Each year, the PTO helps coordinate the Room Parents and Social Hosts for each classroom at Willard Elementary. There are typically 5 openings for volunteers for each teacher’s class.
Room Parents
Four (4) room parent volunteers will help plan and execute three (3) classroom parties during the school year (Halloween, Winter, End of Year). The Room Parents also help organize teacher gifts (typically around Winter Break and End of Year). The PTO supplies a reimbursement of $50/party per class to help purchase food and supplies for the party (materials for crafts and games, napkins or plates, decorations, etc.)
One (1) parent is the designated liaison between the room parents and the classroom teacher, and all four (4) parents help coordinate the parties, take photos during the parties (or other special classroom events) and help gather optional donations for a teacher gift (and purchase of the gift or gift card).
Dates of Winter and End of Year parties are determined by the times offered by the classroom teacher, but the Halloween party typically takes place school-wide on Halloween (In 2023, the Halloween party will be held between 9-10 am). The parties are typically about 1 hour long during the school day, and the Room Parents typically help arrange for a snack (see approved snack list), a few games and a craft activity for students to rotate through during the party. Parents are encouraged to keep things simple – easy to set up and take down in a limited amount of time!
Being a room parent can be a relatively easy way to help support your child’s classroom and meet other parents. The time commitment is typically only a few hours of planning and prep for the parties, participation at the parties, and a few hours each semester for organizing teacher gifts, but the time is typically divided among 4 parents, so it can be even less than that!
Parent Social Hosts
A volunteer social host typically coordinates and hosts a social gathering at their home for parents and guardians of their child’s class and the teacher. Although any time is accepted, these adult-only parties are typically held in the fall as a way for parents to get to know other parents in their child’s class. Make it a potluck or BYO party, and ask guests bring a shareable appetizer/beverage, so everyone can contribute. Or feel free to coordinate with the social hosts for the other classes in your grade to combine parties and share the hosting duties. Parties can be held in your home, at a park, in a restaurant or wherever is most convenient for the host(s), and should be inclusive and welcoming to all parents in the class.
Parent Socials are an excellent way to meet fellow parents in the community and interact with your child’s teacher at the beginning of the year.
Some tips to make the socials even more inclusive:
- Create a sign-up to allow folks to bring a small food item to contribute to the party
- Be sure to invite the teacher to attend; you may want to coordinate with the teacher to select a date they can attend before scheduling the party
- Offer nametags and encourage individuals to put their own name and their child’s name on the nametag (and teacher, too, for combined parties)
- For Kindergarten or First Grade parties, consider an ice breaker that might help encourage conversations with new people, such as conversation topics by room or “Who’s the famous person on my back?”
This role’s responsibilities are typically concluded in the fall once the party has been hosted, so it’s a great way to volunteer without a full-year commitment. The PTO also provides a $50 reimbursement for each class to cover some food and supplies purchases (cups, plates, napkins, etc.) to help host the party.
Timing
The room parents are responsible for 3 parties (Halloween, Winter and End of Year) as well as organizing teacher gifts (Winter and End of Year).
The Parent Socials are typically held in the fall.
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