DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is a requirement of the Diocese for all Parents & other Volunteers to have cleared fingerprints and background check prior to volunteering. A payment of $36.00 to Blessed
Room Parents are responsible for coordinating parties with the teachers, setting up, and cleaning up for each classroom party. (See Classroom Party Schedule for dates and times.) There are four parties throughout the school year: Harvest (Oct.), Christmas (Dec.), Valentine’s Day (Feb.) and End of Year (May).
Room Parents and Teachers work together. It is the responsibility of the Room Parents to liaise with the teacher, at least two weeks prior to the party date, to discuss the party. Upon the scheduled party date, the Room Parents and Teacher will assist each other in facilitating the party. The Teacher will remain with his/her class to maintain control and discipline of the students, at all times.
The Room Parents are responsible for contacting classroom parents, via telephone or letter, to request donations for the party. Please allow the parents ample time to send in the items requested or the monetary donations that are needed. If a cash donation is requested, the amount should not exceed $3.00 per student, per party, or a total donation of $12.00 for all four-classroom parties. You may choose to collect all the funds necessary and purchase all party snacks and favors yourself, or you may request some parents to bring in certain snacks or items. It is important to communicate with the parents in your class and to include them at the party. Many are eager to assist you. All are welcome. (Please remind parents that they must be sign in first and obtain a visitor’s pass and they must be fingerprinted prior to volunteering as require by the Diocese.)
When requesting a monetary donation, please ask the parents to send in their donation in an envelope marked “PARTY MONEY”, and indicate the child’s name. As the Teacher receives these donations, he/she can pass it on to the Room Parents, via your child.
Keep in mind; three of the parties are an hour long, which provides you with a fair amount of time to provide snacks, crafts, games, or other activities. One party is only one-half hour, so keep it simple. It is up to you and the teacher to decide what will make each party a success.
All classroom parties are to be held within their respective classrooms, unless informed otherwise, by Administration.
Preparation for the party should begin approximately 15 minutes prior to the start of each party. Please check first with your teacher for any special requests or for any changes in set-up times. Allow ample time for clean up, following the party, and prior to dismissal.
In the event the Room Parents cannot be present to set up and/or clean up, someone should be specifically designated to serve in this capacity. Again, please include other parents to assist you. Many are eager to help.
Room Parents in each specific grade level must work together to coordinate the parties to ensure that all parties remain consistent and to avoid competition between individual classrooms. THIS MEANS: Communicate with your fellow Room Parents within your grade level, so that classes within the same grade level receive similar parties. This does not mean that parties must be identical. By all means, be creative! Keep in mind, if ordering party favors and items from party catalogs, then bulk buying will reduce individual shipping fees.
When providing snacks, party favors, goody bags, etc., please keep school policy in mind. Positively, NO CHEWING GUM is allowed. This includes blow pops and other items containing any form of gum. As a suggestion, use SCRIP, (i.e.: $1.00 Burger King Certificates or $2.00 Baskin Robbins certificates), as a treat to the students.
Rules to follow for the Harvest Party (October): Any Halloween themed items are NOT allowed. Keep with a Harvest/Fall theme. No ghosts, goblins, black cats, or witches. Pumpkins & Jack-o-lanterns are acceptable, but no scary faces.
Valentine’s Day card exchange is allowed in all the younger grades, (K-5th). It is not allowed in the Middle School.