An Elementary School Room Parent Tale

I was a reluctant 2^nd grade room parent, because I was not the original choice of the teacher. The only reason I became room parent in the first place was by necessity. The parents who signed up for the job as room parent all washed out. Since the job was a two parent position, I volunteered another parent that was active in the class with me. I had a good relationship with the teacher and with some of the parents, so I figured communicating with every one would be seamless, and yes I was wrong to think this. Our first holiday party had come and gone since I was appointed room parent after Thanksgiving, I was full steam ahead for the biggest and best Christmas party ever had in 2^nd grade.

I discussed all details of my vision for the party with both my co-room parent and the teacher. We were in agreement on having pizza instead of pot-luck, arts-n-crafts stations including making an ornament, a piñata, and a Kwanzaa booklet. The kids could take turns at each station which included a Dreidel game and a time for gift exchange. It was to be my most magnificent idea put to work ever! Now it was time to communicate my ideas to the parents and beg for donations.

I knew not all parents read their emails, so I sent home a letter as well to cover all my bases. My letter included the where, when, what, and how much money and items parents could donate. Of course after the deadline I gave the parents to respond had past, I still didn't have any money and only one parent confirmed paper cups. So thus began my phone campaign.

I called parents two nights straight and maybe spoke to only one and some that didn't understand English. I confided in my co-room parent and we decided to pick up the slack financially and our teacher was able to contribute as well. Now that we had our financial situation in order, I was able to relax until the day of the party. Everything was in place. We had our 1950's Christmas music playing, the desk were set up for our activity stations, gift bags were accounted for, parent participants arrived, and the food was looking very festive. The class arrived and was given their instructions. The activities included candy cane reindeer tree ornaments, create a mini piñata, play a Dreidel game for a candy prize, and color and paste a Kwanzaa booklet. Although overall the party went well, there were a few mishaps.

First, one of my parents thought my 1950's Christmas music was a bit too nostalgic, so she changed the music and put in her own Christmas CD. At the candy cane station the googly eyes and pom-poms were not sticking because of the glue. This was such an easy station for the kids to complete that they started making more than one (oops, not enough candy canes for that). Next, the piñata table was taking longer than the allotted 15 minutes, so that held up the rotation as well and finally, when it was all over and the pizza party could begin I received a phone call from my husband asking me to pick him up early! (Are you kidding me?) In the midst of leaving I told my room co- room parent to hand out gifts, my daughter to pass out her holiday cards (which took us all night to hand make a different one individually), and I told my grand-parents, who managed to show up, to watch my 15 month old son while I went to pick up his father from work. (You gotta love just sharing one family vehicle)

As I speed off I realize I didn't get any good pictures of the party. I was not able to give the bus driver her gift, or the Girl Scout troop leaders, or any other faculty members for that matter either. By the time I got back, my son was asleep, the children were dismissed, and one of my daughter's classmates told me she didn't give him a hand made Christmas card and walked sadly to his bus. It was safe to say the holiday party was over. My co-room parent eased my mind when she showed me her camera full of pictures of smiling children enjoying their holiday party I thought was a bust and no I haven't had the time yet to get all those pictures off her digital camera.

As she left, I realized how happy I truly was being a room parent, but also looking forward to our two week holiday break from school. Now in the New Year with brand new parties and projects to plan, I am in the midst of planning a robust and well rounded Valentines/Black History celebration. (Here we go again)

Long live the ever patient and creative room parents everywhere! I tip my hat to you all.