https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 13 Apr 2026 16:44:36 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778448 Mon, 09 Oct 2017 16:33:05 +0000 Mrsbells 2778448@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone!</p> <p>@bloved: Yeah my daughter is 5 and she doesnt really understand if we aren't there and really wants us to be at everything because there are some parents who are able to attend most if not all things.</p> <p>@MamaCate: yeah it just really adds up after a while! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778274 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 18:26:35 +0000 bloved 2778274@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ShootingStar: I think because there are so many events, there is not ONE event that every parent is at (so no kid is all alone being the only one who doesn't have a parent there). </p> <p>That being said, I do understand the frustration. my son's Halloween parade at daycare is in the morning and I wish it was the afternoon because I can't take the morning off. I just think there is no *good* answer for schools that fit everyone so they default to offering a lot so hopefully you can make something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778262 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 16:06:31 +0000 MamaCate 2778262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: we started K this year too. I feel like the school does have activities but seems to get that many parents work, so lots of things are on Friday nights. For example they had a book fair already one week but the Friday night before was the kickoff parents could attend. I was able to volunteer one lunch shift too but I think they only had about 15-20 parents volunteer over the week.</p> <p>They had a science night on a Friday too and have a Halloween thing at the end of the month. We bought a t shirt and school pictures but nothing else. Oh we made a donation to the PTO. It has seemed reasonable so far.</p> <p>I would share your frustration at all the events during the school day. It is hard to juggle everything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778257 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 14:09:09 +0000 ShootingStar 2778257@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bloved: What about how the kid feels - events all the time that other parents are at, but not yours, because yours could only come to one?</p> <p>I hate these kind of expectations. I have a stressful job and can’t always be flexible. I was a few minutes late to a Mother’s Day event at daycare and my son was bawling when I got there because all the other parents were there and he thought I wasn’t coming. And it’s not going to get easier at work as we go though elementary school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778232 Sun, 08 Oct 2017 00:27:26 +0000 808love 2778232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Events once a month or every other. Fundraisers are typically once a quarter. We just put it in the planner as soon as the notice comes up and then decline other events or expenses accordingly. It also has to be something we all want to attend or parent who is really into it will do it with DD. And for the $ we only give what we want. Then it is just not like work or a hardship but a real commitment. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778173 Sat, 07 Oct 2017 06:06:29 +0000 delight 2778173@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We haven't had a lot of activities that parents were invited to. They have been on a field trip though. I do find, however, there are so many things they're asking for money for. Pizza lunch, popcorn days, book orders, a fresh produce fundraiser.... Every other day I find a letter in her backpack asking for money for something. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778171 Sat, 07 Oct 2017 04:37:50 +0000 bloved 2778171@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son's not in elementary yet, but I teach in an elementary school. Just to give the other side, I don't think they are expecting you to attend everything. I am thinking that maybe there are so many events in the hope that each parent might be able to make it to *one* thing (ie- the more events, the more opportunity that one of them might fit in your schedule). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778158 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 20:24:53 +0000 travellingbee 2778158@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not really anything during the day. We've had a few optional things like coming in to read to the class and on Fridays you can walk your kid in to the classroom rather than just drop at carpool, but lots of people don't. But we're in an urban school and though we have a strong PTA and lots of the PTA board members stay at home, I'd say we have fewer stay at home moms than many schools in the suburbs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778132 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 15:27:36 +0000 Mrsbells 2778132@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Yeah I would much rather just do that!<br /> @yoursilverlining: Yes I am the same way and dont want to overdo it on working from home </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778129 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 15:06:54 +0000 yoursilverlining 2778129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We are only a month in; but so far no activities scheduled during the school day for parents to attend. There has already been a mum’s order/fundraiser and there is going to be a “Taste of XX School” dessert night next month where kids and parents bake, but that will be easy enough to bake the night before and then just go after work to attend. I don’t mind giving them money, but time is in short supply lol I work 30 minutes from her school so it wouldn’t be easy to just pop over to attend something. I do have some flexibility to WFH but don’t like to abuse that privilege. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778123 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 14:37:01 +0000 Mamaof2 2778123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: we also don't fundraise - instead at the start of the year they ask that each family donate $35-$50 to the school - way better than fundraising!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778122 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 14:34:43 +0000 Mamaof2 2778122@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: yes </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778121 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 14:32:51 +0000 Mrsbells 2778121@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: thats sounds great! is it a public school? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778109 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 13:50:28 +0000 Mamaof2 2778109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No - everything is on weekends (picnics, hay rides, etc)</p> <p>The only thing during the school day is for Celebrate Education Week where you can go in the classroom for 45 mins and watch the class </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778066 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:57:50 +0000 Mrsbells 2778066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mamabolt: I know right! I think it will take some getting used to. I'm so accustomed to the daycare model with a lot fewer events during the day </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778063 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:50:25 +0000 mamabolt 2778063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes! So many activities already! I WFH most of the time but even then it’s so hard balancing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778057 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:21:55 +0000 Mrsbells 2778057@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: yes both are jobs are flexible so we are able to make it for somethings, just not everything </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778055 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:20:07 +0000 looch 2778055@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Is your job at all flexible if you have advanced notice? I mean, if you want to get involved, don't be deterred by the majority. It just takes one person to speak up and I think you'll be surprised by the results!</p> <p>Most of my coworkers have children, so they get it. If anyone gave me a hard time, I would work it out with my manager. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778054 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:16:48 +0000 Mrsbells 2778054@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: yes it is rough and co workers without children mentally eyeroll at all the school related time off. Its hard. we also try to alternate and try not to feel guilty. Some days its easier than other days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778052 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:14:53 +0000 Mrsbells 2778052@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@FancyGem: yes! just this week they got "free" shirts for a fun run but we had to fundraise and each child had a minimum goal of $40 but the average expected was $150 to $250.</p> <p>@2littlepumpkins: Yeah I think I will look for opportunities to voice my opinion </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778051 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:13:41 +0000 Anagram 2778051@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: Our school is like this, and we try to split the events as much as we can, but also, I don't really feel guilty when I just can't make certain things. My husband DOES feel the guilt though, so he tries harder to juggle the events. Sometime I just feel meh about the events, so I just have no buy in. Also, I have always worked in public schools, so I know there's usually only about 50% participation or less in basically any event, so my child won't be left out or the only one without a parent there.</p> <p>Last week, for example, they had a "Dads take their kids to school" day with unspecified classroom events from 8:30-9:30. My issue with this is 1) if Dads are at school till 9:30, then they aren't getting to work until 10-10:30. That kind of sucks for people that have specific working hours. 2) my husband walks our daughter to school every single day, but takes her to before care before 8 am. So he can get to work on time. So he's already an involved parent, doesn't need a special day to get him to walk her to school, but DOES need to be to work on time.<br /> :bummed:<br /> Our PTA meeting is during the school day (AKA work hours). Halloween parade coming up mid morning at like 10 am. Winter Break holiday show for parents is also mid morning. </p> <p>Coupled with the numerous early dismissals our school has (a 1 pm dismissal at least once a month, and sometimes more often for holidays), and our kids' illnesses, and we seem to be taking off work constantly.</p> <p>It's rough. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778048 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:09:12 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2778048@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrsbells: yeah I am very PT so lucky in that regard. But we are expecting #3 in a few months and I don't know how available I will be with two other napping kids, we'll see. I think you can rest assured most parents are also working and not there for every single event. I am trying to be involved but not the mom that's there ALL the time because frankly I don't think that's even what's best for my LO. I agree you should speak up, I bet everyone else is thinking it! ❤️ </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778047 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:08:32 +0000 FancyGem 2778047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, I've noticed this. There is always need for money or a t-shirt for an event. lol He hasn't received a report card yet, but so far I've brought 2 shirts and sent money for different events. He's in Kindergarten at a public school. I work my own business from home, but it is difficult to leave to go to daytime events sometimes because I have to get stuff done. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778045 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 11:04:15 +0000 Mrsbells 2778045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@2littlepumpkins: @looch: Glad I am not the only one.<br /> I have thought about volunteering but usually most of the people who are the most active and have the majority vote are the ones who work from home or have more flexibility during their works schedules. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778042 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:58:13 +0000 looch 2778042@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son is in first grade, he goes to a public elementary school. </p> <p>What I noticed is that yes, the timing is difficult for a person that works a job that is 9-5, but if it's important enough, I am going to be available. Every month last year the kids had a monthly reflection meeting, I didn't attend one. This year, they will do "hosting" where certain classes will be featured (as a response to attendance issues) and I think it will be very well received.</p> <p>Otherwise, I would estimate I was in the school about once a month at least. I made sure that I got the most bang for my buck though, by ensuring that those times I was volunteering directly in my son's class. My son, the kids, the teacher and I got more out of that than by me sitting in the auditorium and that's how I am choosing to prioritize my time.</p> <p>If you really want to make a difference, I encourage you to speak up! Volunteer for a PTO committee and drive the changes you want to see. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778040 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:43:54 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2778040@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>They have a lot of activities but we don't necessarily need to be there. I go for volunteer times and I went to a muffins with mom thing that was 7-8am. there was a "parents welcome" thing yesterday and I was home but didn't go and figured most parents wouldn't because of work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/is-your-elementary-school-constantly-having-activities#post-2778039 Fri, 06 Oct 2017 10:39:26 +0000 Mrsbells 2778039@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DD started kindergarten this fall and she loves it. So far it seems that they are constantly organizing things that require parents to stop by the school at awkward times of the day to support/cheer/be present for their child. While I love being involved it just feels like a lot in short time frame. It seems like the whole model of elementary school and all the activities works really well for a stay at home parent or atleast someone who works very close by to the school who is available during the day for these constant events. Coincidentally many of the PTA team that decide a lot of these events are stay at home/work out of home parents</p> <p>How do you guys make it work? </p>