One website that’s awesome for parents volunteering as classroom parents is SchoolParentNet.com - It has stuff like online directory and signup sheet templates for school activities, field trips and fundraising. Once u sign up, it lists "tasks to be done", who is bringing what, Sign up sheets. etc
Check it out to see if schools in your district are already members. If you like the site, go to the homepage and request an Invite!!!
We never had a formal meet and greet for room parents. I think it's money that could be better spent elsewhere. Provide each room parent a contact list of all the room parents with the grades and classrooms they support. If grade level events will occur, they will then have the contact info they need to speak to eachother.
After all, do you provide the same for committees that need to get together and meet and discuss plans? Do you do the same for your executive board and all chairpersons?
I'd leave the money in the bank and just provide the contact info.
This is a great opportunity for everyone to discuss their roles as room parents (responsibilities, schedule of the years events in each room, perhaps someone to speak about what worked and didn't work last year) and have a forum for open communication. Don't let the title of the event worry you or anyone else. Keep it casual, welcoming and above all let everyone know you are all in this together so don't be afraid to reach out to each other for advise or just as a sounding board. Welcoming teacher's into this meeting may help define many questions each parent may have with regard to expectations etc. Snacks and having something to drink are up to the group.
<font size=""1"">We must overcome the notion that we must be regular...it robs you of the chance to be extraordinary and leads you to do the mediocre."</font> (Uta Hagen)</font></font><br /><br> <br /><br>"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments...
We are scheduled to have our first Room Parents Tea next week and the person who suggested it/was going to run it left. Now we are a little confused because we never heard of a Room Parents Tea before, but thought it sounded like a good idea (the person who was going to run it only explained it as a day for the room parents to meet and exchange contact info, that's it). We really need help in knowing what we should do at this event... should our president speak, maybe explaining room parents' responsibilities, or should it just be left as a social event strictly for the room parents to meet and coverse? Should the teachers be invited as well? Do we serve tea and something to eat??
Any information and suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thank you so much!
