"Class Mom's"

DELAGATE or you will do it ALL.

Sign up sheets work well for that age group. Get dates for all parties to be held, find out what is needed, how many volunteers you need and have people sign up to volunteer, bring items, etc.

Believe me, as President of a cheer booster group, delagation is very important. Make it fun so others want to help.

What about just stating something like this in a short letter: "My name is Cheryl, and I am going to be the class mom of our children's class. I am so excited to have the opportunity to work with you to help Ms. H and our children. The first thing that we will be assisting with is organizing and running the Halloween Party on Oct. 28th. I am hoping that together we can come up with some fun activities for our children to celebrate Halloween."

I know that you may want to put more into the letter, but that at least is a start. I would not state that the teacher asked you to be the class mom because you know another momma will have hurt feelings and will be less likely to help out. I would invite other interested parents (not just the moms) to a planning/organizing meeting to get some ideas tossed around. You will want a snack, an activity, a game, etc. You could delegate to other parents so that it is a team effort and everyone feels included.

I hope this helps! Enjoy!

Well....I have been a class mom and I have known many of the helper moms as well.
You can try two approaches:
First (the way I have done it) is to send an email to ALL of the moms saying that you are planning the next XYZ party and to let you know if they want to participate and help with the party. Once you receive the responses, and know the # of "helpers" see if those moms would like to provide and plan a game or a craft. 3 of each is pretty good. Fill in the games and crafts yourself as needed. Orientaltrading.com is a good website for craft kit supplies. Our school does not give a party budget so the moms "bear the burden of the cost" (as O. business owning mom called it as she made lollipop ghosts! LOL).
The second way (which has happened in my school) is to email to see who wants to participate, then assign each mom a specific game or craft to provide/buy/execute with the kids.

Moms prefer the first way!
Ask the teacher about a snack--it's provided at our school for parties by the PTO.

The email should introduce you as the preschool class room mom and ask if anyone would like to be involved with you for the halloween party. If you get some volunteers, you can give each one of them a responsibility. Jane- You will be in charge of a halloween craft. Susan- You will be in charge of the treat bags for each child. Jenn- You will be in charge of a game/activity. And so on... Let them know your ideas, and tell them to feel free to give you their ideas.

Some good websites...
http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-plan-a-preschool-h...

http://www.preschooleducation.com/ahalloween.shtml

http://www.first-school.ws/theme/h_halloween.htm

I did this last year, and loved it. It's a lot of work, but the kids will love it.

Good luck

Our class mom always sent home a 'donations' slip the week before.
where you would check what you would send in either the day before or of the party - plates, candy, cookies, juice boxes, napkins, etc. Are you able to volunteer?, etc.

I would say something like, "Hi! I'm so and so, so and so's mom. I'm the Class Mom and am starting to organize a class Halloween party on October 28th. We could use some help with items for the party. Here's what is needed: (list) If you can help in any way, please contact me at email address/phone. I will also post a sign-up sheet in the classroom. Thank you so much! With everyone's help, we can create a fun party for the kids!"

Congratulations! You will enjoy this position and make great teacher friends. Gives you an inside ot fun things in the school.
I've had teachers send out a list of 15 things for parents to choose from amd end up with lots of the same things. The bext was the teacher who went through the list and chose for you (as my son got older, he got to choose what I was going to bring) so my note only said this is what I will bring... Usually two choices... box drinks or pouch drinks. that kind of thing. She tried to break it down so that each parent spent about the same on the items. Being careful that the financially strapped parent was a little less, like plates or napkins. Anyway, there was a tear off part at the bottom that the parent signed and child brought back the next couple of days so you KNOW that everyone agrees to get what is on the list. Try to remember that you will have more parents the items needed. So Mrs A & Mrs K and each bring 10 drinks... to cover the 20 children in the class.
I have had great fun being the class mom for almost every class for my youngest son. Oh yeah, you don't have to 'tell' the parent you are the class mom. Just helping out Mrs. Teacher get the party rolling!

You should ask how many parties that there are and then do a signup sheet for each with categories of snack, craft and games. You can then post it outside the classroom door and ask the teacher to get the moms to sign up. I am worried if you don't organize it like this you will get stuck doing everything. This way you know that all the bases are covered and that at least a core group is going to show up. This is how our preschool did it and it worked out great. Also- you will most likely be responsible for the holiday gift.-collecting money and deciding what to get. I hated that part of being the class mom.

You have received great responses. I'm just going to add a couple things....

When you send out the email/letter, make sure the parents know that there will be ____ many parties. So, if there are too many volunteers for one, there may be a need for another. There will be certain moms who will want to help with certain parties....

When you ask for helpers, make categories such as....food/drink, cups/plates, games, clean-up/set-up(if needed),etc. This way you'll know who's bringing what and which parents can be there to help and which ones can send in treats with their child

You can also ask if anyone has some ideas they want to share. If you already have ideas, but want more suggestions, tell them that. Say, "I have some ideas I'd like to do with the party games/snacks, but would like any feedback you have" Some of these parents may have been through this before and knows of some great activities that were hits with the kids. There was one game a parent told me about that gained such a reputation as the best game, we did it each and every year until my son headed off to middle school. *You hang donuts from string attached to the ceiling. The kids have to put their hands behind their backs and race to see who can eat the donut off the string first. It's harder than it looks and it geared more for older kids, but it was a whole lot of messy fun.LOL!*

With preschoolers, the simpler the better. Once you get through one party, you'll figure out what works and what doesn't. It can be a lot of fun being class mom!! Good luck and have a blast!!

Having been the class mom many times for my 3 daughters, I can tell you that it is a fun job as long as you encourage everyone to be involved. Usually at the preschool level most parents are happy to contribute both time and supplies for your planned events.

As events come up, you can have sign up sheets or you can send out a note with something for each family to bring. Sometimes assigning the needed items is easier, but you will get to know your group and figure it out as you go. You'll have a great time and best of all, you'll be creating memories for your daughter of her Mom being a big part of her preschool year. Good luck!

~P. G.
Portland Preschool Directory
We can help you start your own local preschool directory!
http://www.PortlandPreschoolDirectory.com
http://www.MrsGowing.com

Hello~ Now days it seems like no one is volunteering. Mainly because it's work or I should say can be, but it can also be fun. The most important thing is a good support system from the parents. When I was room mom I did everything by email; parties, information, and volunteering. First, I would ask someone to co-chair with you. Indicate on the letter that this is your first time and you would love some help and two would be better than one. Then, whether someone volunteers or not sounds like you're it, assuming you accepted when your were approached. First, type up a casual letter introducing yourself, 1st time doing this and you would appreciate any and all help. Meet with the teacher and ask how much time is allowed for your 1st party. Remember you need to keep the kids busy. I would do stations depending on how many kids. At each station you need a volunteer to guide that particular project. Example; have some precut paper pumpkins. Have them glue the face on with glue sticks. Next station, play Halloween Bingo, decorate a sugar cookie (check with teacher), google ideas for that age group. Most allow about an hour.
Also, have healthy treats for them, fruit, crackers, cheese, water or juice pouches. Again, you make the sheet and ask parents to sign up. If you have a good core of parents it'll make it easy. Don't take this upon yourself, ask for help. I did this when my son was in Kindergarten and I was told I did a great job. Communication is the key. Google activities and happy planning.

I'm my 2nd graders class head mom and the head parent for all of 2nd grade this year I'm scared to death but anyway you need to get a list from your pta or teacher of the other parents weather it be moms or dads and send out an e-mail telling them when the parties are going to be I know for us we have 3 fall,winter,valentines and then we have a big carnival at the end of year where each class has a booth and parents have to help run it. Break up your list on the e-mail for craft or two crafts, a game, paper goods depending on what snack the other person is bringing, a snack and a drink and if you do goodie bags then I would ask all families to send at least something for them like pencils, little toys, candy etc.. Good Luck and have fun with it but in my saying is if you don't get help then they don't have a party cause it's not fair for you to do it all and spend tons of money!!

Having been a class mom for a combined 6 years for my two daughters, here's what I've learned...You are the organizer. It is not "mean" to expect help form the other moms, and you'll find that they want to be involved as well. Don't worry about stepping on toes because everyone is looking for a way to participate without seeming intrusive.

Step 1: Make your party list: Decorations, Food/Drinks, Games, Favors, Music

Step 2: Send out a note to all the parents encouraging their contributions of time and or supplies. Be sure to include spaces for them to indicate what they can do ~ and request a date by which it should be returned in their child's folder to the teacher.

Step 3: Inventory the physical items returned to the classroom 2 days before the party (DO NOT inventory what parents promise to bring with them when they come...it rarely happens that they remember to bring it)

Step 4: Shop for any remaining items needed, and make the party favor bags...also 2 days before the party (this gives you time to remember anything you've forgotten)

Step 5: Arrive 30-45 min. beore party time and be ready to delegate certain jobs to others who show up and want to help.

Enjoy the party and your new position!!