Valentine's Day Party

Valentine’s Day is less than three weeks away. The classroom parties will be held on Monday, February 14^th from 1:15 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 2^nd 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

Happy New Year

Wow…I cannot believe we are at the midpoint of this school year. We have had a great year so far and I am sure the best is yet to come.

As you are aware Room Parents set the standard for involvement in each classroom. This is a great time of the year for Teachers and Room Parents to promote parental involvement. In collaboration with your homeroom Teacher send a note or email message encouraging other parents to get involved. Teachers may have specific needs such as classroom supplies or need help with projects. In addition, NFES has many events on the horizon for students and parents including the following:

• Saturday Academy
• Parent Workshops (Math Games K-5, Test Taking Strategies and CRCT Preparation, Reading Comprehension, and Technology at Home)
• Valentine’s Day Party
• PTO Meetings
• Field Trips
• Book Fair
• Career Day
• Field Day
• 5^th Grade Commemoration Celebration
• End of Year Party

Here is the link to NFES’s calendar: http://216.77.96.35/schoolhp/nfes/calendar.htm

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...