we have a latex free policy, so this would not come into consideration at all.
even if there is no child with that allergy attending, the policy doesnt change. its a general health and safety rule, no latex balloons.
UPDATE: So far this is a huge hit! We are offering for $5 --- a bouquet with 4 latex balloons and 1 mylar. We purchased the large bag of 72 multicolored latex balloons at Party City for only $4.99 we also bought a spool of white curling ribbon at PC. We buy the mylars at a dollar store (flat). We purchased a box of metal washers (for weights) from Lowe's. The school has a large helium tank that we use. I printed up some cards 2"x 4" that say "Happy Birthday". We then print the child's name on them, message from their parent and their teacher. We deliver them the last 15 minutes of the school day so not to be a disruption. I keep all of the names, dates, etc. in an excel file. We're making over $3 per bouquet. We plan to offer them during Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week as well as during the pre-k, Kdg and 5th grade promotions at the end of the school year. We even have teachers ordering them for each other's birthdays! The parents LOVE them and of course the kids do to. Our school recognizes each student's birthday over the PA during opening ceremonies each day as well as they receive a birthday pencil and certificate. So, each child is recognized even if their parent doesn't choose to purchase a balloon bouquet. The $5 is very affordable even with our school being 40-45% free or reduced lunch kids. We have more than one ordered per school day up until Nov. We do require we receive at least a week's notice.
We have offered this for the last 3 years and it has been a success. We have 3 different options for the parents to choose from; $3 boquet which is a latex balloon attached to a small bag of goodies, $5 boquet with 2 latex balloons and a small stuffed animal and our $10 gift box which is a birthday box with goodies and a drink and 1 mylar and 2 latex balloons attached. We also offer more than just birthday boquets, we do welcome back, valentines and all other sort of occassions. Our PTO has our own helium tank and we order through Burton and Burton company for all of our supplies, they are a distributor for flower shops. We offer these boquets for the teachers and who ever wants to order them.
I hate to throw rain on the parade too, but our schools are moving toward a "latex free" environment due to the growing awareness of latex allergies.
Our high school special education department has a similar program to recognize birthdays, etc. For a small fee, the class will decorate the exterior of the student's locker using die cut construction paper and ribbons. It's cute, it's easy, and it's cheap. It's not distracting in the classroom and it doesn't have to come home on the bus.
You know best if $5 is affordable in your school community. Don't can a novel idea soley on price, just bring your price in line with your market. There will always be parents who forget or chose not to order the balloons/decorations for their child, even if they could easily afford it. That doesn't make the idea a bad one. But for something like this, that comes into the building, the principal absolutely has the last word.
Our school also has the same policy. Some parents still try to send the big bouquets, but they sit in the office all day. The kid doesn't get to enjoy it. I agree that allowing it in the classroom would be a huge distraction and trying to get it on the bus a hassle.
Our principal announces the birthdays in the morning announcements and at lunch they get called up front of all the kids and choose between a birthday "spanking", handshake or hug. The principal was gone on my oldest daughters birthday and she was highly disappointed the she didn't get her spanking. She told the principal this and was done when she returned.
I like the idea for older kids, say middle school or high school. Hurt feelings are such a big deal at Elementary level. And you know not all kids will get one.
