Re: Class mom email

I'm the class mom for DS's K class. We were told that we should collect for class gifts at the beginning of the year to cover 3 gift giving occasions (December holidays, Teacher's Appreciation in May, and end of year). But we were told at our initial class mom meeting that the collection for the gift-giving fund had to be optional. It couldn't be mandatory.

I know that I made clear in my class communications that I was asking for $20 per child, but it was completely optional and also any contribution in any amount would be appreciated. I don't know everyone's financial situation, but I didn't want to out people on the spot.

We have 4 parties a year. As class mom, I was hold to handle it how I wanted (do a collection uofront, get volunteers to bring things in for parties, etc). My DS's teacher doesn't want all parents at each party, she assigns 4-5 parents to each. So I plan the parties around the theme and then ask the parents attending that party to bring in various items (paper goods, food, drink, etc). It's worked our pretty well. Of course, I have probably contributed more than most since I attend all parties and bring the craft and usually some of food to each. But I knew that would be the case when I volunteered for the job.

Its a tough balance to not ask too much of parents but try to do as much as possible for the kids.

I try to be transparent about the money as class mom - we have multiple adults, teachers, aides, lunch monitors, etc who work with my son's class, so I emailed the parents a list of what I bought fir each one with the class gift funds, how much it cost, and what I have left for the future and how I plan to use it. I dint want people to wonder how the money they sent in is being allocated.

Re: Class mom email

I'm a class mom this year and I have been one twice before. I'm actually really confused by this thread! Why were people annoyed? What exactly was the class mom supposed to do - fund the entire class gift and cover all party overages? How could parents be annoyed at having to contribute towards a party for their own kids? I honestly don't see anything rude about this at all - if people don't have money to contribute it's not like she is saying their kids can't come to the party if they don't bring something. I actually feel bad for the class mom - only 6 out of 20 parents! That's terrible. In that situation they should just forego a class gift and let families do it individually. Also, if the initial funds didn't cover all the party costs I don't think the class mom should have to chalk up all the money and party supplies for all of your kids. As the class mom - it's her job to send these types of emails.

With that said - in our school we are only allowed to collect once a year (you can choose either a holiday gift or end of year). We can only ask for $5 per family but, usually most families are much more generous. With that said, almost everyone does individual gifts as well. With respect to the parties - we don't ask for a monetary contribution. There is a party sign-up sheet the beginning of the year and any mom that signs up to bring something to the party (the food, paper goods etc.) gets to come to the party. Most spots are filled and the class mom just fills in the extras.