Our PTO has been trying to get a room parent for every classroom for many years. Unfortunately, no one ever steps up to take the job. We are a school of 415, and none of the parents ever want to help do anything. I've been the PTO president for 3 years, and we only have about 5 parents (me included) who do all the work. Every time we have an evening family event, I never get to spend time with my family because I always volunteer. Don't get me wrong, I love volunteering. I eat, sleep, and breathe the PTO. Being involved in the school is my passion. However, it would be nice if more people stepped up to help out once in awhile.
I have been the room parent for my daughters class for the past 4 years. Over the years I have made changes and now it seems to work out really well. In September, I send home a letter with each of the students requesting a donation. I ask for $20 from each student. This donation covers both a holiday gift and an end of the year gift for the teacher, as well as all of the parties for the year and a scrapbook for the teacher at the end of the year. In years past I found that the same people were supplying items for the party, with more than 75% of the class providing nothing. This way, when people volunteer to make something or buy something, I reimburse them the cost from our collection. Our room parents have nothing to do with our PTO, but I am involved in that as well. Hope this helps.
I am the president of a middle school - 6-8. Our school does not have homerooms. The kids do report to their first period class. Some time is spent on business of the day, but not very much. Not all teachers have a 1st period class. I would like to incorporate the idea of room parents to help increase involvement from both parents and teachers. But I don't know how to do this. Any ideas would be appreciated.
I am trying to get a plan together to present to our principal to implement the room parent plan. I am so glad to read all of your ideas and activities, it has been a great help. If anyone has an more ideas please pass them on b/c I am trying soooo hard to get more parents involved!!! Most of the parents at our school both parents work outside of the home and they are not available to help. If you have any ideas for that too, please pass them on.
Thanks for the help.
At the two schools my kids attend, the parents are asked at the end of the school year if they'd like to be room parents in their childrens' classes the next year. This request is part of a larger volunteer sign-up sheet. The sign up sheet includes job descriptions.Then before school ends..or in early summer..the PTA building reps choose two room parents for each classroom. Each room parent is given a folder that includes a job description and calendar of events, etc. At the Open Houses in the fall, the room parents work with the PTA and their teachers and make sign-up sheets for helpers at the various events and field trips, etc. For many years, the room parents' duties consisted mostly of making phone calls for the teacher and the building reps did a good chunk of the work for finding donations for an event, or volunteers for something, so we changed that. Now the room parents are told in an orientation that they are the ones responsible for making sure the parents who signed up for the various things are reminded to do it. Also, if we (PTA bldg reps) need donations of a dessert or salad for Teacher Appreciation, for example, we call the room parents and say, "can you please find two parents who can donate a ___, etc." We've never had trouble finding parents to volunteer. They love the chance to get into the classroom for parties, etc. The system works great!
