Room Parents

Check out the Art Enrichment section of our site!

ART ENRICHMENT SIGN UP: COMING SOON! 

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

SET UP SESSIONS 

NOTE:

• 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.

• Please monitor your grade's sign ups. Once set of each lesson's supplies exists, and so cannot be assigned to be used by 2 classrooms at the same time.

• No younger siblings at Art Enrichment lessons, please.

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 Format 

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 share it with families.

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 COMING SOON! 

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 maintaining the stock.

Month Grade

October 6

November 5

December 4

January 3

February 2

March         1

April K

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 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. This will absolutely add joy to their lunch break. 

When planning class parties, you are strongly encouraged to work with other Room Parents in the same grade. This can help you 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 – 10/31/25

• HALLOWEEN PARTY VOLUNTEER SIGN UP COMING SOON!

• Maximum of 4 volunteers

• Room parents organize games, crafts, and a treat

• Preparation time in classroom = 30 min

• Party duration = 1 hour 

Winter Party-12/19/25

• WINTER PARTY VOLUNTEER SIGN UP COMING SOON!

• Maximum of 4 volunteers

• Room parents organize games, crafts, and a treat

• Preparation time in classroom = 30 min

• Party duration = 1 hour 

Party Planning Guidelines:

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

• Volunteers must be added to [LINK COMING SOON] 1 week in advance. This allows the secretaries to prepare for a smooth arrival process. Please ask volunteers to sign up for 1 party to ensure that enough parents who would like to join in on the fun have the opportunity to do so. If the sign up does not fill up close to the party date, parents can sign up for a second party.

• Communicate party plans to your teacher(s).

  • IF YOU WOULD LIKE FEEDBACK/SUGGESTIONS, send party plans/reach out to teacher 2  weeks in advance.

  • If you do not need your teacher's advice, send party plans 1 week in advance.

    • In this case, please do not CC your teacher on planning email threads.

Some examples of party plans:

• Each classroom in a given grade level will host one of the 3 party activities (craft/ games/ snack & story). Students will have 15 minutes in each 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.   

• 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.

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 2 week of the party. Beyond 2 weeks, your purchases cannot be reimbursed.

Photos

• Photos taken during parties can be submitted to the yearbook at yearbook@congressparkpto.org.

Teacher Appreciation Week

In May, the PTO’s Teacher Appreciation Week Committee plans 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.

• Birthdays

• Holidays

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• Classroom wishlists

• 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 offered 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:   [LINK COMING SOON]