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ROOM PARENT RESOURCES

Thank you so much for volunteering your time and talents to be a Room Parent for one of our HCES classes! Being a Room Parent is such an important job and can be a huge benefit for your student's teacher. We hope you can use these resources to help you along the way. 

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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Room Parent Coordinator!

WHAT DO YOU DO AS A ROOM PARENT?

TEACHER SUPPORT

Teacher

  • Teacher support will look different in each classroom depending on the style of the teacher.
     

  • Some teachers have volunteer needs inside the classroom, while other teachers prefer their Room Parent to aid more with administrative support,  coordinating and communicating with other classroom parents.
     

  • It is important that you discuss expectations and needs with the teacher, ensuring you are respecting their style.
     

  • Offering help is fine, but please do so via the teacher’s preferred communication channel. Do not show up unannounced and do not be a distraction to the teacher or class when volunteering.
     

  • Room Parents help ensure the teacher feels appreciated. Be sure to have the teacher fill out the “My Favorite Things” form so you can email it to the class.

TEACHER GIFTS

  • Depends on the amount of FUNds collected

  • Typically each teacher receives:

    • Holiday gift

    • Valentine gift

    • Teacher appreciation gift

    • Birthday gift

DUTY FREE LUNCH

  • Duty free lunches will take place 4 times a year:

    • ​Fall

    • Holiday Lunch

    • Spring

    • Teacher Appreciation

  • We will be looking for volunteers to cover the cafeteria so our teachers can enjoy their lunch

COMMUNICATION

  • Send a welcome email to the other classroom parents to introduce yourself, and explain what you will be communicating throughout the year. This email will also explain and request Class FUNds.
     

  • The PTA Room Parent Coordinator will have specific volunteer needs, and will ask Room Parents to help fill those roles by volunteering and sending the volunteer requests to classroom parents.
     

  • Volunteer needs are different throughout the year and will often be sent as a sign up genius.
     

  • Examples of volunteer roles: lunch duty, picture day, book fair, kite day, field day and more.
     

  • Remind the class about the teacher’s birthday, teacher appreciation week, and any other special occasion in the teacher’s life where they are celebrated.
     

  • Teachers may have a wishlist or classroom needs that the Room Parent can send out.

Legal Research and Writing
Ice Cream Party

HOLIDAY PARTIES

  • There are two holiday parties each school year, Christmas and Valentine’s Day.
     

  • Please discuss what kind of party your teacher prefers before planning.
     

  • Room Parents are responsible for planning and coordinating the parties.
     

  • Include all parents in the party. Ensure they feel welcome! You may need to ask for items to be brought in, or ask for volunteers for certain games and activities.

CLASSROOM FUNDS

  • This is money collected by the room parent from the other class parents to fund teacher gifts and class parties.
     

  • Class FUNds are optional, but each parent is requested to give a minimum of $20.
     

  • Often the funds are collected through Venmo.
     

  • The Room Parent will be responsible for collecting funds & using those to purchase gifts, party items, and classroom needs.
     

  • Room Parents should keep parents informed of the expenditures by communicating what was purchased.
     

  • Class FUNds are separate than PTA funds. Please do not turn receipts into the PTA.
     

  • There should be no funds left over. If towards the end of the year, you have remaining funds, ask your teacher what she needs for the classroom.

Cashback

MORE THAN ONE ROOM PARENT?

  • No problem!

  • It is a good idea to have one as the main point of contact for the teacher/class

  • Room Parents can split up the following tasks:

    • Communications

    • Classroom FUNds

    • Party planning

    • Organizing & buying teacher gifts

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US!

HCES PTA ROOM PARENT COORDINATOR   |   KADDEE ENGLAND   |   kaddeea@gmail.com

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