What is a Room Parent?

A Room Parent is a volunteer who acts as an official liaison between teachers, families, and the PES PTA. A Room Parent helps out in their child’s homeroom class to support the teacher throughout the year, depending on his/her needs. As a Room Parent, you may be asked to recruit classroom volunteers, help plan class events, assist teachers in prepping class materials, and/or do a bit of fundraising to purchase class supplies or teacher gifts. Classes may have up to two Room Parents to help share the work. Some teachers may want a lot of help (or very little) so we recommend asking your teachers or talking to fellow Room Parents and PTA Leadership to learn more about what’s expected of you.

 

 

Who can be a Room Parent?

All parents/guardians/family members interested in volunteering to be a Room Parent are encouraged to sign up via our Room Parent Volunteer Interest Form by Friday, September 13th, 2024, so long as they meet the following criteria:

 

1. They are a member of the PTA. Room Parents are asked to be Pfluger Elementary PTA members. If you have not done so already, please purchase a membership. The cost is $10.00 (if purchased by September 30th) for an adult membership and can be easily purchased online. Room Parents are asked to communicate PTA news with their classroom families. Staying informed of PTA news and events is essential. 

 

2. They are a registered Hays VIPS Volunteer.  This is a district requirement. Anyone who wishes to volunteer must complete a criminal history background check process. If you refuse or are unable to complete the process, you will not be allowed to participate in volunteer activities at Hays CISD. If you have not done so already, please register and/or re-verify your volunteer account.

 

After potential volunteers have been identified, our Room Parent Coordinators, along with the support of our executive board, will determine the selections for Room Parents. After matching Room Parents with classes, Room Parent Coordinators will present the proposed list of Room Parents to the Principal and team leads for each grade level for approval. Room Parent Coordinators will notify all newly selected Room Parents via email with a confirmation request and next steps.

 

 

What would my responsibilities be as a Room Parent?

 

Different teachers have different needs — and your responsibilities may vary from grade to grade. But all Room Parents share some things in common: a desire to pitch in, great organizational and communication skills, and the time, energy, and enthusiasm for helping out in a hands-on way. Here are some things you may be asked to do:

  • Help Teachers Communicate with Parents: This may include identifying bilingual parents who can potentially help translate class communications and/or making sure that families without access to email also get communications by text/hard copy regarding upcoming events.
  • Plan & Organize Class Events: In addition to schoolwide celebrations, individual classes host their own events. As a Room Parent, you will ask volunteers to donate time or supplies, send out reminders about upcoming events, meetings, field trips, and needs, and help set up certain displays (ie. storybook pumpkin patch, holiday hallways, etc.) throughout the year.
  • Recruit Other Volunteers: You don’t have to go it alone! Finding a co-Room Parent or delegating specific tasks to other class parents can make things easier. One parent can be in charge of organizing events, another in charge of class communication. Another parent in your class may have specific skills they’re willing to share. 
  • Meet/Communicate with Teachers & Other Room Parents on a Regular Basis: Regularly scheduled meetups and/or check-ins are a good way to keep everyone in the loop, and find out how you can best support your teachers throughout the year as their needs change. 
  • Solicit & collect supply donations: Classrooms always need donations of supplies: tissue boxes, hand sanitizer, pencils, glue sticks, snacks for field trips, and the like. Letting parents know when donations are needed will ensure your class has all supplies it needs to succeed.
  • Organize Appreciations & Gifts: We love our teachers and staff — and want them to feel appreciated. While our Pixie Dust Committee plans lots of appreciation events throughout the school year, Room Parents are responsible for soliciting donations to purchase gifts for teachers for special occasions (which may include holidays, birthdays, or Teacher Appreciation weeks). Keeping equity top of mind, all fundraising asks for the classroom should always embrace a “give what you can,” sliding-scale philosophy, so families can contribute meaningfully (whether through volunteering, baking something healthy to share, or the like), even if they can’t contribute financially. 
  • Attend PTA Meetings & Schoolwide Events: This is the best way to stay up-to-date on bigger picture issues that class parents may ask you about — and help the school as a whole!

IMPORTANT NOTE: As a Room Parent, you do NOT have to do it all! Know that many classes will have two Room Parents. And there are so many resources available to help you (i.e. our PTA board, our online Room Parent community board *coming soon*, and more) Other parents in the class are also eager to help!