Room Parents

Room Parent Information 

Room Parent Information from Meeting 

Check out the Art Enrichment section of our site!

ART ENRICHMENT SIGN UP: Art Enrichment - Use to schedule and reserve materials   

Questions about Art Enrichment? Contact Michelle Schultz - mschultz8506@gmail.com

• Each classroom receives 4 visits from the volunteers(2 per lesson). Lessons can be scheduled from October thru April. Lessons can not be scheduled during the week of ISAT testing which is typically in March.

• All lessons should be completed by the end of April.

• Schedule lessons with the teacher. Teachers are expecting communication in September to begin planning out dates for the year.

• We have bins that are labeled and organized for every grade lesson. Bins contain all tools, supplies, and instructions to carry out lessons. Making it a very smooth process to have fun teaching an art class to students.

• We do not have enough materials or masterworks available for the same lesson to be taught in more than one classroom at a time. Once you have scheduled your dates with the teacher it is important to record them on the Art Enrichment calendar(located on PTO website/ Art Enrichment). This will reserve your materials.

• Ask the teacher to communicate with parents if it has the potential to be a messy lesson. This allows the students to dress accordingly. Link available on PTO website that allows you to preview the lessons.

• No younger siblings at lessons please.

• Please be prepared and on time to present your lesson within the scheduled time. 

• Bring your energy and a smile, you got this! The kids will be so excited. Remember to have fun with this. Walk around the room as the students are working on their art projects. This offers encouragement and celebrates their work.

SET UP SESSIONS 

1. Reach out to your classroom teacher to find out which days/times work best for Art Enrichment in their classroom.

Email Template: Asking a Teacher to Choose Art Enrichment Dates/Times

2. When the teacher responds, add the requested dates/times to the “Art Enrichment Schedules” doc. Leave 4 spaces between each date so that volunteers have space to record their contact information.  

Example of Art Enrichment Schedule 

3. Email Art Enrichment info. to families 

Email Template: Informing Families of Art Enrichment

4. Share the "Art Enrichment Schedule" with the classroom teacher and request that they include it in their newsletter/weekly email, if they send one.

Email Template: Sharing Art Enrichment Info. with Teacher

BEFORE EACH SESSION

About a week before each session, or once volunteers have signed up, send the "Art Enrichment Info. for Volunteers" link to the volunteers (LINK).

The teacher break room is stocked with snacks and drinks thanks to parent contributions. Each month, a different grade will have an opportunity to show teachers a little love and gratitude by stocking the breakroom.

The teachers have an ongoing wishlist on Amazon that can be sent to families if they prefer to order directly (Congress Park Teacher Break Room Wish List ). Room parents will communicate with students' parents in hopes to collect small donations ($ 5 each can go a long way). Room parents will then use funds to purchase items on behalf of grade. You can also bring in baked goods. Or, room parents can send the wishlist link to families. If they purchase from it, it can be sent directly to the school.

Room parents have the option to decorate the break room windows as well. Teachers go the extra mile to create a fun environment for our students everyday- this is when we get to spoil them a bit in return. The Dollar stores are a perfect resource to get a few decorations that represent the month. And tape them to the windows. This will absolutely add joy to their lunch break. 

Month        Grade

October         6th Grade

November 5th Grade

December 4th Grade

January         3rd Grade

February         2nd Grade

March          1st Grade

April             Kindergarten

When planning class parties you are free to work with other Room Parents in the same grade. This can help brainstorm ideas for games, crafts, and snacks. The goal is for all the students to have fun and create memories. That’s where the party hosts come in:) Have fun with it- bring your energy and a smile.

Halloween Party – 10/31/24

• Halloween Party Volunteer Sign Up 

• Maximum of 4 volunteers

• Room parents organize and provide games, crafts, and a treat

• 1 hour for party

Winter Party-12/20/24

• Winter Party Volunteer Sign Up 

• Maximum of 4 volunteers

• Room parents organize and provide games, crafts, and a treat

• 1 hour for party

Party Guidelines:

• Food & Drink- 1 treat and 1 drink can be offered at each party. A description must be provided in advance. This enables families to consider their student’s allergies or dietary restrictions. They can choose to send their student with an alternative treat/drink for the party.

• You are given 30 minutes before the party to decorate and prepare the classroom.

• Communicate party plans a week in advance to teachers.

• You can bring decorations that you own/ display in your own home for parties. This is a great way to save funds while decorating for the theme. Try to stay away from items that are glass/fragile.

Some examples of party plans:

• 4 stations with 2 crafts and 2 games-Students will rotate from station to station every 10 minutes(teacher can help with time management) This will bring you to about 45 minutes. The remaining 15 minutes can be used for their treat and drink. 

• 4 stations with 1 craft  and 1 game- Students will rotate from a craft station to a game station after 15 minutes(teacher can help with time management)  This will bring you to about 35 minutes. The remaining 25 minutes can be used for music/dance parties and treat/drink.

• An additional format can be used for 2nd thru 6th grade- each classroom will host one of the 3 party activities(craft/ games/ snack & story). Students will have 15 minutes in each host classroom, then rotate to the next room until they have visited all 3 classrooms. Ideally, they should finish their rotations to end in their homeroom.   

Funding

• The PTO will offer a contribution of  $4 per student towards class party funds for the school year.

•  Room parents- come to an agreement on how funds will be budgeted for the year. Typically, they are divided between both class parties to assist in expenses.

• To access the funds, please submit a request for reimbursement to our PTO Treasurer, Chris. Link to Google form is available here: Check/Reimbursement Request 

• Reimbursement requests must be made within a week of the party.

Photos

• Photos taken during parties can be submitted to the yearbook at cpyearbook@yahoo.com

Teacher Appreciation Week

In May, the PTO’s Teacher Appreciation Week Committee plans out activities that show our gratitude for the faculty and staff. We ask Room Parents to work together with committee and student families to participate at a class level.

Teacher Gifting

There are many opportunities to shower our faculty and staff with gifts to celebrate them.

• Birthday

• Holiday

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• Classroom wishlist

• End of year 

When a Room Parent reaches out to coordinate gifting, please remember to communicate to families that:

• It is optional to contribute to group gifts.

• Group gifts will always come from the entire class. Regardless of which families participated in a monetary contribution.

• Some of the best and most memorable gifts are homemade pictures or handwritten letters from students or parents.

Each  staff members' favorite things are listed here:   Teacher Favorites & Wishlists