Would it BU to ask if it’s ok to do this at my daughters school?

[FamilyBusiness]

Hi all, it’s my little ones birthday in April, she will be six. Her birthday falls on a day she’s in school. My oldest son (10) is in same school, he is booked in for a feeding tube to be fitted (Cystic Fibrosis related) on the 18th of April. So we will be celebrating my daughters birthday a week early. But, WIBU to ask their school if I could pay for an educational animal visit for my daughter & her whole class for her birthday it’s a one hour visit.

As she has Autism & is going to be distraught that her brother is going in hospital (I’m dreading it) & I think it would really cheer her up & take her mind off it especially going in to school on her Bday knowing her brother isn’t there that day. Even though we will be celebrating together the week before, he will be in hospital at the time & so she won’t see him in school that day.

I don’t want to email the headteacher if it’s a bad idea, it will be an educational visit with bunny’s, birds, insects, etc etc. Thanks

Teacher in Ireland and no chance this would even be considered.
Is it not the equivalent of having your child’s birthday party in school ?
OP you sound lovely and I hope all goes well for your son .
Would you not hire a hall or similar and do this ?
Really amazed that some of your schools might allow this .

Just read the full thread and there are some bonkers replies on here. I work in a school. We would absolutely love it if parents did this. There is room in the week to juggle things round a bit. We often get short notice things at my own children's schools too, it's not a problem.

OP, you sound like a lovely, caring mum. I work with autistic children so I totally understand why you would want to do this and I'm so glad the school have said yes to you. I hope your daughter and her classmates have a lovely time and that your son's op goes well. From one mum who's watched their child have multiple operations to another, sending you lots of love and strength 💐

Fucking hell. You would actually heavily complain if some animals came to visit for an hour? Do you genuinely have nothing better to do? That can't be serious

Because it benefits the school, the pupils, and helps the school budget. Tick and tick and tick.

OP, I've worked in schools and have never had a request like this (usually parents send in cakes or sweets), but I see no harm in asking. In my experience, it's more likely to be a yes at a SEND school. It's not the whole day and it's educational, so you never know. If I was the teacher I'd really hope it was a yes because I loved it when we had animal people in! Good luck

By all means, ask, but don't be surprised if they say it would be "too disruptive" to allow it. On the other hand, they may just say, "What a lovely idea! Yes, by all means!" Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Just be gracious about either answer.

It's a lovely idea very thoughtful hope the school allows it x

So pleased you asked and they said yes. I have an 8 year old with autism and a 9 year old with complex medical issues. I understand how you feel.

The point was @Tirrrrred that this disrupted the whole school which ok, was only 45 kids but it was still five teachers classes (so more disruptive than ONE class which is what the OP was discussing).

And yes, its left lasting memories, certainly for everyone I am still in touch with, well over 30 years later.

@FamilyBusiness I am so pleased you didn't listen to the misery guts on here and school said yes. I hope your sons op goes well and your DD has a great birthday.

My initial thought is how cheeky to ask the school to pay for and to this for your daughter.
I had misread the post!

If you are saying this is something they regularly do and you are going to pay for it, go for it!

I think you would have received more responses in your favour if you had mentioned they already do this. I had never heard of it before so thought it was a very strange thing to ask. I don't know other schools that do this...

With all information at hand now, I say go for it, ask! They may say no but I don't see it as such a crazy request now.

Meant to say pay for and do this**

The school has already agreed and are very happy to take up the OP’s generous offer.

Excellent news! Well done for being brave and asking, despite all the horrible feedback you received on here. I hope the day and your son's hospital stay all goes smoothly

I just read this thread and I am so glad you went ahead and asked and it will be happening.
As a primary school teacher I think it is a lovely idea and if it was ever asked if me I would be very happy to accommodate, I would really enjoy it in fact! And if the powers that be insisted on a link to learning there are so many ways that it would fit in with the curriculum.
I hope your daughter and her class really enjoy the visit. And I also really hope that all goes will with your son 🌸🌺🌸 take care

Really pleased that you asked @FamilyBusiness and that the response from school was positive.

Hope the operation goes well and that your dd has a lovely birthday.

Hope the operation and weeks of juggling goes well. I’ve been there many times and it’s tough.
those saying not to have made a big fuss about it with your daughter have not got a sick child who goes to hospital- you have to go through it with your family before or otherwise it’s a scary home where your brother disappears for 3 weeks at a time mysteriously. That causes trauma so you are doing it all just right x

This is one of the saddest threads I've ever seen on here - a mum in an awful situation trying to make things as pleasant as possible for both her kids and those they go to school with getting slated and berated.

OP - I'm so glad you ignored the naysayers and that your school is obviously so supportive and welcoming of your ideas. I really hope that your son's operation goes OK, that your daughter enjoys her birthday, and that you never let anyone put you off trying to something to make everyone's lives more pleasant. You sound lovely and I wish you and your family all the best.

Hi I’ve just had a minute to read all the recent messages. I don’t want to ignore all the lovely ones. Thank you for sending them I appreciate them so much! I’m glad I asked the school now as well.

Someone mentioned about me not offering to pay, I will be paying for it. I wouldn’t dream of expecting the school to pay.

I think this will be my last message as I’ve got so much to do at the moment but didn’t want to not acknowledge all the positive replies & well wishes. I’ve say & read them all & actually got a bit emotional. I’m probably just a bit sensitive at the minute anyway.

Thank you & take care x

I’ve sat & read them** sorry x

I havent read everything on the thread, but I think you are right not to ask, and your daughter is more likley to benefit from a normal calm day than extra excitement and stimulation when she is already stressed

So glad you asked and got a good response.
Hope all goes well for both DC.x.

o its going ahead! wll I hope it goes well x

Don't be ridiculous, you can't hijack the school for a day just because it's your little darlings birthday!

The teachers on the thread - yes, it's a good idea. Some other people who aren't teachers - no, because...(insert reason). OP, listen to the people who actually know what they're talking about and ask.

That's your reply to a woman with a child with cystic fibrosis having a feeding tube fitted and another child with autism asking a perfectly reasonable question, to which the teachers on the thread have given a resounding positive response to? You must be an incredibly unhappy person, or maybe you're just a nasty piece of work? Whichever cap fits.