Apr 22nd, 2008
Preschool Birthday Party
My daughter got yet another birthday invitation sent home with her from school today. We get lots of them and it’s fun to go and meet the kids outside of school and actually meet their parents, too.
I looked at it and thought, hmmmm . . . Monday is a weird day for a birthday party. Then I looked further and thought, hmmmm . . . 10:00 a.m. is a weird time for a birthday party. Then I thought, wow . . . nobody’s going to be going to that party - 10:00 a.m. on a school day? What was this mother thinking? Then, I read on . . . and thought “What the hell?!”
The location of the party . . . my daughter’s preschool classroom. Yup - a mother scheduled her kid’s birthday party for during the school day in my daughter’s classroom! Said specifically that it was during school hours and that parents are not required to attend. Are you friggin’ kidding me?!
Um, TOTALLY NOT OK! This is a Montessori preschool - not a daycare - and I’m paying for it. The kids have fun, and they learn a lot. I love their little class parties and celebrations and always attend and volunteer. But I do not think it’s OK for a kid to have his birthday party in the classroom during the school day. There are 20 kids in that classroom - I think it’s a bad idea to set that precedent - for many many reasons.
I am VERY surprised Princess’s teacher agreed to it. I will definitely have to ask her about it when I drop Princess of at school.
UPDATE: Turns out Princess’s teacher did NOT agree to it. She said no. Then the mom went and asked the school administrator, who said yes. When Teacher said no again, administrator said yes, you will do this. WTH! So the mom goes above her kid’s teacher? Wow, that creates a great relationship. Administrator was not there this a.m. So now I get to have a conversation with her this afternoon to see why this is OK. AND, the party is at 10:00 a.m. . . . morning recess and snack are from 9:15-10:00. 10:00-11:30 is their morning work time . . . so the whole morning work time is some kid’s birthday party. We all know I love birthdays - and I love to celebrate birthdays - but I’m so not OK with this. Bring the treat like everyone else.
So what do you think?
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So if you don’t want to buy a gift for this spoiled little child, your kid has to skip school? WTH? I’m with you TOTALLY NOT OK!
I’m with you on this one. I can’t believe her school allowed it. I explain to parents that we will recognize birthdays and I will pass out a treat, but we are not doing parties- we are about learning, etc. And that is a public school…..if I were paying for school I would not want parties beyond the school celebrations. Not cool!
I’m impressed with the Mother’s creativeness. With that said…she’s freaking nuts. That would not make me happy!
i would check your child’s daily schedule to see if the time that is being alotted for the “celebration” is either snack time or outside time and not a minute longer into their daily lessons. you are paying tuition for your child to learn not get hopped up on sugar. you should not feel obligated to send a gift..that is outrageous.
i use to own a preschool and i would have NEVER allowed such a thing. we allowed a birthday treat (healthy muffins or fruit and veggies with dip) to be served at snack time and often a parent would bring in little gift bags for the children HOWEVER the ONLY time spent on this birthday celebration was snack time…some of the classes had recess immediatly following snack time and i would allow the parents to bring in a pinata or magician or something for that time only. birthday celebrations never crept into lesson time…EVER!!
you have every right to ask for more details on this “party” and make sure that it does not interfere with your child’s education.
pssst i am so glad you got your blog fixed i have been reading you in google reader but have not been able to access you directly. i hate not being able to comment!!
Totally unacceptable! I am a firm believer that the teacher of the classroom has full reign over their classroom (unless they are totally out there). She just taught her child that it is ok to whine and complain if you don’t get what you want. In preschool I do buy the special plates/napkins/cups so they can use them for their special snack and I send a camera in so the teachers can take a couple pictures. But nothing goes beyond snack time. In public school the teachers don’t like anything that takes away from class time so again, the special snack comes at snack time. If their life outside of school is so busy they can’t work in a birthday party then they need to make some new priorities.
That is CRAZY! Seriously!!
Wow, I am totally with you on this. It is a shame that the teacher and administration can’t agree and even a bigger shame that the administration can not se what is in the best interest for the class.
OMG that is soooo wrong!
So does she expect gifts? I can’t believe it. I’ve heard of bringing a treat on your birthday for your friends, not vice versa!
UNHEARD of! First of all, the mother needs to be shot in the foot for even THINKING it would be okay in the first place. Then, she needs to be shot in the other foot for going around the teacher! I canNOT believe the admin circumvented the teacher. I also can’t believe the admin thinks a party AT SCHOOL, during work time is acceptable. What is wrong with this person “in charge”?! What about asking other parents how they feel about this? Perhaps you all could rally to defend your position. Being a former teacher, I would be LIVID with admin for allowing any of this to happen, and I’d be finding a new job next year, b/c I could not, would not work under someone who doesn’t stand behind me.
Holy crap!! That is NERVY. I guess it’s her way of ensuring that her kid has a turnout! Wow. No, I wouldn’t be okay with that. The idea of every kid bringing a present to school is obnoxious. It means not only are you and every other parent helping her pay for the party facility, but you’re also paying for a gift. Are you helping her pay for the cake too???
What kind of mother would be so pretentious? Absolutey not ok! And the administrator should be ashamed of herself for setting up a precedent like that AND going over the teacher’s head.