Homeroom Parent FAQ and Guidebook
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is Homeroom Parent for me?
Ralph Parr Elementary PTA Tasks
- Become a member of the PTA
- Complete CCISD’s background check
- Maintain communication with other parents, grade level leader, and volunteer coordinator
- Coordinate classroom art projects and basket donations for Winter Wonderland and Carnival
- Coordinate help to notify parents of volunteer opportunities and PTA events
- Coordinate teacher appreciation week decorating and tokens
Ralph Parr Elementary School Tasks
- Delegate planning and preparation of three (3) class parties
- Winter Party – December
- Valentine Party – February
- End of Year Party – May
- 5th Grade Clap-out last day of school
- Assist your teacher with special projects or events
- Organize field day needs (i.e. snacks, blankets, canopies, etc.)
- Chaperone field trips
Go to parrpta.org/signups and Log in/Register and click on the grade your child is in and then select the teacher. Enter requested information. If you have not registered yet with the PTA please go to joinpta.org to register and also don't forget your background check https://apps.ccisd.net/VolunteerRegistration/VolunteerRegistration.aspx
Delegate planning and preparation of three (3) class parties
- Winter Party - December
- Valentine Party - February
- End of Year Party - May
- 5th Grade Clap-out last day of school
Kindergarten includes additional parties
- Thanksgiving - November
- Egg Hunt - March/April
Additional Activities
- Winter Wonderland Baskets
- Carnival Baskets/Artwork
- Field Day
- Teacher Appreciation Events/Week
- Field Trips
Yes. We require all Homeroom parents to be Parr PTA members. To join go to joinpta.org
We also require that you are background checked since you are a volunteer who will be in the classroom. Click here to get start the process https://apps.ccisd.net/VolunteerRegistration/VolunteerRegistration.aspx
Yes. Require that you are background checked since you are a volunteer who will be in the classroom. Click here to get start the process https://apps.ccisd.net/VolunteerRegistration/VolunteerRegistration.aspx
No. Find a co-homeroom parent to help you out. We will have signup available for two people per classroom.
You can also request help from parents ahead of time for the day of the event. If you ask they will come!
Find a co-homeroom parent or a parent who can support the day of the events. Split up tasks to help balance the load. One person shops and the other person runs the party. You don't have to be a Stay at Home parent to help out.
You are not required to do additional school projects or PTA events but if you would like to help out or other parents ask what they can do to help out the teacher or the school here are some examples.
Examples:
- Copying
- Cutting
- Laminating
- Binding
- Picking items up from Teacher Center
OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
- October - PTA’s Trunk or Treat
- October/November - Red Ribbon Week
- November - Thanksgiving Feast in the Cafeteria
- December - Winter Wonderland
- February – FIT Week
- April – School Play
Please check the CCISD Parr calendar and the PTA website for more information.
As the homeroom parent you send a request out to the parents. The money or items you receive is what you have to for the party. Usual request is $5 per student for each party or items of equivalent cost.
Send an email to homeroomcoord@parrpta.org
Or fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.
Now I am a Homeroom Parent... What do I do?
A request will be sent out by the teacher asking parents to provide their contact information for your class roster. You will work with your teacher to make sure that each student has at least one adult you can contact.
You have two responsibilities involving the roster:
- Maintain the roster. If students are added to the class please add their information to the roster. If a student leaves the class, please remove that child from the roster.
- We must retain privacy rights and the safety of our children. These rosters are not to be released to the public. They are for the sole purpose of communication between the parents of the class. The roster can only be provided to your class’s parents if consent is provided from all parents.
Volunteers – You will be given all the information about carnival and a website link where parents will sign up to volunteer. This is very important! You will be asked to send emails asking your parents to volunteer their time.
Artwork – Each class will have a class artwork project that will be auctioned off during carnival. It is the Homeroom Parent’s duty to assist in the completion of this art project. Project types have not been decided yet, so if you have some preference or input, please email fundraising@parrpta.org.
Baskets- Each class will also work on a ‘theme’ basket to be auctioned off at carnival (and Winter Wonderland). The Homeroom Parent is responsible for the coordination and assembling of the basket.
We would love to hear from you!
Please email fundraising@parrpta.org ...
- If you want to be a part of the Carnival Planning Team
- Have any ideas
- Any feedback about what worked or didn't work in the area that you volunteered in last year
- Any feedback you have from other carnivals or functions that you have attended or volunteered for as well
- Art Auction suggestions
Teacher Appreciation Luncheons
- ONE in FALL - Parents of students in grades K-2 will be asked to donate food and/or help serve.
- ONE IN March - Parents of students in grades 3-5 will be asked to donate food and/or help serve.
- Your job as home room parent is to assist the PTA in communicating these events to your classroom when it’s your time to participate. You will be provided with a website link where parents can sign up for what is needed and to volunteer to help.
Teacher Appreciation Week
- Teacher appreciation week is May 4-8th 2020.
- The PTA will have suggested token gifts, a decorating theme, and activities that students can bring or do to show their appreciation.
- If you wish, you may coordinate a gift from the class in addition to these tokens.
- As a 501C-3 educational charity, Ralph Parr Elementary PTA is not allowed to do more than token items as an appreciation for our teachers, and any gifts should be in the form of items that can be utilized for teaching purposes. However, parents are not under the same umbrella and may chose to do a wide variety of fun things.
NOTES:
Parents may wish to recognize their teachers in a small token way on other occasions as well. However, please do not plan class parties as this would disrupt the teachers’ schedule.
These activities and suggested events are completely voluntary. This in no way obligates anyone to bring presents to the teachers.
Dates and locations will be announced at a later time as each grade level has different field trips and different needs
Homeroom Parents are given priority to chaperone field trips.
Other parents may be asked to chaperone as well.
Since there are generally Two Homeroom Parents per class, some parents may need to alternate.
These guidelines have been created in conjunction with administration. Please check with your teacher, Grade Level Lead Parent, or the Volunteer Coordinator if you have any questions.
DO!
- Check with the teacher to see if there are any students with food allergies. Be sure to plan the menu accordingly if there are.
- Contact your parents 2-3 weeks in advance to request items and help with the party. All letters included in this guidebook have been pre-approved and may be modified with your information and distributed to the parents without any further review. They can be duplicated onto theme stationery or colored papers to coordinate with the event.
- Submit any other emails or letters through the Principal before sending out.
- Purchase your own paper to make copies on.
- Plan on arriving approximately 30 minutes prior to the party to set up.
- Plan on staying the entire time or designating someone to stay in your place.
- Plan on leaving the room as clean as you found it.
- Remember parties should only be one hour, unless otherwise noted.
- Ask for help from other class parents.
- Serve only clear drinks, please.
- Plan on bringing a dust buster if you decide to decorate with glitter or confetti.
- Be aware of games with choking hazards.
- Remind parents this is a class party for the student and not for younger siblings. It is understood that some parents may not be able to attend unless they bring their smaller children with them, but they should not assume they will be included in games and crafts.
- Ensure the student count if passing out party favors.
- Plan on bringing your own ice and/or coolers and not using ice from the school cafeteria.
DON’T
- Ask parents for more then $5.00 per student to cover party expenses. However, you can ask parents to donate specific items for the party such as plates, decorations, and food or drink items. A list can be added at the bottom of the “approved letter” to parents!
- Forget to ask for help from your Grade Level Lead, Homeroom Parent Coordinator, or any board member of the PTA if you have any questions!
- Assume you will be able to borrow items the day of the event. It’s best to have a bag of tricks ready in case you need anything. Suggested items: Scotch tape, masking tape, packing tape, glue, extension cords, wet wipes, scissors, string and/or fishing line, push pins, stapler, rubber bands, twist ties, baggies, paper clips, paper towels.
Four weeks before
- Meet with the teacher to get an idea of what kind of party/activity they would like to do.
- Decide on a theme for your party and make a list of decorating items you might need.
- Get event communications ready to go out.
- Decide on games and activities. If you are ordering online from places like oriental trading company, you need to allow yourself three weeks for delivery.
- Take inventory of any supplies you may already have.
Three weeks before
- Make your party menu list and send out an email to parents to get started.
- Shop for any seasonal items that may get bought quickly.
- Shop for supplies for your games, crafts, etc.
Two weeks before
- Check on any online orders you have placed.
- Check with teacher to see who has turned in any forms/money.
- Make a checklist of who is bringing what items.
One week before
- Confirm with parents what they are bringing.
- Ask for 2-3 parents to arrive a few minutes early to help you with set- up.
Party time
- Make sure you have extension cords and other supplies to help with decorations.
- Rearrange desks.
- Hang up decorations.
- Set up food table.
Below you’ll find suggestions for decorations, activities, games, and food.
These are just a starting point for you. More ideas are available online. Refer to the resource section for details.
Holiday Party Themes
- Snowflakes
- Snowmen
- Gingerbread men
- Pine trees
Activities & Games
- Gingerbread ornaments
- Pinecone skier
- Sweet wreaths
- Toilet paper snowball fight
- Pass the snowball
- Book exchange
- Candy Canes
Valentine Party Activities & Games
- Hearts
- Fun Frames
- Sugar Cookie Fun
- Valentine Card Exchange
- Hearts Afire
- Candy Count
- Broken Hearts
- Valentine Says
End of Year Party Themes
- Luau
- Backwards Upside Down Party
- Earth Day Party
- Journal/Scrapbook Party
Activities & Games
- Limbo contest
- Luau games
- Backwards races
- Create journals or scrapbooks to remember the year.
The example letter may be distributed to the classroom without any further approval. Any other communications must be routed through the Principal for approval before distribution to the classroom.
Oriental trading has lots of cute themed consumables. Plus if you go though www.boxtops4education.com a portion of all sales go back to the school.
The teacher center is available for die-cuts. You may bring your own paper or purchase it from the center.
http://party.kaboose.com/
http://www.partydirectory.com/