Thank You for Your Service!

Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. 

You don't have to have a college degree to serve. 

You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. 

You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. 

You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love. 

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Valentine's Day Party Planning

Valentine’s Day is two weeks away. The classroom parties will be held on Thursday, February 14th from 1:00 to 2:00. The highlight of this party is the Valentine’s card exchange.

Let’s plan early by consulting with the teachers to seek guidance and preferences for the Valentine’s party. Second, utilize the Valentine’s Day Party letters (English & Spanish) found in the PTO/Room Parents section of the school’s website to inform parents, solicit donations and volunteers. Feel free to modify the letters…you may want to ask parents to contribute specific items rather than monetary contributions. 

Plan to send the letters home soon, but no later than February 4^th to give you and the parents enough time to plan. Third, you (or the teacher) will need to compile a list of the students’ names to accompany the party letter. The list is needed for the students to address their Valentine’s Day cards. Lastly, make this a fun and meaningful party by using creative learning activities, crafts, or games. In addition to the Room Parent Best Practices Guide, here are some additional resources for you to use:

Classroom Party Planning

http://kidsparties.about.com/od/celebratingholidays/a/ValentinesClassroomParty.htm?p=1

http://entertaining.about.com/od/kidsparties/a/classparties.htm

Crafts

http://familycrafts.about.com/od/valentinesdayprintables/Valentines_Day_Printables.htm

http://childparenting.about.com/od/funcelebrations/tp/valentinecrafts.htm

http://kidsparties.about.com/od/diyideas/ig/Spinner--/

Games

http://childparenting.about.com/od/funcelebrations/tp/Valentinepartygames.htm

http://entertaining.about.com/od/valentinesday/a/vdaygames.htm

Party for a Cause

http://kidsparties.about.com/od/celebratingholidays/a/ValentineCharityParty.htm

Puzzles

http://puzzles.about.com/od/holidaypuzzlesforkids/a/ValentineKids_5.htm

Recipes

http://parentingteens.about.com/od/recipesforkids/a/valentinesday.htm

http://kidscooking.about.com/od/valentinesdayrecipes/p/valentinerecipe.htm

http://childparenting.about.com/od/valentineparties/a/valrecipe.htm

Teens (and pre-teens)

http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/holidaycrafts/a/val_party.htm

Holiday Party Planning

The Holiday Party is on Thursday, December 20th at 1:00. Let's plan early by discussing the party letters, gift exchange ideas (if applicable), and menu with the homeroom teachers. Our party 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 the Tuesday, December 4^th. This will give us two weeks for donation collection and follow-up calls. Party letters can be downloaded and revised from NFES' website under "Room Parent Information"  http://216.77.96.35/schoolhp/nfes/pto.htm.

Teacher Preferences: 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 their students so that parents do not have to purchase gifts.
• Some teachers allow the children to bring a book or 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

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

Character Day Party

The first classroom party is Wednesday, October 31st, 1:00-2:00. Parents may arrive to the classroom at 12:30 to help with setup. The school-wide parade is early in the day at 10:00. The focus of this party should be on “Book Characters” rather than Halloween. Avoid scary decorations (witches, bats, ghosts, haunted houses). Pumpkins, fall foliage, or orange décor is suitable. You are welcome to dress in a suitable costume (but not required).

 Letters to Parents

The updated Character Day Party letter and the School Year Party Sign-up letters were sent via email. Other party letters are located on the NFES website under the PTO section. Please contact your teacher this week to discuss the Fall Character day party activities, menu, and collection of goods (food, supplies). Plan to have your letters ready for dissemination to the students’ families by Tuesday, October 9th. Allowing almost three (3)weeks gives plenty of time for the families to plan and time for you to make follow-up calls.

 Contributions

Due to the economic downturn families are more likely to contribute non-monetary items (baked goods, candy, snacks, fruit, drinks, treat bags, and supplies). Should you decide to ask for cash donations please be prepared to cover your expenses in case the expected amount is not received. With rising cost of food and supplies you are encouraged to plan wisely. Room Parents are welcome to contribute to the class party, but remember to include all the families in the process.

Spanish Speaking Families:

Most, if not all, classrooms have Spanish speaking families. Please discuss the composition of your classroom with the assigned teacher to determine if letter translation is needed. Plan early to allow a few days for turnaround of the Spanish letters.

Room Parent Planning:

The updated Room Parent Best Practices Guide was sent via email for help in planning your first party. You will find additional resources under the Parent/PTO section of the NFES website

Have a great party!

2012 -2013 Room Parent Duties

Chairperson: Sheila Toppin northfayettevolunteers@gmail.com
Duties:

• Ensure that each class/teacher has a room parent(s).
• Maintain the Room Parent Blog.
• Provide assistance and resources to Room Parents.
• Follow-up with Room Parents in advance of all class parties.
• Provide ongoing feedback to the PTO President & Committee reports to the PTO.

Room Parent Committee Members: All Room Parent leads and Assistants.

Duties:

• Volunteer in classroom regularly.
• Organize classroom parties and other events with teacher:
• October 31st Character Day Party
• December 20th Holiday Party
• February 14th Valentine’s Day Party
• May 24th End of Year Party
• Coordinate volunteers and supplies for classroom parties and events.
• Communicate classroom volunteer needs or concerns to PTO Volunteer Committee Chairperson
• Log into the Room Parent Blog regularly for updates, volunteer needs, and documents: http://nfes-roomparents.blogspot.com/

Room Parents Needed

Dear North Fayette Elementary School Parents and Guardians,

Do you want to make a difference in your child’s classroom…Be a Room Parent!!! The commitment is minimal – the rewards are great!

What are the responsibilities of a Room Parent?

Ø Act as a liaison between your child’s teacher, classroom families, and the PTO Room Parent Committee.

Ø Communicate information to families in your classroom regarding classroom activities.

Ø Help ensure all our children benefit from and enjoy the classroom activities planned for the year.

Ø Develop camaraderie with teachers, other parents and members of the Room Parent Committee.

Contact your student’s teacher for more information. Also, send an email message to northfayettevolunteers@gmail.com to let me know which teacher/grade level you will be working with. 

Thank you  in  advance for your willingness to volunteer!

Sheila Toppin, PTO Volunteer Committee Chairperson

Thank you!

Throughout this year we have accomplished our mission by supporting to the teachers and investing our time and resources in each child’s educational journey. Thank you for every act of volunteerism (seen and unseen). You truly have been a faithful hug of support to the teachers and students at NFES. Have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you next year!  

“The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.”
(Author unknown)