September 2, 2008
Dear Parent,
We are so glad you
have volunteered to help your child’s class and teacher this
year. Class Parents act as liaisons between the teachers and
parents, and are instrumental in supporting the teachers with
class events. Class parents also create and distribute the
class list directory and collect contributions for holiday and
end of the year gifts for the teachers.
Many class parents
have wondered how parents have done things in the past, so this
year the
PA has collected sample letters and forms
that you may find useful as you take on your new or continuing
role.
If you have any
questions please feel free to talk to any of your
representatives on the PA Board. The monthly PA meetings
are also an opportunity to exchange information and talk about
ways in which you can support your class.
We have a great
school because of your willingness to get involved.
Thank you for
volunteering,
- Lisa Brody
-
Corresponding Secretary
P.S. 144 Class Parent
Guidelines
Class List:
This is one of the most important
responsibilities of the class parents. Prepare or find another
parent to prepare the Class Directory
(Click here to download a request for class list sample
provided). Let the parents know that their inclusion in
a class list is VOLUNTARY.
Adjust the sample form for
your child’s class, and give copies to your child’s teacher
for distribution in the children’s backpacks. The teacher will
then give you the completed forms.
After you gather the information
and input it, ask your child’s teacher to look it over and
double-check the spelling of the children’s names. Ask the
teacher for the first names of any children whose parents did
not return a form. Make edits as necessary and provide your
teacher with final copies for distribution in the children’s
backpacks. Please make sure that you also ask the parent whether
or not the Parents' Association can use the information.
The complete list should be
distributed as some as possible. Ideally the list should be
created at an Excel Spreadsheet or
Word document. Please forward a copy of the list
to Lisa Brody @
kitzelkat@mac.com
Class Liaison:
Class Parents (there can be more than one per class)
act as liaisons between the Parents’ Association and the parents
in your individual classes. Your participation in PA Meetings is
suggested so that you can update people when they can’t attend a
meeting or have unanswered questions.
Steps to take when parents have
concerns about their child:
If a parent has a concern that is
related to their individual child, the parent should be
instructed to contact the teacher. If the concern is not
resolved, the parent should contact the Parent Coordinator for
direction. If the issue is still not resolved, the Assistant
Principal and Principal should be contacted accordingly.
General class concerns:
If many parents in your child’s
class are experiencing the same difficulty or have an overall
concern, then we ask that you inform the PA in writing so that
we can help advocate for you. In an effort to express your
class’s problem accurately, please email or submit written
summaries to the PA Executive Board. If you choose to write to
the School Administration directly, please cc the PA or we
cannot help you. All parents are welcome to join in the monthly
PA Executive Board Meeting if they would like to discuss an
issue.
Teacher Gifts:
In December 2005, the
Chancellor, Joel Klein, retracted a statement previously
given in which he wanted to limit the amount that could be given
to a teacher. He later stated that the limit is unnecessary, and
that parents should use “common sense” when buying gifts.
Chancellor Klein revised the conflicts of interest section of
the Chancellor’s Regulations to reflect the change, but no
letter was sent out to parents.
If you choose to coordinate the giving of a class gift, you need
to tell parents that all gifts are VOLUNTARY, and that it
is their option to participate or not participate. No dollar
amount is to be required of any individual. You are welcome to
suggest an amount, but must be clear that any donation would be
welcome. Regardless of who contributes the gift should be from
the entire class. Please be understanding of those individuals
who may not be able to give for various reasons.
Gifts to Support your Child’s
Classroom:
The same rules apply as for
Teacher’s Gifts. You can discuss a particular gift for the class
with your teacher, but the class parent needs to be responsible
for holding class funds and purchasing gifts. A teacher cannot
hold a class fund. It is prohibited. Again, all contributions
are VOLUNTARY. Please make this clear to all parents.
Recruiting Volunteers:
The Parents’ Association needs
many volunteers throughout the year. We need the Class
Parents to recruit volunteers, and let them know how
important it is to participate in the various school events. The
Class Parents help to identify the parents in each child’s class
who would be willing to help, but aren’t always sure how to get
involved. The more parents we have on
committees, the better our events will be. We need
the Class Parents to serve as an extension of our organization,
to reach out to parents and welcome them into the PA Community,
and to serve as a voice for the Parents’ Association.
