200 likes | 717 Views
Oak Knoll Room Parent Welcome Meeting. 2007 - 2008. Agenda. Room Parent and Grade Level Coordinator roles Lessons learned in 2006-2007 Program improvements for 2007-2008 Other changes and updates Room Parent Resource Center Actions to take now Guest speakers. Room Parent Role.
E N D
Oak Knoll Room ParentWelcome Meeting 2007 - 2008
Agenda • Room Parent and Grade Level Coordinator roles • Lessons learned in 2006-2007 • Program improvements for 2007-2008 • Other changes and updates • Room Parent Resource Center • Actions to take now • Guest speakers
Room Parent Role • Four per classroom • Facilitate classroom parties • Coordinate classroom volunteers • Organize drivers for field trips • Help ensure strong communication between teacher and parents • Assist with classroom-related administrative tasks • Respond to ad-hoc requests • Manage teacher appreciation activities • Provide teacher with Oak Knoll yearbook
Lead Room Parent Role • One per class • Acts as primary point of contact for teacher • Manages division of responsibilities among room parents • Serves as primary liaison to parents, disseminating messages and information as needed • Acts as point of contact for GLCs and Room Parent Program Coordinators • Plays central role making sure ad hoc requests are delegated and fulfilled
Grade Level Coordinator Role • Two per grade • Help assign and contact room parents for every class in your grade • Make sure room parents have information needed for BTSN • Act as liaison between room parents in your grade and the PTO, school administration, and others as needed • Maintain monthly contact with room parents in your grade • Organize one grade-level social function during the year • Organize one year-end grade-level event • Monitor workload of room parent teams • Encourage participation in Oak Knoll programs
Teacher Appreciation Week was too close to the end of the year and felt “out of control” and inequitable across classrooms Response: Moved Teacher Appreciation Week - March 10th - 14th Created new Teacher Gift Guidelines Lessons Learned in 2006-2007:Teacher Appreciation Week
Teacher Appreciation Week Schedule • Monday - Homemade cards • Tuesday - Flowers • Wednesday - PTO Coffee Cart and breakfast treats (Provided by the PTO, no additional activity to be performed by room parents) • Thursday - Extra volunteer help • Friday - Your choice (total donated value less than $20)
Room parents felt like their job at the end of the year was too hectic, and there was too much to do Response: Moved Teacher Appreciation Week Clarified end-of-year activities Lessons Learned in 2006-2007:End of Year Responsibilities
End-of-Year Activities • Surveyed sample of teachers across all grades • To date, all grades but 4th celebrate the end of the year with one event for the entire grade (e.g., field day) • Few classrooms also have a class-specific year end party (depends on teacher preference)
Room parents felt like they lost track of what they needed to be doing at different times of the year Response: Created calendar of activities by month Planned a regular email communication schedule Lessons Learned in 2006-2007:Room Parent Communication
Other Changes for 2007-2008 • Emergency preparedness kits • Going green • Nutrition guidelines • Information about volunteering to be sent home before BTSN • Computer lab
Nutrition Guidelines • State of California has created nutrition guidelines for all California public schools • Up to the individual school districts how these guidelines are applied • Room parent implications: • No more than one party with food per month • Celebrations should occur after lunch if possible (except for half-day kindergarten) • Each party should have no more than one food or beverage that doesn’t meet the nutritional standards
Room Parent Resource Center • Found on Oak Knoll PTO website (www.oakknollpto.org) under Room Parent Resources • Everything in this folder, plus more! • Lots to help you prepare for BTSN • Sign-up sheet templates • Speaking points • Checklist to make sure you’re ready
Actions to Take Now • Meet with teacher and fellow room parents • Prepare for BTSN (refer to checklist) • Prepare volunteer sign-up sheets and family information sheet • Familiarize yourself with emergency preparedness kit • Understand district policies on driver forms (grades 1-5) • Prepare BRIEF presentation Back to School Night is Thursday, September 6th.
BRIEF BTSN Presentation • Introduce room parent team and MPAEF ambassador • Identify emergency preparedness kit • Encourage parents to sign-up for volunteer activities and to fill in the family information sheet • Pass our volunteer driver forms (grades 1-5) and recycling envelopes • Answer pressing questions
Wrap-up from BTSN • Turn in volunteer sign-up forms and/or start volunteer scheduling process no later than September 10th • Library, playground, Noteworthy Art, and PE coordinated centrally; put forms in designated folders in the office • All other scheduling handled at classroom level by room parents and/or teacher • Create electronic version of family information sheet and distribute to parents
Guest Speakers • Art room • Library • PE • Playground • Noteworthy Art • PTO Membership drive • Recycling • Accepting Our Differences