The Imperfect Community

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 10:01 am Post subject: More WWYD

OK, Alex's school has this thing called "May Term" it's from the beginning of may to the end of june. Mostly, it's electives, but there are some mandatory classes.

There was a mass e-mail sent out to the parents of 6th and 7th grade parents--there is this class called Biz Town, it's sponsored by Junior Achievements and they need 2 parent volunteers in one of the sessions to run it. They have two parents for another session, but unless they get two parents for the one, the class won't happen.

She sent another e-mail two days later saying, really, they need parents to step forward or the other session won't be able to happen.

I e-mailed back, saying wow, it's too bad nobody will step forward, I'd do it but I have Liz. She e-mailed back saying it's fine to bring Liz. It's only 17 days (17 school days) for an hour and a half each day. It would be a PITA because of needing to bring Liz, but I'd feel like a shmuck if this class isn't able to be offered because nobody stepped forward! On the other hand, I think, well there are OTHER parents who could step forward and it would be really hard for me with Liz, so maybe someone else should. But, then I think, well, maybe everyone else works and can't. Ugh. What would you do?

BTW, I have no idea whether Alex is even taking this class, so it's not even for him at all.

Anthromomma · Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:30 pm Post subject:

This is exactly the kind of thing that I would volunteer for and then resent later. Laughing

You said that there has to be two parent volunteers for this one class, right? I would want to verify that, since you definitely don't want the whole workload on your shoulders with a preschooler along. Well, and I guess that's thing: what kind of responsibilities would you have, and what would Liz be doing while you're doing them? Does she have the personality to hang back with some crayons and paper while you're dealing the class? Would she want to be in the middle of things-- and would that be ok if she was? I think the idea of 'bring the kids' is often a lot easier than the execution-- no one else 'minds' that they're there, as long as the parent spends the entire time bouncing back and forth to make sure that your kid(s) aren't in the way. My department is really just about as family-friendly as it could possibly be. My girls are up at school with me usually on average about once a week, and while seriously no one minds that they're there, it stresses me out beyond reason to have to do it-- I live in fear of a meltdown or tantrum every time we're there.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 6:48 am Post subject:

Yeah I replied and said that Liz would most likely be on my lap or clinging to me in some fashion the entire hour and a half every day, BUT if nobody else volunteers (there have to be two) and that's OK, then I'll do it. Pretty much just saying I'll be a body there to fulfill the need for a second adult volunteer. I see the woman tonight at the AT meet (that I'm hosting Rolling Eyes

) so I'll find out more information in person.

Scout · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 8:11 am Post subject:

Hm. I probably wouldn't do it just because I'm lazy like that. But I guess an hour and a half is not that bad, although three weeks and two days is a fairly long committment for summer time, IMO. It's good of you to feel like you should do it, but you shouldn't feel obligated to give up your time and freedom just because no one else will.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:12 am Post subject:

It would be a big pain in the ass, but it's not QUITE summer yet when they're doing this. They have their 1st semester and then 2nd semester and then this funky May Term thing. The official school year ends the first week of June, just like for Katie's school and all the other schools in the area. It is kind of like forcing a "summer school" term on the kids, but starting in 8th grade it's all electives during May Term--fun classes like, seriously--Breakfast with Jazz, where the music teacher has the kids cook while there are jazz cd's playing. Most of the classes are pass/fail, too (otherwise that A in Breakfast with Jazz would really be an unfair advantage in the old GPA).

ExCareerGal · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

I would not do it. Other people's busy lives do not make me less busy. I would definitely not do it with a child hanging on me!
Janna

mammaX3_MOD · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 9:58 am Post subject:

Well now that you mention the Breakfast with Jazz class, I guess it wouldn't be too hard to have Liz there if the class was really easy like that.
Is it an "academic" class?
Is it something that the kids can do in small groups together while you read her a story?

If it were a hard class and was a huge part of their GPA (which you said it's not), then I totally wouldn't do it. But if it will be easy like the Jazz thing, then I might do it. This way, people might see that you volunteer for things, making it easier to duck out of the next thing you really don't want to do..........

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

Here's a very recent article about what this class is like, although I have no idea whether the kids in this class get to go do the Headquarters regularly or if at all (I'll ask about that tonight). But, my impression is that it's a laid back and fun class, and really very likely pass/fail. It's not trig, in other words, lol.

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/13757141.html

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 10:45 am Post subject:

Okaaaay, no. I talked to the lady last night (she was helping me with the academic triathlon event our school was hosting) and I've got to tell her that I can't do it. I didn't tell her last night, just because it seemed like bad timing. But...

1) I fucking HATE this shit. I am not good at running big things like this, as evidenced by last night. I'd be totally fine with doing all the behind-the-scenes prep work--making the schedules, calling the coaches, printing out the forms, getting the items together. But, then I'd love to just be able to hand it off to someone else to be the ringmaster the night of the event. I hate being in charge if something goes wrong, I hate entertaining the audience in between the P.A.R.T.Y segments, I hate it, hate it, hate it. And, I'm not particularly good at it, either. Nothing big went wrong or anything, I just didn't run an especially smooth event.

2) This is a class. There is an orientation where books and curriculum will be handed out. I won't just be a body keeping the peace.

3) There is a field trip. NO WAY I can drag the Liz-monster along to a public place AND be responsible for other children. Can't happen.

4) It's very unlikely Alex will be in either of the classes, since he was in band during the year he has to make up the two required periods of PE and one period of art, which only leaves one elective left and both of these classes happen early morning when the PE classes happen.

So, I'm going to call her tonight and tell her that after thinking about all that we discussed, there's just no way I can make it work with Liz. I felt over-extended doing the academic triathlon meet and that was just ONE night (albeit six hours), I had adult helpers and NO Liz. I just can't do it this year, hopefully someone else will step up. She has found two former students who are in college now and will be home for summer break by this time, they're happy to do this, but she needs now ONE PARENT VOLUNTEER. I hope someone else will step up!

DietCokeHead · Queen of Imperfection Joined: 29 Apr 2002 Posts: 3805

Hell no, I woudnt do it if I had to bring Liz along. I am sure she is delightful Very Happy

but there is no way I would want to deal with watching a toddler while trying to volunteer.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 8:44 am Post subject:

Honestly, she's not all THAT delightful right now. In situations where she needs to behave anyway. You've got one around her age, you know. Next year she'll be delightful, but not now. She's delightful at home where she can be the almost 3 year-old monster she is, it's funny here. It wouldn't be funny there.

Anthromomma · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 12:03 am Post subject:

Yeah, there's no way that's gonna work with a preschooler along. Did you call that lady to turn her down? I'm thinking that she probably doesn't want to take no for an answer from you.

Petulant Pixie · Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 6:45 am Post subject:

I e-mailed her and she responded pretty quickly thanking me for even considering it in the first place.

She's just a volunteer, too, so it's no skin off her nose if nobody else signs up. I mean, it is what it is basically, if parents can't make it happen, then it just won't.