1 what is a room parent? 2. what does a room...
TRANSCRIPT
1 What is a Room Parent?
2. What does a Room Parent
do?
3. Where do I start?
4. Room Parent Checklist
5. Shutterfly
6. Room Parent Events
7. Teacher Gift Guide
8. Class Activity Fund
9. Reimbursement
A room parent is every teacher’s biggest
helper. As a room parent, you will act as a
liaison between teachers, PTO and
parents and ensure the school year is as
organized and as much fun as possible. Thank
you for volunteering your
valuable time and congratulations on
becoming a room parent. We know you will do
a great job!
Signed,
Vanessa Flores, Principal
Tricia Onufer, PTO President
Questions? Email [email protected]
Helps the
teacher
communicate
with parents Shares ideas and
best practices
with other room
parents
Orders class
shirts (ask your
teacher if she
has an existing
theme!)
Collects
money and/or
supplies as
needed
Recruits other
volunteers and
delegates
responsibilities
Oversees class
events and
parties
Manages class
Shutterfly
account
Schedule a meeting with teacher to determine what his
or her preferences/expectations/needs are. (This can
also be done over email!)
Get class shirts ordered by end of 2nd week of
school (see list of suggested vendors)
Create class Shutterfly account (get roster and
email addresses from teacher)
Build a calendar on Shutterfly of school and
class events
Delegate! Ask for volunteers for different events
(class party coordinators, gift collection,
coordinators, etc.)
Send a welcome letter to parents introducing
yourself as this year’s room parent(s).
Meet with your child’s
teacher either in person or via
Create class Shutterfly and
send welcome e-mail to parents
Create list of activities for
the year and determine what you
will need for each event
Ask parents to sign up for
volunteer positions through
Shutterfly
Make sure pictures are
uploaded to Shutterfly
throughout the year
Order class shirts ASAP!
Classroom Share sites are
free private websites that
let parents and teachers
easily share photos and
videos to stay connected to
the classroom. Plus, access
and manage your Classroom
Share site on the go with
Shutterfly Share sites app.
Why Shutterfly? It’s a one-stop shop for parents to see
schedule, sign up to chaperone/bring snacks, ask other parents
about homework assignments — you name it!
Our yearbook committee pulls pictures from each
classroom’s Shutterfly site, so it’s important that each class has
pictures uploaded to the site.
Don’t worry if you aren’t able to attend all events! Ask other
parents to take pictures and upload to the site.
Getting started is easy! Visit https://www.shutterfly.com/
classroom-share/ and the site will walk you through the steps!
Once you set it up, it is pretty much done for the year. Add as
much as you want. There’s a sample site that can be seen at
https://classroomsamplesite.shutterfly.com/
Don’t forget to add Lisa Miller, yearbook coordinator, to
your Shutterfly: [email protected]
Fall/Winter Events
Order T-Shirts
Boosterthon: coordinate
water/snacks/volunteers
Halloween: coordinate
Halloween party/treat bags
Carnival: Arrange
Volunteers
Determine class basket for
Gala (or designate a class
basket coordinator)
Winter Party: Get with
teacher to determine
guidelines/activities/items
needed and recruit
volunteers as needed
Holiday Gift for Teacher(s):
coordinate class gift for
teacher (Optional)
Spring events
Valentine’s Day: Coordinate
party/class activity/treat bags
Teacher Appreciation Week:
coordinate events/volunteers
for daily events
Field Day: Coordinate
popsicles/water/volunteers
End of Year Party: Get with
teacher to determine
guidelines/activities/items
needed and recruit
volunteers as needed
Testing: Coordinate snacks/
drinks for students during
standardized testing (see
teacher for testing schedule
End of Year Gift for
Teacher(s):
coordinate class gift for
teacher (Optional)
**All above activities may be delegated to a volunteer(s)!
Typical gift occasions include: birthdays (or half-birthdays),
holidays, Teacher Appreciation Week, End of Year
A group gift is not mandatory but please note: most room parents
opt to do a group gift.
When collecting money from class, please make it clear that
participation in the class gift is optional.
Use ideas from “teacher’s favorites” and wish list you collected at
beginning of school year.
Other room parents are a great resource for gift-giving ideas!
Room Parent Activity Fund
Each class will have a class activity fund of $25
per student. (This is collected online or at Early
Bird Market.) Class activity funds must be used
towards class shirts. Up to $15/student should be
spent on class shirts. (It is often less). One shirt
per student is covered by this fund and parents/
guardians should not be asked for money for the
first shirt. Additional shirts are financial
responsibility of the parents/guardians.
Your biggest expense will be the class shirts; you may pay out of
pocket and get reimbursed OR submit t-shirt invoice and the check
will be sent directly to the t-shirt company.
Remaining class funds should be used to supplement class parties/
events. Please note: you may still have to recruit volunteers for party
supplies as the remaining funds may not cover the entire party.
Your fund will be held by the PTO Treasurer. You may ask what your
remaining balance is at any time by e-mailing [email protected].
Receipts should be turned in for reimbursement to the PTO
Treasurer’s box. It can be found in the teacher’s mailroom; when you
walk in, it is on the floor.
Only collect money on event-by-event basis; please do not collect at
beginning of year for all events.
Preferred T-Shirt Vendor:
Buffalo Specialties: An’drea Boren,
[email protected], 713-271-6107
How to Get Reimbursed
1) Fill out a reimbursement form (please be as
detailed as you can, i.e. “Holiday party paper plates
and napkins”); most important is your contact
information and classroom information.
2)Attach receipts/invoices. You will not be
reimbursed without a receipt/invoice.
3) Place in PTO Treasurer’s box (located in teacher’s mailroom
— it is on the floor, to the right. When in doubt, ask someone at
the front desk, they will point you in the right direction! :)
4) Our treasurer will contact you to let you know when your
reimbursement check is ready for you.
Questions about reimbursement? E-mail [email protected].