We have dances and other school groups also have them. PTO members and some teachers stay and we always invite parents to chaparone. we've never had any problems.
We are considering doing a dance as a fundraiser. This will actually be inconjunciton with 2 other clubs at the school.. We will be incharge of getting the DJ, volunteers, set up, decoration etc.. 1 club will handle the drinks and 1 club will handle the food. This way, hopefully, each of us will come away with some money in our pockets. We are doing this in February, but instead of calling this a Valentines dance we will call it a Red and White Dance. our ages run from 4yrs to 11yrs, so our only concern in timing and do we cut off the bottom end of the age range, or make it a whole school function.
We hold one dance per year at our elementary school. We hire a DJ (teacher from another school who gives us a discounted rate). The DJ can ONLY play "clean" music, (never had a problem with this). It is a family event where parents must attend too (not a babysitting service). We have craft tables (OTC matching the season) manned by volunteers, water provided by PTO (8oz bottles) and snacks provided by attending parents. Staff is invited (usually get ~6 attending) but not required. Rather than calling it a 'dance' we title it a "Festival of Fun". The crafts keep the kids busy when they want to take a break from dancing. Runs for 2 hours and is well received by parents and staff. On a side note, 'mini' dances are held at various times (1-2 per year) during the school day. They are rewards for reaching various goals during the year (Positive Behaviour Rewards). Teachers use a boom box and CD's and the kids dance around and get some energy out of their systems for 30 minutes. A cheap, easy and fun way to reward students. Held during normal recess time so as not to take away from instructional time. Perhaps your teachers will find a "Festival of Fun" less corrupting than a "dance"? Who knows?
We currently have dances at our elementary, however we do require the parents to attend and watch their own children. This is activity is not a free two hour babysitting session. With that in mind we are still having parents sit around and not watch their kids. Is there another activity that would make the parents more involved?
The fact that the teachers don't want the dance is based on the fact that we are "corrupting" these children and forcing them to grow up too fast. It is not that kind of dance. It is a family night. The teachers won't come to the event. They never (with the exception of 1 or 2) come to an event or to a meeting for that matter.
Our elementary school has hosted three "sock hops" and they have been welcomed by the staff and parents. The parents are required to stay for the event. We only allow the DJ to play songs that are on the Kidz Bop cd's and action songs like ymca, twist, macarena, limbo, chicken dance etc. We have such a great turn out and we really have a sock contest, the students and adults wear and decorate socks in advance. Hope you don't give in and cancel this when you have been planning this all school year. Good luck!
