Merry Christmas

The Gift of Time

Through each year we enjoy the newness of spring, the warmth summer, the beauty of autumn’s colors, and the anticipation of winter’s snow. As we celebrate this holiday season let us pause to reflect on how we pass time. Robert W. Merriweather stated, “Time is the most precious gift one can give. Each moment is unique because it will never happen again…the gift of your time spent with others is the ultimate display of unconditional love.” Thank you for giving the gift of time to so many this year…your family, workplace, friends, church, and NFES. As you celebrate this season, continue to give the gift of time to others and yourself...relax, read, and reflect. May you have a very Merry Christmas!

Meeting Minutes - December 9, 2010

Minutes from NFES PTO Room Parent Committee Meeting

December 9, 2010 @ 5:30

I.    Call to Order:

II. Guest Speaker Jade Bolton, NFES Principal thanked Room Parents for their commitment to the school. She mentioned the classroom parties are a highlight for the students. Principal Bolton relayed the importance of parental involvement in the classroom and the good example for the children. She closed with an invitation for Room Parents to contact her or Vice Principal Spicer if assistance is needed.

III. Unfinished Business:

A. Teacher Expectations/Room Parent Responsibilities - Room Parents provided an update of their working relationship with their homeroom teachers. Each communicated they have a good understanding of their teacher's expectations.

B. Feedback on Fall Character Day Party - Room Parents provided feedback on the Fall Party.

1. Overall, most classrooms had a well planned party, but one classroom had a food shortage.  The group suggested the Committee implement an emergency communication system to use when problems or shortages occur during parties.

2. The group discussed financial support/donations from parents - A few classrooms did not receive enough financial support so the Room Parents had to pay out of pocket for party supplies and food. The Room Parents were encouraged to use follow-up notes, email messages, and telephone calls to remind parents about the donations. Also, the group discussed using another method (instead of asking for financial donations ask for specific items).

C. Room Parent Expense Report - Room Parents were reminded to submit the Expense Report and Receipts to their homeroom teachers after each party.

IV. New Business/Open Forum:

A. Holiday Party (December 16^th @1:15) - Discussed upcoming party, planning, and expectations. Room Parents were encouraged to work closely with homeroom teachers on party activities

B. Room Parent Blog - Room Parents mentioned they have accessed the blog and find it very helpful. No suggestions for improvement. 

C. Online Room Parent Documents - Room Parents appreciate having easy access to the forms and find them easy to access via NFES' website

D. Teacher Assistance - Room Parents advised they do not have a weekly or monthly classroom volunteer schedule; however, they assist with events (field trip, projects, etc.) as needed. A few Room Parents work in the classroom or volunteer for PTO activities a few times a month when they are available.

E. Ideas & Suggestions for improving the Room Parent Role/Committee - Room Parents expressed their appreciation for having an organized forum and support.

1. Suggestion to have more meetings.

2. Suggestion to meet when there are no conflicts with PTO meetings.

3. Suggestion for implementation of an emergency communication system to use the day of parties.  

F. Q&A

1. A Room Parent inquired about asking parents for donations for classroom supplies (hand sanitizer, tissues, etc.). Room Parents were encouraged consult with their homeroom teachers regarding classroom supplies. Teachers may already have a system in place to solicit additional supplies for the classroom. 

V. Adjournment - Next Meeting: Thursday, February 17 @ 6:00 p.m.

Agenda - Room Parent Committee Meeting

NFES PTO Room Parent Committee Meeting

December 9, 2010 @ 5:30 (BEFORE PTO Meeting)

I.                    Call to Order:

II.                 Minutes from October 21^st meeting: (see below)

III.               Guest Speaker: Principal Jade Bolton, NFES

IV.              Unfinished Business:

a.      Teacher Expectations/Room Parent Responsibilities

b.      Feedback on Fall Character Day Party

c.      Room Parent Expense Report

V.                 New Business/Open Forum:

a.      Room Parent Committee Mission & Objectives (R.O.O.M. – Reassuring, Organizing, Offering, Mindfully)

b.      Holiday Party Preparation (December 16^th @1:15)

c.      Room Parent Blog (Access, Usefulness)

d.      Online Room Parent Documents – NFES website (Access)

e.      Teacher Assistance (Weekly/Monthly Parental Volunteers)

f.        Ideas & Suggestions for improving the Room Parent Role/Committee

VI.              Adjournment:

a.      Q & A

b.      Next Meeting: Thursday, February 17^th at 6:00 (following PTO meeting)

Minutes from October 21^st Meeting

·        Call to Order:

·        Ice Breaker: R.O.O.M. (Reassuring Ours & Others Mindfully)

·        Unfinished Business (Information):

o       Room Parent Role

o       Room Parent Committee Forms

o       Value of Teacher/Room Parent Meeting

o       Value of Room Parent Introduction to Parents

·        New Business/Open Forum (Discussion):

o       Teacher Expectations/Room Parent Responsibilities

o       Online access to Room Parent forms – NFES PTO website

o       Recruiting Other Parents - “Tips and Tools of Successful Recruiting!”

o       Monetary & Non-Monetary Contributions from Parents

o       Party Sign-up Letters

o       Financial Accountability – Room Parent Expense Report

o       Best Practices - Room Parent Best Practices Guide

o       Q & A

·        Adjournment:

Room Parent Documents

Room Parent documents and the blog link have been added to NFES's web site. 

Click http://216.77.96.35/schoolhp/nfes/pto.htm for the following:

Class Party Letters
Room Parent Committee Documents
Parent Volunteer Recruitment Forms 

Request for Room Parent Documents on NFES Website

Greetings Room Parents! I am pleased to announce the Principal has approved the request to have Room Parent documents and links uploaded to NFES's web site. I have forwarded all the documents to the PTO President for approval by the Executive Board. Upon approval, NFES' Technology Specialist will upload the documents to the PTO section of the web site. I am hopeful the online documents will be available to you, the teachers, and parents no later than November 29th. Stay tuned... 

Unique Gift Idea for School Employees that Benefit Fayette's Schools

Looking for a unique gift for a teacher, bus driver, paraprofessional, cafeteria worker, custodian, or school office professional that you can feel good about giving? The Fayette County Education Foundation has the perfect solution just in time for the holiday season, or any occasion that calls for special recognition.


Add a school employee’s name to the Fayette County Education Foundation’s Honor Roll by making a donation in honor of that person. A minimum $5 donation places the employee’s name on the foundation’s Honor Roll. The recipient will receive a certificate suitable for framing telling him or her of your donation. Honor Rolls will also be sent to the local newspapers for publication.


One hundred percent of all donations received will be returned to Fayette’s public schools in the form of grants for educational programs not provided for in the schools’ budgets. All donations are tax deductible.


Honor Roll forms, along with specific instructions on how to complete your donation, can be downloaded from the Fayette County Board of Education website, www.fcboe.org. Click on “general information” and then “Fayette County Education Foundation.” Select “Fayette County Education Foundation” again and scroll to the bottom for the form titled “Employee Honor Roll Form.”


Honor Roll donations are accepted any time throughout the school year. Recipients will receive notification of your gift during the last week of the semester in which you signed up, before the Christmas break or summer break. The deadline for ensuring delivery before the Christmas break is November 29.


The Fayette County Education Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. The foundation has given nearly $180,000 to Fayette’s public classroom teachers during its eight-year history. Your contribution to the Honor Roll program has the potential to impact every student in Fayette County. What greater honor can there be for an educator?


For more information about the Honor Roll or the Fayette County Education Foundation, contact Melinda Berry-Dreisbach at 770-460-3535 or email berrydreisbach.melinda@fcboe.org.


Source: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/DetailNews.aspx?S=4067&NID=1344&NTID=1

Holiday Party Planning

The Holiday Party is Thursday, December 16th at 1:15. Let's plan early by discussing the party letters, gift exchange ideas, and menu with the homeroom teachers. Our letters should include information about the party, gift exchange (if applicable), and teacher gift (if applicable). Let's try to have our letters sent home to the parents no later than Wednesday, December 1st. This will give us two weeks for donation collection and follow-up calls. 

Your homeroom teacher may have preferences on teacher gifts (from students to teacher) and student gift exchanges (student to student).

• Some teachers provide gifts to the children so that parents do not have to purchase gifts.
• Some teachers allow the children to bring a gift (minimal cost) to participate in the gift exchange.
• Some teachers do not prefer to have gift exchanges due to cultural sensitivities and cost.

The highlights of the holiday party are the gift exchange, playing with new toys, watching the movie, and eating holiday treats. If your class is not having a gift exchange, then consider incorporating the movie, some games and/or a craft, and eating holiday treats. Remember to arrive no later than 12:30 to begin your set-up and have fun!


Here are some helpful resources:

The Better Practices Guide (NFES Room Parent Resources)

Holiday Diversity (intended for teachers, but good information for room parents) http://www.teachervision.fen.com/tv/features/hol_diversity_index.html

The Holiday Dilemma: Finding Cultural Balance Throughout the Year (great information for teachers and room parents)

http://www.mindnurture.com/holidaydilemma

Ideas for activities, decorating, games, goodies, planning, and snacks:
http://www.ehow.com/list_6963377_ideas-kids_-christmas-parties.html

http://www.fundraiseralley.com/teachers/christmastips.html

http://childparenting.about.com/od/funcelebrations/a/Christmastreats.htm

Happy Thanksgiving!

It is hard to believe the holiday season is just around the corner. In just 12 days we will celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. As I reflect on the joys and trials of this year I pause to say thank you for your willingness to serve as Room Parents at NFES. Despite the challenges we are facing nationally, locally, and individually I know our contributions are making a difference. Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future.” I am grateful for your sacrifice of time and resources to build the youth at NFES. May you have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

Party Feedback - Sharing Ideas

As previously mentioned, this blog was created for us to share ideas. Let's get the discussion rolling with some feedback on the Fall/Character Day Parties.


What was the highlight of the party?
What would you do again?
What would you avoid in the future?

Fall Character Day Party

Greetings:

The Fall Character Day Party is Friday, October 29^th at 1:15.  Check with your homeroom teacher regarding her preferences for set-up times. Arriving no later than 12:30 will give you enough time to make a few trips to the car and set-up the classroom.  Remember to avoid scary decorations (witches, bats, ghosts, haunted houses). The focus of this party should be on “Book Characters” rather than Halloween. Pumpkins, fall foliage, or orange décor is suitable. You are welcome to dress in a suitable costume. The children really enjoy seeing adults dressed up in funny costumes.  Also, check the Better Practices Guide for food and game ideas. Have a great party!

Resource List

The following resources have been published via email. Send a note to my personal email address (AOL) if you are missing a document.

Agenda - Room Parent Committee Meeting (October)
Agenda for Initial Meeting Between Teacher and Room Parents

Build a Multicultural PTO

Classroom Volunteer Sign-ups

End of Year Party Letter (English & Spanish)

Fall Character Day Party Letter (English & Spanish)

Family Information Sheet

Holiday Party Letter (English & Spanish)

Room Parent Best Practices Guide

Room Parent Binder

Room Parent Expense Reimbursement Request

Room Parent Committee (Duties & Members’ Contact Info)

Room Parent Introduction to Parents

Room Parent Volunteer Form

School Year Party Sign-up Letter (four parties)

School Year Party Sign-up Letter 2 (three parties)

So You Want to Be A Room Parent

Tips and Tools for Successful Recruiting

Valentine's Day Party Letter (English & Spanish)

Agenda - Room Parent Committee Meeting

NFES PTO Room Parent Committee Meeting

October 21, 2010 @ 6:30 (following PTO Meeting)

A. Call to Order

B. Minutes: None (first meeting of year)

C. Ice Breaker: R.O.O.M. (Reassuring Ours & Others Mindfully)

D. Unfinished Business:

1.     Overview of Room Parent Role

2.     Room Parent Committee Forms (disseminated via email)

a.     Room Parent Committee Duties & Name List

b.    Fall Character Day Party Letter (English/Spanish)

c.     School Year Party Sign-up Letter

d.    Agenda for Initial Meeting between Teacher/Room Parent

e.     Classroom Volunteer Sign-up forms

f.      Family Information Sheet

g.     Room Parent Binder

3.     Teacher/Room Parent Meeting: Expectations & Planning

4.     Room Parent Introduction to Parents: Email or Telephone

E. New Business:

1.     Teacher Expectations

2.     Online access to Room Parent forms – NFES PTO website

3.     Recruiting Other Parents - “Tips and Tools of Successful Recruiting!” (to be emailed)

4.     Monetary Contributions from Parents

a.     Approaches – Monetary ($3) * Non-monetary donations * Both

b.    Party Sign-up Letters

5.     Financial Accountability – Room Parent Expense Report (to be emailed)

F. Open Forum:

1.     Best Practices - Room Parent Best Practices Guide (to be emailed)

2.     Q & A

G. Adjournment:

1.     Summary

2.     Next Meeting: Thursday, December 9^th 6:30 (following PTO Meeting)

Welcome to the R.O.O.M.

Greetings!


Welcome to the Room Parent Committee Blog. I decided to create this blog to send monthly Room Parent Committee updates, provide links to helpful online resources, and as a forum for Room Parents to share ideas. 


Security Note:
Use first names only (Sheila - 2nd grade Room Parent).
No personal information (addresses, telephone, or email).
Use my personal AOL email address for sensitive classroom matters.

Reassuring*Organizing*Offering*Mindfully

 (R.O.O.M.)