Thanks for all of your replies. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who feels this is not appropriate. I got on the phone to a couple of teacher friends to ask how they have done their Christmas parties and most of them said they were usually done at someone's house/potluck. They said they've tried a few different things like: with/without spouses or having it right after school but neither friend said the event was paid for by a Parents' group.
Every year, our PTA has a Christmas party at a nice restaurant, and it runs approximately $25 per person. I couldn't imaging trying to convice the board that although we pay for our party out of pocket, would it be alright if we picked up the tab for the staff. My board would have my head! And rightfully so. Don't think of it as being cheap...it's a misappropriation of funds. Parents participate in fundraisers and make donations to their parent group in order to benefit their child's education and school experience...not to make sure that the teachers have a nice Holiday Party. The teachers make a decent salary, correct? They should be responsible for funding their own holiday party! I wouldn't back down on this one if I were you. Good luck!
My response when i read this was...WHAT!!! there is no way i would go for this. We do alot at staff appreciation week and little things during the year but our total budget is less than 1000.00 yes we would love to do more but we spend so much on family nights that there is none for classroom funds, field trip funds, etc. it is all for FUN!! Stick with your guns on this, I mean a country club party? what about rolls and a meat tray in the lounge, somehow paying for the teachers to get drunk is way to much...I have been at staff parties and trust me that is what happens. But hey we all need to loosen up once in a while but i would never ask to take money from the school parent group to do it!!!
[ 12-10-2004, 09:23 PM: Message edited by: pals ]
"When you stop learning you stop growing."
I am not all that gungho on the PTO using their funds to feed staff. It used to be very commonplace-like once a month-when the school secretary was treasurer. Now we only do it for special times and try to get staff to contribute somehow and we are working on trying to get parents to help, but it is always the same few who are willing. I just don't think most parents would be happy supporting PTO fundraisers if they knew that money was going to feed staff when some of them have trouble getting food on their own tables. Just my 2 cents, cause I know it bothered me to find out that the PTO was catering $600 meals for the staff several times a year.
The irony of commitment is that it’s deeply liberating-in work, in play, in love. The act frees you from the tyranny of your internal critic, from the fear that likes to dress itself up and parade around as rational hesitation. To commit is to remove your head as the barrier to your life. --Anne Morris
Say What?? As a parent I would be very upset to shell out that kind of money for their Christmas party. I also believe that 99% of the money raised should be for the school. I also agree w/you that your plan sounds much better.
I can understand why they would want their own party, but the amount is a little high.
Our PTO hosts breakfasts and luncheons throughout the year of the school staff and it's much appreciated.
I say stick with your suggestion and if they aren't happy with it, then I guess they'll have to shell out the money themselves.
Some of our teachers believe it is OUR job (our PTO) to pay for their teacher Xmas party. I disagree...I see our fund going to things to benefit the school. I don't have a problem with our PTO securing volunteers to donate food and beverage and a home to host it, but they were wanting us to underwrite $40 a couple at a local country club.
