I can't believe Scott School is that way. We rely HEAVILY on parent food for meals. At my son's elementary school, they had it brought in by a local Mexican restaurant. Most teachers wanted catered, they got it, hated it, and had to live with it. I bet they don't ask for it this year. I do know that we will supply a meat and cheese tray from either Dillons, or Sam's Club. Then we have parents cook something. We have quite a few that are willing to do this because they feel guilty that they can't attend meetings or help in any other way.
If you want to get rid of the catering, make a low budget AND STICK TO IT. Advise the teachers that you would like to use the money in a way that will benefit both teacher AND student. That should sway the majority toward you. You will always have a disgruntled teacher, but you can't please everyone! Know that what you are doing is best for the STUDENTS, that's the number one reason why we are doing this!

For staff appreciation week the food is all done by parents, each year it changes from an Italian feast, or subs and salad, last year we skipped the lunch and just did deserts! That went over good...it is sad when your staff doesn't trust you enough to cook for them. If that happen at my school they wouldn't get anything to eat!!!

Well I have to say it upsets me in the first place that we can't TRUST parents to make food. Our school still does but I hear people oh u mean you can still aren't u afraid. I have not had any reason not too. I guess I just wouldn't think about doing any thing stupid to something that others would eat. So Rah Rah to the schools and parents that can still "slave cook" haha. and Sorry to other schools that can't Wish one day WE ALL would get to have the Good days back. When all wanted to help and all was trusted.

Kelley, last year we got a bunch of new teachers-some were even willing to join our group, they couldn't believe that we paid for it and were even more shocked when I told them the group before had it catered in, most of them had been at schools where it was done like yours and suggested that we try moving this way to help our budget. I know there have been issues at our school and more than 5 years ago they quit taking homeade cakes and cookies for the cakewalk. Last year, because we were short on donations, PTO members were allowed to make cakes and those were the first to go. I guess I'm frustrated that every time I try to save us money and do what I see other schools doing (that seem like common sense to me) I am given responses that make some of our staff seem like they just want catered or expensive meals. I'm to the point where I want to suggest that we cut their discretionary funds to pay for their food instead of cutting other programs. Anyway, thanks for the input.

Twice a year, during conferences, we have a potluck dinner for the teachers. It is open to any parent who wants to contribute and I've never heard a single complaint from our staff. In fact, we usually have enough food brought in that the teachers get to eat lunch the next day, too! Our staff is always very grateful for the array of dishes... from traditional tamales to my famous chili, every last bit of food gets ate!

To be honest, I don't think anyone has ever even thought that there might be issues eating food made by parents... it was quite a shock to me to read these posts and see that is an issue for many!

Once a year, for our teacher appreciation lunch, the PTO foots the bill. We usually have a theme lunch and the officers each make part of the menu. We then reimburse for whatever is spent. I have no problem spending this money on our hardworking staff... they deserve it! And, it does improve morale, which is great for our kids!

Kelley Kirkpatrick-Berg
Madison PTO
Mount Vernon, WA

Last year's treasurer was a wonderful cook and everybody loved her food. She almost single-handedly did our teacher luncheon and we never received any complaints.

Her husband was transferred, and they are now about 200 miles away, and I have no idea what to do about the luncheon. I never really thought about the issues that could arise with a "committee effort". UGH! Maybe I will see if my DH will do something...he is a professional chef and did the chili for our chili supper last year. And, NO!, he doesn't cook at home.