We actually do have a budget for room parent activities although it is based on the number of children per class, not on a per parent basis. I believe it is about $12 a child. Now, we're a private school so it's a different animal because our school bookkeeper keeps up with our room mother money and we, as parents, are all required to pay an activity fee and this comes out of it.
It pays for things like a back-to-school party that we put on (we had a swimming party at a swim club) and if we had some kind of fancy craft at the Christmas party, etc. or if we were going on a school field trip and we wanted to buy snacks for the whole Second Grade to eat on the bus, we would buy it with that money BUT, to be honest, most of the time we have money left over at the end of the year because parents usually just donate this stuff.
This idea of room mother money gets discussed and debated every year at our school!
SHC
A second to Scottmom's comments. If the problem is that parents within the classrooms simply cannot financially support the activities under the room parent program then I might consider allotting each teacher a sum to go toward parties and such and let them determine what is needed along with their room parent, but if it's simply that the room parents don't want to have to deal with asking parents to provide items then too bad. That's a lot of money that could go to something that would enrich the educational experience.
I thought the purpose of room parent coor. was to coordinate with all parents of a class to get what was needed for the classsroom events. Doesn't getting money from the PTO eliminate a portion of their duities? Is this person not wanting to ask parents for donations/supplies or not getting them would be my question to them. And then I would tell them that $400 is a lot to budget for something when you have never had to provide it before and that it might be considered for next year but is unlikely for this year and then ask if they need someone to help them coordinate. And do it with a smile of course. I always tell new people upfront that I hate parting with money but I will work my butt off to make things perfect just so they know where I am coming from.
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
Our Room Parent Coor. wants each room parent to have a $25. budget for the year for decoration and supplies. That's $400 a year!! What are your thoughts on this...
