Now my school has just announced a birthday table ...

[procrastinatingparent]

I've been following the Birthday Table threads with interest but thinking that my school would never do that until ...

the following appeared in today's school newsletter under the title 'Something you may not know':

"We have a Birthday table for KS2 children. If it is your child?s birthday, then they may go up to the school office before school and a table (with a tablecloth!!) will be reserved for your child and 3 special friends. (KS2 only, I?m afraid)"

I completely agree that the birthday table concept is an idea of fundamental stupidity and cruelty (all power to Boco, I've been reading her threads with my mouth open in disbelief). My question is whether I should say something to the school now (I'm very good friends with on of the governors so could do it informally or formally) or whether it would be better to wait and see if it becomes a problem.

I guess the differences from the goings on at Boco's DD's school are that the number of friends is limited to 3, and it doesn't appear that you have to pay for it. But should that make a difference?

Advice gratefully received.

Bump!

No this is very bad. Not a catholic school, like Boco's is it?
Ds is hopefully going to our catholic school in sept. And I was talking to a very close friend whose son is currently there. We both agreed that our school would NEVER do such a thing.
What is going on, in this world ?

No, not a Catholic school. But generally a good school in terms of its attitude of respect and inclusion, so I am a little disappointed.

I think you should definitely appraoch them now with your concerns. Before I read Boco's thread I wouldn't have thought it that big a deal but now....

I think the whole world's gone bloody mad.

What happens if you are an August child? Do you never get a birthday table? I mean I suppose at least it's only KS2 but EVEN SO, it's still polarising the kids and WHAT is the point of it.

Children don't NEED this sort of extra birthday stuff at school.

Print the thread and nail it to the school gate circulate it amongst the staff.

Very good point, foxinsocks, my DD has a birthday between Christmas and New Year so would never have a chance to use it, even if I agreed with it, which I don't!

bumping for all those like me who should be getting tea but are on MN instead ...

I'd definitely raise concerns now. Please let the birthday table spread no further!

Oh my god. The world has gone mad.

I'd go in and nip it in the bud. The point is that children don't necessarily go about in groups of four. So if say, there are six girls that are in a group, then two are left out.

I really don't understand why schools are even entertaining this idea as a good thing.

Go in PP, cut the legs of this table before they've even had a chance to get out their table cloth.

LOl at 'get out their table cloth'.

Excellent excellent points! Keep them coming, and I'll tackle my friend next week to find out where this whole thing is coming from, so I can smite it dead early on.

Cut the legs off the head, not the table.

Do both of them, then the head'll have a table to sit at, ALL ON HER OWN, with a tablecloth for company.

I wonder if it's a suggestion from the caterers again?

I just cannot understand what is going through their heads. STOP THEM NOW before the mad mudders start thinking what a brilliant idea it is.

It was in the newsletter under 'News from the Governors' so I wonder if it is an initiative from them rather than the head. And also don't know why they would do it if no money is involved.

Anything else I can point out in an oh-so-reasonable voice?

This seems such a strange idea without the financial incentive - it must just be very badly thought out.

Another useful thing i found out today, although not had a chance to look into it today is something called SEAL - to do with the LEA and healthy schools initiative. Apparently it contravenes this initiative - i need to find out more so i can put it in my letter - so maybe a stealthy call you your schools support officer at your LEA to find out your equivalent initiative so that you can use that as ammunition. I'm hoping to do the same on Monday.

Good luck comrade!

It's not too bad a there will only be 4 children on it, so not only one or two children left out, but I wouldn't like it at my DS1's school. I'd have a word with the governor and get it stopped before it starts.

I wonder if some governor who has had children at another school said 'oh, birthday table, blah blah, such fun, money for school' and the governors at your school said 'oh not money, blah blah exploitative, blah blah tablecloth, very nice for the kids, let's have a non-financially related birthday table'?

if so, good for them for removing the financial element but bizarro that they haven't spotted the rest of it. LOL at the tablecloth. I'll bet you a fiver it's a Cath Kidston one when it turns up.

Sorry to be a pain, but I seem to have missed all the Party table threads! Would someone be so kind as to link me to the first and original thread. From what I'm reading here, I'm sure I'll agree with the rest of you, but I'd love to know where it all started!

Like my kids would notice if there was a tablecloth or not. Like my kids even know what a tablecloth is!

Thanks for the tip, Boco - will investigate the SEAL thing. Thought your letter was great: really hope you get a positive response from both the school and the other parents. I'm sure you are doing the right thing. I really feel for your DD. None of this sort of unkindness goes on in my DD's class (yet!) but I know how devastated she would be.

Maureen this is the latest one and explains here

Thanks Boco