Allocation of funds...

Each school and classroom has its own "policies" regarding how the classroom parties are financed. Basically, one of the following three procedures is typically used. Your teacher will be able to advise you, but remember to be flexible. In addition, don't feel you need to bear an unnecessary financial burden in order to make your party picture perfect…children are very easily pleased!

Some PTA/PTO organizations allocate portions of their budget to be distributed evenly among all the classes in the school for classroom parties. The money is distributed to the teacher at the beginning of the year. The teacher then decides if he/she will turn all of it over to the head room mother, or if she will determine how much will be spent on each event and give direction prior to each party.

At some schools, the head room mom or teacher sends a memo home at the beginning of the year, asking each student to contribute to a "classroom party fund". The amount of the contribution can range anywhere from $2.00 per student to $10.00 per student. Some parents may still supplement the parties with snacks or favors. Always work with the teacher to determine the amount, as she will be aware of any special financial needs. No child should ever be made to feel embarrassed.

Many classes do not ask for a one-time financial contribution, but rely on the participation of parents at each party. The room mom recruits parent volunteers to donate snacks, beverages, favors, decorations, or paper goods, etc. for the party. Sometimes teachers/room moms request that each parent plan to make 2-3 "donations" through the year. The busiest of parents will make time to send items to a party, even if they can't attend.

Thanks to everythingelementary.com for the info!!

Class party basics...

Know that every teacher has different expectations. Some teachers will give you a party plan, laying out all the details for you. Others will await the party as anxiously as the children to see what fun you have prepared for them! ALWAYS check with the teacher FIRST.

• Fill out a Room Party Checklist below for each party to get more organized.
  
• Plan to arrive half an hour before the party is supposed to start.
  
• Make arrangements with the teacher to have the classroom available for set-up 15 minutes before the party starts.
  
• Ask all party volunteers to get there 15 minutes before the start of the party to set up, and finalize plans.
  
• Don't assume that pre-school siblings will be welcome. Check with the teacher first. It's not fair to have someone else watching your child while you work with the students.
  
• Bring everything you will need for each game and craft.
  
• Bring along a large plastic trash bag, and some paper towels for cleanup.
• When planning parties for younger children (under 10), or if you are working with a limited amount of time, think about dividing the activities into "stations". Recruit enough parents/helpers to work at each station, and divide the children into small groups. Have the party guests spend no more than 10-15 minutes at a station, then rotate.
  
• Select a couple of games, a craft, and then read an age appropriate book to the group if you're stumped for time. Always plan two or three extra games or an extra craft just in case you finish faster than you expect.
  
• Always plan to have extra snacks available so that the teacher, school principal, and parent helpers can enjoy them also. Students love to deliver those, if possible!
  
• Don't forget the camera and video camera. It's great to print out pictures for the teacher, the class or parents.
  
• Above all else, be flexible, and have fun!

Thanks to everythingelementary.com for this info!!

Class party checklist

Room Party Checklist
Party Occasion: ________________________________________________
Theme: _________________________________________________________
Teacher Name & Grade: ______________________________________
Party Chairperson (Phone #): ___________________________________
Budget: ____________ or Parents will contribute: _____________
Teacher Preferences/Recommendations: ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________
ASSIGNMENTS:
PARENT VOLUNTEER
PHONE #
1. Game #1


2. Game #2


3. Craft


4. Decorations


5. Book


6. Snack #1


7. Snack #2


8. Paper Goods (plates, napkins, and cutlery)


9. Beverage/cups


10. Favors(treat "bag", goodies, items to match the theme)
a.


b.


c.


d.


11. Set Up/Clean Up


(Parents volunteering to help with the games, craft, book reading, and set up/clean up need to attend the party, and have all necessary items for their assignment. Parents contributing paper goods, snacks, decorations and favors can send the "contribution" in to the chairperson prior to the party if they are unable to attend.)

Contingency Plans: _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________

Thanks to everythingelementary.com for this info!!

Disaster stories

This is the section where I like to share disaster stories, or games, treats and ideas that just DIDN'T work for whatever reason....I hope you will add your own!

We did a relay once for a Halloween party, where the kids had to stick their hands in a big bowl of brains (pasta) and grab the eyeballs (olives or grapes). What a HUGE mess! There were pieces of pasta everywhere and the teacher was NOT happy! Lesson learned!

I was once a room mother, new to the school, where it was a tradition for the kids to make their own gingerbread houses, start to finish, during the holiday party. There were parents assigned to make the pieces to the house, bring them in, then parents would make royal icing ahead of time (complete with powdered egg whites!), what a PAIN!! It again was a huge mess, and major inconvenience for all of the parents. I did however, find a great EASY recipe for royal icing that I will have to dig out and post. It was made with real egg whites and mixed with confectioner's sugar in a baggy, so there was no mess there. Still....major PAIN.