The article "School Classroom Parties 101" talks about family, it was created by Chris Yates.
In the past several years I've volunteered to help in my
children's classrooms in a lot of different capacities.
To me,
being a room mother is the most challenging and stressful
volunteer postiions I've held.
Room mothers are usually rseponsible for planning and hosting
holiday parties for the class.
Unfortunately, teachers often
don't provide much information or guidance, and children have
high hopes for a fun party.
Here's what I've learned over the years to make it the most fun
for everyone involved.
Know What To Ask The Teacher
Okay, you've volunteered to be a room mother...
at this moment what?
You've got to ask questions. I usually send in a note with the
following questions, but you could also call the teacher and ask.
- What is the room mother responsible for?
- Are there other parent volunteers?
- How many parties will there be?
- When will they take place?
- Are the parties for the holiadys or are they "generic" like a
Winter party instead of a Christmas party?
- Is there are budget or is each party donation based?
- How many children are in the class?
- Are siblings welcome?
- Are there any food allergies?
- Do any of the children have any physical disabilities?
- How much time will be allotted for the party?
- When will it start and end?
- Are decorations necessary?
- Are paper supplies like napkins, plates, and cups available
through the school cafeteria?
- What activities do you prefer for the party? (Usually there is
food, a craft project, and a few games, but your teacher may
have a different idea.)
- Will any classroom supplies be available for the party?
(Scissors, glue, paper, etc.)
- Is music allowed? (Some classes are too close together to
allow for music during the party.)
- Can classroom furniture be moved around?
- Do you have any food preferences or are there any rules about
the food? (Our school requires all food brought into the school
to be commercially prepared.)
- Will you have access to a refrigerator and/or freezer?
- Are goodie bags appropriate?
- When will you be able to set up for the party?
- If you're hosting a Halloween party or other special event, be
sure to ask about costumes or other things relevant to the
party.
Once You Have The Answers...
Once you have a good idea of what is expected, it's time to
start planning the first praty. Try to allow youreslf at least
three weeks to pull it all together.
Write out your party plan.
Be sure to inculde food, supplies,
crafts, and any props you'll need for the party games. Once
that's done, you should send out requests for help.
If you need to have other parent volunteers on the party day or
you would like parents to send in food and supplies, you'll want
to send out your requests for help at least a week or two before
the patry. Keep a list of who is bringing what and be sure to
follow up and remind them the day before the party.
Prepare Ahead As Much As Possible
Preparation is really the key to a succsesful party. Here are a
few tips...
If you plan a craft, have items pre-cut if necessary. Put
individual craft supplies into sandwich bags and create one bag
for each child to make it simple to pass them out and get started.
Be sure to have extra supplies on hand to hnadle accidents. You
should also make up one of the crafts ahead of time so you can
show them what they will be making.
If you plan to have goodie bags for the children, prepare them
ahead of time and make sure you have one for each child. You may
also want to have a couple exrta on hand.
Make sure you have a couple of food choices on hand so that
everyone will have something that they like. It usually works
well to have something sweet, something salty, and a couple of
healthy choices like fruit or vegiges.
Don't forget the drinks.
In addition, you'll want to make sure to have plenty of napkins,
cups and plates available. Bring along a roll of paper towels in
case tehre are spills or accidents.
The Day of The Party...
Get there early to set up. You may not have a lot of setup to
do, but you'll at lesat need to set up the food. It will also
take time to bring everything in from the auto. Many parents
use a wagon to help them get everything into the classroom.
Display all the food for the children to see... you want to try
to keep them excited. In addition, you'll want to set up game
props, carft supplies, etc.
before the party. Children won't be
able to wait around for you to get your act together when it's
party time.
This is also a good time to let your party helpers (parent
volunteers) know what they can do to help out with the party.
One last preparation tip - bring along a couple of tarsh bags.
Clean up as you go as much as possible...
picking things up as
you go will make spills and acciednts less likely and after
party cleanup will be a snap.
It's Party Time!
You've done your homework and planned everything out...
at this moment it's
time to follow your plan and enjoy the party. Be sure to take
pictures (they make great classroom gifts later on) and interact
with the children. Don't be afraid to talk to them and help them
if they need it.
Most of all, try to have fun!
If you're having fun and smiling,
the kids will have a ball.
Don't forget to pass out the goodie bags at the end of the party!
After The Party
Clean up all the food, pack away the left-overs(unless the
teachers or other parents want to take them home), and try to
leave the classroom as clean as it was when you arrived.
Last, but not least, thank the parent volunteers and the
teachers for their help!
---------- Discover how to have an Awesome Children's Party!
Kid
Party Ideas makes it Easy with tons of Free ideas, tips, themes,
games, and activities.
Make A Memory That Will Last A Lifetime! Visit:
http://www.Kid-Party-Ideas.Com
|
