Our school tried doing the room parent thing a number of different ways. This year we tried still another way to handle the program-not handling it. Our room parents' responsibilities have always simply been to supply treats for class holiday parties. Our PTO Board this year wanted to focus our limited resources and efforts on more "education supporting" activities and less on "fun/party" type activities. So, instead of spending a lot of time organizing a room parent meeting and trying to find parents to donate treats for each holiday for each classroom, we decided to give each teacher a copy of a generic form that they could send out to ask parents to supply treats for parties. We also gave them a generic form that they could use to remind those parents that signed up as the holiday approached. We told them that they were free to use these forms or make their own if they chose. That was the extent of PTO involvement. It gave great flexibility to the teachers and to the parents. If a parent from a particular room felt compelled to organize the class parties, they could. If not, the teacher could simply use the forms to request help if needed. Teachers also had the freedom to decide what parties they wanted their class to celebrate for whatever reason. If a teacher wanted to celebrate Earth Day, they could. Others could choose not to. It worked really well for us and helped us to shift our focus from one of "bake sale organizers" to "education supporters" at our school. Of course, a few people still felt organizing the class parties was the most important thing they needed to do to support their child's education, but you can't make everyone happy all the time and old habits die hard. All in all it was successful for us.
We have a room parent and an alternate for each classroom.
Each is given a folder with job descriptions for the appropriate grade and parent volunteer lists at a Room Parent Tea held in September. All the info. is explained at the tea.
If the room parent does not fulfill the obligation, the alternate takes over. The teachers are aware of the two parents and also let us know if the room parent is not doing their job.
Yes, we have a room parent orientation and we hold it in September....the only problem is it is held after people sign up. I know that may sound funny-that it is a problem to have them sign up and then learn the ins and outs of the job, but it works.
At that training, we talk about the differences teacher to teacher. The expectations that each teacher will have will be up to them to communicate. We encourage the room parents to make a point to meet with the individual teachers and get an outline or idea or what the year will hold and the parameters of parent involvement (room parent and other parents as well) in the classroom during the year.
Also, we make very clear that room parents are ambassadors for the rest of the parents in the class. As such, a part of their job is either to plan to attend each PTO meeting (we only have 5 during the whole year) or assign a delegate from their class.
So far, this approach has worked in getting a 40-50 person turn out at our PTO meetings and a good contingent to pull from for volunteer jobs needing attention. Again, if they themselves don't want to sign up as a volunteer, they sign up "their class" as the designated volunteer and then it is their job to go back and find a volunteer from their class to fill the need.
I hope we have as responsive a unit of parents next year!
I recently became the President for our Teacher Parent Group and I am currently the secretary. We are having a problem with room parents that signup at the beginning of the year and then decided halfway through the year that they are not room parents. How does anyone deal with this kind of situation. The next school year I would like them to sign a room parent committment form. Does any one have this or any room parent training????
