Make sure to speak with your teacher to find out what is expected as a room parent at the beginning of the school year.  Every teacher is different in how they utilize a room parent.  If you have two or more room parents make a time for you all to meet with the teacher.  Divide your roles - one parent handling email and the other ?  Don't be nervous.  Our teachers really need our help this year!

Weekly emails to your classroom parents work best as the mode of communication.   Parents need to be aware you are the room parent.   Remind your parents about minimum days, PE days and other events in the classroom.  We are all busy these days and gentle nudges are very appreciated to keep connected to our kids.

Put classroom supplies needed at the bottom of each weekly email.  With all the LAUSD cuts we need supplies.  Ask your teacher what they need.  Also if there are crafts needing items like egg cartons, paper towel rolls try to have parents collect them ahead of time and keep them at home before the activity.    Can't get to a store? How about picking up a gift certificate for your teachers favorite school supply store?

Encourage and coordinate volunteers for the classroom. Ask your teacher what their preference is for time slots for parents to volunteer.  Create a calendar if there isn't one available already.   If there is a calendar on the door transfer it to an email.  Many parents can't stop by during the morning to sign up, but could once they have an email could sign up electronically.  Teachers also really appreciate an email from you with their volunteers for the coming week.

Check in with your teacher to see if take-home prep work is needed for the week. This volunteer work is perfect for the parent that cannot work in the class. Much prep work is done after school hours by your teacher so this would be greatly appreciated.   Make sure scholastic book orders are handled in the classroom.  Some teachers like to do it themselves or another parent might sign up for this responsibility.  You can see a sample email you can send out to your class for scholastic books.

Help coordinate volunteers for Field Trips.

Attend FOI monthly meetings and convey any important information to your class parents via email.

Coordinate Holiday parties: Halloween, Xmas Holiday, Valentine's, Easter, last day of school.  Ask your teacher how simple or elaborate they want these parties to be or if they would like to celebrate these holidays at all.

Be expected to collect money for the Holiday costumes and International Faire costumes and food.

Coordinate a group/class Holiday gift for your teacher and/or End of the Year gift.

Participate in the annual direct appeal campaign called the Pledge of Excellence.  You will be asked to identify a parent in your classroom that could help with our phone tree.  Our aim is 100% participation.

ANTICIPATE…FACILITATE…DISSEMINATE!

Here is a sample weekly email some room parents have crafted in the past

 

To: Classroom Parents

Subject:  Week of 1/17/2012 in Mr. Jagger's Classroom

Hello families this is the list of volunteers from 8:10 - 10:00 am in the classroom for next week.  As you can see we are missing a few slots.  Please email me if you can help

 

Monday, 17th - John Mills

Tuesday, 18th - still need a volunteer

Wednesday, 19th - Michelle Lee
 

****************************

Class wish list:

pencils

shoe boxes for craft project - please collect them at home until I write back to bring them to school.

 

Don't forget to check the on-line calendar for upcoming school events.

 

Thank you.

Your room parent