Each year the teachers need class parents, the number of class parents depends on the grade level and the teacher but all classes need at least one. The administration requests that in the event of an emergency closing when students are in school, the PTA class parents must be able to reach parents to alert them to pick up their child.
Class parents are the coordinators of support for your child’s class. They help organize support for teachers and class room activities as needed and facilitate a sense of community among the children’s families. They strengthen communication between the school and the families. Being a class parent can feel like a lot of responsibility, so be sure to delegate to other parents. When we work together we communicate better and build a stronger PTA.
Here are the main responsibilities of a class parent:
1) Introduce yourself to the other parents: Send a letter in your child’s folder and provide your contact information. Be sure to let parents know who you are if you meet them at drop-off, pick-up or anywhere in between. This is for the younger elementary grades.
2) Find out what the teacher wants help with: Teachers vary in what they will want you to do. Does the teacher want parents to volunteer in the class on a regular basis? Do they need help with clerical tasks? Do they want you
to organize parents for trips?
3) Be a form of communicating PTA news and events. Remind parents of events and activities that are coming up. This is a great way to increase parent participation in these events.
4) Coordinate events: Class parents will organize parents for class parties (such as the Holidays and end of the year). They will coordinate with the teachers about what needs to be delegated – food, activities, etc. Please ask about allegories in the class. We also like all events in the grade level to be the same basically.
5) Collect donations: Be sure to give yourself time to do this. This involves the Thanksgiving basket items, and tricky tray class basket items or money.
6) Emergency School Closing Phone Call Chain: You will be provided with a list of emergency phone numbers which are to be kept private to call in the event of a school closing during school hours. This year we will be providing you with the list rather they you needing to collect them.
EARLY DISMISSAL If an early dismissal is necessary due to inclement weather, the decision is made by the Superintendent of Schools before 11:00 AM. Parents/Guardians should be prepared to make arrangements to pick up their child/children PROMPTLY at 1:16 PM. NO LUNCH IS SERVED WHEN AN EARLY DISMISSAL IS NECESSARY.
The PTA is contacted by the School Secretaries. The PTA starts phone chain calls to parents/guardians. Class Parents can contact either Karen or Linda with any problems.
Linda Marcus: PreK to 4th grade
robinsarah@optonline.net
Home 973-616-7417
cell: 201-803-4691
Karen Branciforte: 5th - 8th grade
rotorooternj@cs.com
Home: 973-616-7255
cell: 973-493-4739
Just because you are the class parent, doesn’t mean you need to do everything.
As you get to know other parents, you can ask them to help out
with an aspect of a party, call some parents about an event, etc.
It is good for the whole class to have as many parents involved as possible. Parents who are available during the day can go on trips.
Parents who are available in the evenings may be able to make phone calls.
