Parties

Please ensure that all parents coordinating classroom parties understand these guidelines:

● Talk with your teacher: Ask your teacher what time they would like to have the party. Ask the teacher if he/she has already planned party-related activities/games or if he/she has recommendations. Review all activities and snacks with the teacher for approval. I also recommend that you ask the teacher if the class is more craft or game focused. This will help you customize your party to the students in your class.

● Be mindful of the budget: Make sure you know what your budget is for each party and stay within that budget.

● Coordinate with the same grade level Room Reps: If it makes sense, you can work with the Room Reps in other grade level classes to share ideas and buy supplies in bulk.

● Communicate plans: Inform parents and your teacher about the party.

● Ask for volunteers: Room Reps plan and oversee the parties, but should solicit other parent volunteers to help. Parties are parent-driven. Ask for 3-5 parents to volunteer at the party to help with set-up, stations and clean-up. It is also good to ask 1 parent to be the party photographer and upload party pictures to your class Shutterfly site.

● “Adopt A Party”: The individual Room Reps are at liberty to completely plan the classroom parties OR they can choose to ask the class parents to accept the responsibility of planning a party during the school year. If the Room Rep decides they want to seek out class parents to plan a party, the following are helpful suggestions:

• Ask the class parents to “Adopt A Party” where they would completely plan that party OR break down the party needs, i.e., games, food, crafts, and ask the class parents to volunteer to plan that area of the party.

• Send out an email/spreadsheet (a template is available on our Room Rep Shutterfly site) listing the various parties throughout the year for that grade level. This can be done at the beginning of the school year after orientation or at any time during the school year.

• Provide the volunteer class parents with an email list, but remind them that it is confidential and to use the “bcc” when sending emails.

• As the Room Rep, you will continue to oversee and follow up with the parents that have volunteered and check that everything is going as planned.

● Younger siblings: Per school policy, please inform parent volunteers that they are not allowed to bring younger siblings to class parties.

● Plan a party snack: Inquire about any food allergies in the class so you can buy an appropriate snack. Parents of kids with allergies may want to send in an individual snack that is similar to what you are serving to the class. All party food should be store-bought and in unopened packages.

● Plan activities: Use the Internet, magazines, other Room Reps, and teachers as resources for party ideas. Suggested stations include one snack station, one arts and crafts station (avoid particularly messy projects), and one or more stations for games. You may also provide music.

● Prepare crafts: Try out crafts prior to the party to ensure that they are appropriate for the skill level of the class and work well. Prepare all materials for crafts in advance to save time during the party.

● Keep favors simple: If you opt for additional favors, please make sure they are simple and inexpensive. Remember this is optional.

● Set-up and clean-up: Room Reps and parent volunteers are responsible for party set-up and clean-up.

Reminders

● Snacks must meet the Wellness Policy (BP 5030): one unhealthy snack per party

● Check with your teacher about allergies and plan accordingly

● 1-2 weeks prior to your party either send out a sign-up sheet on Konstella or post a paper version outside the classroom

• Send follow-up messages regarding your sign-up sheet

• Ask for snacks, drinks, party supplies and volunteers (2-3 helpers and 1 photographer)

● Email party reminders to parents and post the party details on Konstella

BP 5030 Student Wellness

School staff shall encourage parents/guardians or other volunteers to support the district's nutrition education program by considering nutritional quality when selecting any snacks which they may donate for occasional class parties and by limiting foods or beverages that do not meet nutritional standards to no more than one food or beverage per party. Class parties or celebrations shall be held after the lunch period when possible.