry erase markers for the classroom.

I always think that if I became very wealthy, at the beginning of every school year I'd give a $50 Walmart gift card to every teacher I know.

 

[RitaZ.]

My younger children's school doesn't allow room parents or teachers to ask for monetary donations from parents to cover party expenses, none. However, it is ok for RPs to send a letter to parents asking for monetary donations for the teacher's gift at Christmas and at the end of year.

One thing that I did to minimize the cost was to call Pappa John's Pizza and ask the manager for a discounted price on the pizzas. The teacher suggested pizza, so we went along with it. We ended up paying $5 per pie and the cost was covered between me and two other moms.

In a perfect world, each parent would respond in a timely manner to requests for donations and would graciously donate what is needed for the party. That's not going to happen though, some parents have valid reasons for not contributing and others don't care to participate. Unfortunately, if you volunteer to be RP, you need to be prepared to cover "extra" and last minute expenses.

The thing that I've always wondered about is when kids tell the parents about the class party they had (what they ate, the goodies they take home, etc.), don't the parents who don't contribute wonder who paid for it? The school and PTA certainly are not paying for it and they really shouldn't anyway. Reminds me of The Little Red Hen...

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

In our school the class parents collect money at the beginning of the year from each family to cover the cost of parties and presents for the teachers. We are generally asked for $20 per child. That covers all parties for the school year and 2 gifts for the teacher -- Christmas and end of school year.

I was the class parent a couple of years ago and there were a couple of families I had to call to remind them about the $$ but then everyone sent it. Even with that money we still had some parents volunteering to bring things to the parties -- and it was a huge help.

 

[MAKmom]

In our school the class parents collect money at the beginning of the year from each family to cover the cost of parties and presents for the teachers. We are generally asked for $20 per child. That covers all parties for the school year and 2 gifts for the teacher -- Christmas and end of school year.

I was the class parent a couple of years ago and there were a couple of families I had to call to remind them about the $$ but then everyone sent it. Even with that money we still had some parents volunteering to bring things to the parties -- and it was a huge help.

This is a GREAT idea. The parents a very involved in our district. We are in one of the best School Districts in the state. They have to draw lots to see who gets to be a Home Room Parent. We sign up at back to school night to donate to partys. I would love to get it over with at one time. Last year we did pay for all School trips at one time which was great just filling out one permission slip.

 

[TheRatPack]

If I were the teacher, I'd return the 4.50 that was donated and send out a note explaining WHY there'd be no party. I'd go ahead with lessons as usual that day, and I'd probably be blasted by the parents for not providing a party for whatever holiday it was.

LOL, well actually I'm the parent that incurred the cost of the pizza and I was sent 4.50 for my time and expense I'm just amazed that another note wasn't requested or something to send out to the parents as a reminder. I'd feel embarrassed to send a parent 4.50 when I know that it cost more than that.

The party has already happened, so there is not a way to just toss it to the wind sadly.....my husband says that I should just take it as a loss and move on. I guess I just never realized I'd be the one to take the financial responsibility for the party

Next year it's going back to just being an active participant...this room parent stuff is for the birds.....or rich folks LOL