mae0111, I totally gave up on volunteering last year. I got sucked in and things dumped on me when DD was in 1st. I left the last thing I volunteered for in tears as I got thrown into a last second setup, organize, and run it and then the staff got mad at me because it wasn't how they wanted it. Last year I went to PTO meetings but said NO a lot. The president tried to shove the whole thing on me and I was no I can't do it alone and one of the teachers backed me up. I'm kind of interested to see if what we got going is going to hold up for the next couple months or if we all say screw it due to the push back from the principle. The teachers and staff we talked to yesterday loved what we were thinking and were just happy to see people wanting to get involved.
librarychica that is horrible news. How is your DD doing? What is the school doing for all the kiddos?
mae0111, I only volunteer for discrete events and only at one of the kids' PTOs. The one who appreciates the volunteers the most. Otherwise I just send supplies and money when it is asked for.
Post by mustardseed2007 on Oct 8, 2019 16:36:58 GMT -5
I'm currently in volunteering hell with helping to organize a fundraising event at my kids school. So far we have only 1 sponsor. 4 have promised but not come through with anything. I don't have time for this crap.
But also I am co room mom for DS and I am finding myself doing the extra stuff the other parents in other grades do because well...the other grades do it. I had no idea. Apparently doing a class budget and creating a class fund is a thing? I'm not familiar with this concept but apparently its how other grades do it at our school. Go figure.
I'm currently in volunteering hell with helping to organize a fundraising event at my kids school. So far we have only 1 sponsor. 4 have promised but not come through with anything. I don't have time for this crap.
But also I am co room mom for DS and I am finding myself doing the extra stuff the other parents in other grades do because well...the other grades do it. I had no idea. Apparently doing a class budget and creating a class fund is a thing? I'm not familiar with this concept but apparently its how other grades do it at our school. Go figure.
What is the class budget and class fund?
I was co-room person last year and was surprised to find that I had to fund the crafts and fun stuff for class parties. The snack came from the overall PTO budget, but everything else came from the room moms. I am imagining the class fund might be to pay for that stuff?
I'm currently in volunteering hell with helping to organize a fundraising event at my kids school. So far we have only 1 sponsor. 4 have promised but not come through with anything. I don't have time for this crap.
But also I am co room mom for DS and I am finding myself doing the extra stuff the other parents in other grades do because well...the other grades do it. I had no idea. Apparently doing a class budget and creating a class fund is a thing? I'm not familiar with this concept but apparently its how other grades do it at our school. Go figure.
What is the class budget and class fund?
I was co-room person last year and was surprised to find that I had to fund the crafts and fun stuff for class parties. The snack came from the overall PTO budget, but everything else came from the room moms. I am imagining the class fund might be to pay for that stuff?
Yes that is exactly what it does.
I asked around and got some sample budgets and then asked around to find out what other classes were doing as far as contribution amounts. I've done lots of research for this to try to cover all the bases and not ask for too much or too little money...I hate stuff like this b/c you never know what is going to be too much for some people/what other people will think or how they'll feel about things.
ETA: But that beats paying for everything ourselves!!
mustardseed2007, greenmonkey1, Our room parents send home a sign up genius with requests for supplies. They don't buy it themselves or collect cash. It's been the same couple moms for the last few years and they have mentioned that if you can't drop off actual food or supplies, you could do a $5 or $10 gift card to the grocery store or something. But I think generally people just send in the supplies.
Also our PTA helps fund class parties in a cool way. We picked one recurring activity - our "school store" event - and decided that each year, whatever money we raise from that thing gets split evenly among however many classes we have that year. Our school store is a chance for kids to buy little trinkets and junk for super cheap. So it doesn't raise a ton of money, but a decent amount. This year, each class got like $75 to start the year off with that teachers and room parents can spend on whatever makes the most sense over the course of the year for that year's events/supplies.
I'm co-room parent for DS1's kindergarten class. We collect $20 per kid (voluntary of course) in class funds that are used for the jogathon t-shirts, teacher gifts, and a few incidentals. Everything else has a sign-up sheet on our class shutterfly page. So the other room mom and I planned the fall party and set up a sign up list for everything to be brought in. I did volunteer to pay for supplies for a couple of the games because I'm making then, but that was voluntary.
I'm co-room parent for DS1's kindergarten class. We collect $20 per kid (voluntary of course) in class funds that are used for the jogathon t-shirts, teacher gifts, and a few incidentals. Everything else has a sign-up sheet on our class shutterfly page. So the other room mom and I planned the fall party and set up a sign up list for everything to be brought in. I did volunteer to pay for supplies for a couple of the games because I'm making then, but that was voluntary.
How many kids in y’alls kinder class?
We have 10 kids is it’s not a lot unless we do a higher amount per person. That was part of my struggle.
librarychica - that’s terrible. How is your DD doing after hearing the news?
+1 to this. So sad
It’s a very sad situation. Thank you all for your thoughts. She is struggling some, especially with her classmates emotions, if that makes sense. She’s sad for her teacher, of course, but I actually think she just finds the emotions of many people to be exhausting.
It’s supposed to get really cold here on Thursday, but for the next 3 days it will be 70’s and 80’s. The kids so kindly stripped my garden ahead of last night’s frost. Except they carved and squished the green tomatoes. Oh well, my garden was so sad this year for some reason. Highly disappointing.
I’m antsy to get our vacation for next year all planned out. We use miles so until we have a credit card bonus (next month) I can’t book. But, the current plan is to start in Czechia, go to Poland, then Slovakia with a day trip into Austria, ending in Hungary. I’m stoked if I can make it all work out. The kids are way more excited about this trip than the original plan which was a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Not gonna lie, so am I. Travel is like my drug, I’m addicted.
I'm so jealous of your vacation plans! My best friend and I went on a group travel trip to those countries in 2008, and it was amazing! We went to the Czech Republic, though, not Czechia. I really enjoyed Eastern Europe. Poland and Hungary were amazing! I'm pretty sure it was in Hungary (maybe Budapest?) where they have a long line of polar bears that are decorated with the flags/designs for lots of different countries. I know it sounds crazy, but if you find them you will totally understand what I'm talking about. I want to say they were located in "Old Town." We took pictures in front of the USA bear and bears of countries we had been to as well. Austria is great, too! We went in these salt mines in Slovakia, and the carvings and caverns in those mines were unbelievable! This might be creepy to admit here, but we also went on a group tour of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau while we were in Poland, and it was hands-down the most transforming thing I have ever experienced. Our guide was from the town and had relatives who lived there during World War II, so his perspective and stories and insights were amazing to hear. I don't know how old your kids are, as I wouldn't recommend it for young children, but if they are in high school I would highly recommend it. That content has always been one of my passion areas, though, and I have taught classes about it at gifted camps and things like that, and I understand it's not for everyone. Just wanted to put my two cents in because I always want people to give me recommendations about places I'm going if they have already been there, so I try to do the same for others.
It’s a very sad situation. Thank you all for your thoughts. She is struggling some, especially with her classmates emotions, if that makes sense. She’s sad for her teacher, of course, but I actually think she just finds the emotions of many people to be exhausting.
It’s supposed to get really cold here on Thursday, but for the next 3 days it will be 70’s and 80’s. The kids so kindly stripped my garden ahead of last night’s frost. Except they carved and squished the green tomatoes. Oh well, my garden was so sad this year for some reason. Highly disappointing.
I’m antsy to get our vacation for next year all planned out. We use miles so until we have a credit card bonus (next month) I can’t book. But, the current plan is to start in Czechia, go to Poland, then Slovakia with a day trip into Austria, ending in Hungary. I’m stoked if I can make it all work out. The kids are way more excited about this trip than the original plan which was a road trip to the Grand Canyon. Not gonna lie, so am I. Travel is like my drug, I’m addicted.
I'm so jealous of your vacation plans! My best friend and I went on a group travel trip to those countries in 2008, and it was amazing! We went to the Czech Republic, though, not Czechia. I really enjoyed Eastern Europe. Poland and Hungary were amazing! I'm pretty sure it was in Hungary (maybe Budapest?) where they have a long line of polar bears that are decorated with the flags/designs for lots of different countries. I know it sounds crazy, but if you find them you will totally understand what I'm talking about. I want to say they were located in "Old Town." We took pictures in front of the USA bear and bears of countries we had been to as well. Austria is great, too! We went in these salt mines in Slovakia, and the carvings and caverns in those mines were unbelievable! This might be creepy to admit here, but we also went on a group tour of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau while we were in Poland, and it was hands-down the most transforming thing I have ever experienced. Our guide was from the town and had relatives who lived there during World War II, so his perspective and stories and insights were amazing to hear. I don't know how old your kids are, as I wouldn't recommend it for young children, but if they are in high school I would highly recommend it. That content has always been one of my passion areas, though, and I have taught classes about it at gifted camps and things like that, and I understand it's not for everyone. Just wanted to put my two cents in because I always want people to give me recommendations about places I'm going if they have already been there, so I try to do the same for others.
So Czechia is just what the Czech Republic is apparently called now. . Plan is Prague, Wroclaw, Krakow, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest. My kids will be 8.5, 11, and almost 14. We are planning to visit Auschwitz, I think it’s such an important piece of history. I went to Dachau when I was studying abroad in college and it was really powerful. My kids are a little young, but since DH and I are both huge WWII history buffs they know quite a bit of the history so I think it will be powerful for them to see it.
We are planning on the salt mines. I’ll have to remember to find the polar bears, that sounds fun. Apparently there are gnomes to find in one of the cities (can’t remember which right now), and I think my kids will like that.
OMG I am so glad we don't have room moms. Our school isn't allowed to celebrate anything so teachers can't throw parties. The most fun the kids get to do is pajama day with a movie.
A way to help teachers raise money for their class is to sponsor popcorn days. Our school the teachers sponsor popcorn days (get parent help & advertise), PTO buys supplies, and then whatever money is raised the teacher keeps for their class fun money. I've seen it used for special art projects, field trips, even having a specialist come into the class to talk. Mrs. J pays the raptor center to come in and talk to her 1st grade class and they bring in an owl.
Update on my own PTO drama the current president doesn't want to give it up and is throwing a big snit saying we have to follow whatever she says and can't do anything new until she is ready to leave. Ugh school politics!
It’s a very sad situation. Thank you all for your thoughts. She is struggling some, especially with her classmates emotions, if that makes sense. She’s sad for her teacher, of course, but I actually think she just finds the emotions of many people to be exhausting.
That makes total sense. I totally understand how overwhelming that could be. What a tough life experience to go through at such a young age.
I'm so jealous of your vacation plans! My best friend and I went on a group travel trip to those countries in 2008, and it was amazing! We went to the Czech Republic, though, not Czechia. I really enjoyed Eastern Europe. Poland and Hungary were amazing! I'm pretty sure it was in Hungary (maybe Budapest?) where they have a long line of polar bears that are decorated with the flags/designs for lots of different countries. I know it sounds crazy, but if you find them you will totally understand what I'm talking about. I want to say they were located in "Old Town." We took pictures in front of the USA bear and bears of countries we had been to as well. Austria is great, too! We went in these salt mines in Slovakia, and the carvings and caverns in those mines were unbelievable! This might be creepy to admit here, but we also went on a group tour of Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau while we were in Poland, and it was hands-down the most transforming thing I have ever experienced. Our guide was from the town and had relatives who lived there during World War II, so his perspective and stories and insights were amazing to hear. I don't know how old your kids are, as I wouldn't recommend it for young children, but if they are in high school I would highly recommend it. That content has always been one of my passion areas, though, and I have taught classes about it at gifted camps and things like that, and I understand it's not for everyone. Just wanted to put my two cents in because I always want people to give me recommendations about places I'm going if they have already been there, so I try to do the same for others.
So Czechia is just what the Czech Republic is apparently called now. . Plan is Prague, Wroclaw, Krakow, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest. My kids will be 8.5, 11, and almost 14. We are planning to visit Auschwitz, I think it’s such an important piece of history. I went to Dachau when I was studying abroad in college and it was really powerful. My kids are a little young, but since DH and I are both huge WWII history buffs they know quite a bit of the history so I think it will be powerful for them to see it.
We are planning on the salt mines. I’ll have to remember to find the polar bears, that sounds fun. Apparently there are gnomes to find in one of the cities (can’t remember which right now), and I think my kids will like that.
Good to know! I didn't know it was called Czechia now, but it's been a while since I was there! I've also been to Mauthausen, and I agree about the experience being powerful. I also love WWII history, so I'm glad to know someone else likes it as much as me! I talked to my friend about the polar bears exhibit, and she reminded me we saw them when we were in Warsaw. I looked them up, and it's an exhibit called Buddy Bears that I think is a traveling exhibit. So you might want to check to see if they are in any of the cities you are visiting. I included a picture so you can hopefully see what some of them look like. The picture shows the backs of the bears with people walking around looking at them. They are really neat and fun to look at, and I like that they incorporate specific things about each country in the design.
So Czechia is just what the Czech Republic is apparently called now. . Plan is Prague, Wroclaw, Krakow, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest. My kids will be 8.5, 11, and almost 14. We are planning to visit Auschwitz, I think it’s such an important piece of history. I went to Dachau when I was studying abroad in college and it was really powerful. My kids are a little young, but since DH and I are both huge WWII history buffs they know quite a bit of the history so I think it will be powerful for them to see it.
We are planning on the salt mines. I’ll have to remember to find the polar bears, that sounds fun. Apparently there are gnomes to find in one of the cities (can’t remember which right now), and I think my kids will like that.
Good to know! I didn't know it was called Czechia now, but it's been a while since I was there! I've also been to Mauthausen, and I agree about the experience being powerful. I also love WWII history, so I'm glad to know someone else likes it as much as me! I talked to my friend about the polar bears exhibit, and she reminded me we saw them when we were in Warsaw. I looked them up, and it's an exhibit called Buddy Bears that I think is a traveling exhibit. So you might want to check to see if they are in any of the cities you are visiting. I included a picture so you can hopefully see what some of them look like. The picture shows the backs of the bears with people walking around looking at them. They are really neat and fun to look at, and I like that they incorporate specific things about each country in the design.
Oh that is cool! We probably won’t be able to get as Far East as warsaw, but maybe it will be in one of the cities we are in when we are there. Thanks for sharing!
Post by supertrooper1 on Oct 12, 2019 21:43:09 GMT -5
waverly, I just got back from the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu. It was nice, although I like the calmer vibe from Maui. We stayed in the Kalia tower which was just a regular hotel room. Beau's mom, sister and brother stayed in a 2 bedroom in the Grand Islander tower. It was very nice and new. They had a king in one room and 2 queens in another with a kitchenette. Their only complaint was that you could feel the building move due to the earthquake proofing.
The resort is nice and a short walk to lots of restaurants. We ate at Tropics and Rocky's Tappenyaki at the resort, along with ice cream at Lapperts. Close by for breakfast is Goofy's and Cinnamon's that I would recommend for breakfast.
We only checked out the pool in our tower. It was only 4 ft deep but nice because it was 18+. The spa was also great. Parking is crazy, so I recommend just renting a car at the hotel for a day or two.
The village and Waikiki have a crowded feel to me, but I still had a great relaxing vacation and can't wait to go back. Probably the Big Island next since I haven't been there.
supertrooper1, Thanks for the info. We will be in the Grand Islander tower, I think. Good to know that it will sway, so we can expect that. I am not sure how high up we are but I am guessing middle ish. It seems like a busy area (and from what I remember being there almost 20 years ago), so I am glad that we were also able to rent a house on a quieter part of the Big Island as well. We did all 4 islands on the last trip- really long ago, but no rentals are really available on Maui and Kauai which were my favorite islands, but it's Hawaii, so we will have a good time regardless! Thanks for the restaurant recommendations.
I think we are doing Polynesian Cultural Center and Pearl Harbor. Probably plan to snorkel on the Big Island. I imagine we'll have to trade off with the kids maybe.
Post by supertrooper1 on Oct 15, 2019 11:08:23 GMT -5
waverly, they were on the 33rd floor, so they could have felt it more. The hotel itself isn't in the busy part of Waikiki, but the resort is crowded, or at least to me it felt crowded. If you're there on a Friday, check out the fireworks on the beach.