I'm a regular poster but signed out b/c I don't want to be identified! ;-) I teach 1st grade and have a student who will be moving soon. Her mom has been a little strange from the beginning and constantly contacts me. Now she wants us to do a scrapbook for her child (just letters and so on in a notebook that she already has) and wants to throw a going-away party on her last day. Is it just me or is that a little strange?? I've taught for awhile and I know it can be tough for kids to move. They are pretty resilient at this age though and don't really need a lot of fuss. Not to mention we've only been in school for 2 months! I always try to do a little something special, but I have a feeling that all this craziness will 1) make the other kids nuts 2) make this little girl more upset! She hasn't acted upset unless we bring it up and then she gets a little sad, but I have a feeling the party is going to make things more emotional. To top it off, mom wants to bring the snack (that I ok-d, but said to bring at the end of the day) first thing in the morning and do a breakfast party! Guess who gets to deal with the kids all day after that? ME! So I said she could drop them off in the morning and I'll serve them later...I feel a little mean but honestly? I care about this little girl and wish the best for her, I just don't think all of this is necessary!

[ecsmom]

I would veto the breakfast party too. We aren't allowed to have food before lunch so that would be my excuse.

[Lady Teacher]

definitely do the notebook. I do this for my students that move except I take pictures of the kids and then have everyone write a letter under their picture.

I would say no to the breakfast. Just tell her that while you think it's a nice gesture it's just too disruptive to instructional time. Treat this going away party the same as you would a birthday party in your room. I ONLY celebrate at the very end of the day. Make the suggestion that she bring something portable such as juice boxes and a cookie or something and then move on. If she doesn't do it YOUR way or she refuses then tell her too bad, so sad, your classroom and say good bye

[me41]

I agree with PP and add that you should feel happy this one is moving, or at least happy that mom is moving - she sounds like a pill.

Do what you would normally do you a birthday. I day of insanity would not be good for any of your students. If mom wants a going away party she is welcome to invite the class to her house for a party.

I moved when I was in 1st grade, and I remember that my teacher did have each student write a little note that said "I will miss you because ....." that they filled in and she turned into a book. I also got a little stuffed bear wearing a school t-shirt. I still have both, and it made me feel a little bit special!

But, I think an all-out party is WAAAY too much.

It is YOUR class, do or not do what you want. No need to explain reasons behind it. That comes w/ your being deemed certified to teach and hired on. Sorry mommy! lol

My dd's teachers have started just passing out whatever treats were brought as they walk out the door. I like this. For birthdays each child gets an extra recess they can "spend" on a friday they preselect w/ the teacher.

I would probably just hand out the treats as they leave. I would NOT make the girl a scrapbook. That is MOM type job. If she has a planner or daily communication tool I would write in that that you have enjoyed her and wish her the best at her new school. THAT's IT!!!

Stay strong!

Quite honestly, our curriculum is such that unplanned parties really throw a kink in things; there's no time, what with Reading, Math, Language, Social Studies, Science, Pull-Out Hour, Music, Art, Computer, and PE. If a parent wants to throw a birthday/going away party, I tell them that they need to have it during lunch, and it's limited to 25 minutes. No, the party can't take the place of lunch, because of the Nutritional Food Nazi rules. No, I won't be there to help, because I need my duty-free lunch, guaranteed by the state. No, the duty teachers in the cafeteria can't help, because they've got to manage all 150 of our students. And, no, the party can't extend into recess, because our district counts recess toward the manditory PE hours. I'm really not a mean, heartless teacher, but that's they way our school is now. It used to not be that way.

As for the scrapbook, I think that it is incredibly insensitve for the Mom to ask you to do that. It's one thing if you choose to do that on your own, but it can be a bother if you are put on the spot. We're not just babysitters, and I have enough of my own job to take care of, thank you.