parent helpers

7/29/2019 Parent Helpers

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Please allow us to thank you ahead of time for your time and support. Wereally couldnt do it without you! In the past we have had volunteers who would loveto come in at 11:17 and stay until 2:48. Through the day we can have from three (twoteachers and sometimes a high school aide) to five or six adults (with volunteers) inand out of our classroom. Please know that we are so very grateful for yourassistance, but the best way you can help us and your child is to come in for yourvolunteer time, let us all give you a big thank you, give your child a big hug . . . andthen treat yourself to a Starbucks for a job well done! This is the year to startletting your child become an independent worker. How exciting is that? Thank you for

your understanding and support!

This parent will be responsible for copying homework papers andstapling the packets together. This job needs to be done on aThursday. This is a once a week job which two parents canalternate weeks.

This parent is responsible for putting all handouts and homework into the Friday

folders. This just must be completed each Friday afternoon by 2pm.

Center time is a critical time when parents are greatly needed. During this time wewill need two parents each day, Monday-Thursday. Center time will usually last thirtyto thirty-five minutes each day. After this you are free to go. We really appreciate

your help! Our center time will be from 12:15-12:50.

Our computer time is Thursdays from 1:20-1:50. It really helps tohave an extra adult in the lab to help troubleshoot and helpchildren stay on task.

A room parents job is to plan parties/activities and organize parent volunteers. Twoor more parents can share this responsibility.


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This parent will be responsible for making playdough once a month. This isa job that is done at home. Let me know if you need a recipe.Friday Art/ Game Parent

is a parent docent led presentation. It features six different artists and sixdifferent composers. The lessons include biographical information, representation ofpieces of art/music and hands-on creation of student art. There is minimalpreparation for the lessons and materials are provided through the PTA. There arefour to six presentations a year. Two parents can share this job.

Our Library time is Fridays from 11:30-12:00. It is very helpful to have another

adult in the library to help children choose books and help them look through themquietly.

Kindergarteners love to hear stories. This is a fun job for parents who want todirectly interact with the class as a whole. Coming in once a week, likely on Fridaysfor twenty minutes would be wonderful!

This parent will separate the book orders forms and attach an order deadline andhave them ready to send home in the Friday folder. Once the books are deliveredthis parent will separate and label the orders when they come in for us to pass out.

This parent will come in weekly and clean Root Beer Floats cage. (Its nottoo gross!) Well likely coordinate with Mrs. Witts volunteer so perhapsthis could be less than once a week.

Amber RossThis parent makes a monthly schedule for classroom volunteers and emails it to themand the teacher. Any changes that need to be made go through this parent.


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We have produced this booklet as a basic guide for those parents and helpers whoare able to volunteer and help the children in room 3. We value your contribution tothe childrens learning and appreciate your help. We hope you find your time with usis rewarding, enjoyable and informational!

For a variety of health and safety issues, it is very important that we know exactlywho is on the school premises and where they are. We therefore ask that every adultwho comes into the school does so via the . You will be asked to sign inand will be given a badge with your name on it to wear while you are visiting. Anothervery important health item that must be completed prior to working in our classroom

is a TB test. Once you have proof of your TB clearance and have filled outthe volunteer form from the office, please turn it into the office where they will bereviewed and cleared.

The following points are helpful whenever you are supervising the children.1. Always treat children with respect and in the same sort of way that you would

expect them to treat you.2. Be friendly towards them.3. Avoid talking in a loud voice. If you speak normally or in a soft voice they will

have to be quiet in order to hear what you are saying. This also helps otherchildren around the room complete tasks without much distraction. It is hardfor a child to concentrate when there is too much noise. It is a challenge with32 students, but with your help we can manage a calm, quiet, learningenvironment. Thank You!

4. Tell them exactly what to do in as much detail as possible.5. Dont be afraid to quietly and calmly correct a child that is misbehaving.

Please feel free to use our behavior system if a child is not listening to you.Please speak with the teacher if you are unsure of what to do.

6. Praise the children whenever possible.7.Encourage them to be polite to one another.8. If you are concerned about a child for any reason, have a word with the

teacher. PLEASE do not speak directly to the childs parents.9.Encourage the children to pick up after themselves. Please have them clean

their spot at the table before leaving.


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We love to have our classroom be a relaxing place to learn and teach. We lovemodeling and teaching conversation skills to our little ones. Please be mindful of whenthe class needs to be quiet or students need to be attended to, and adjust adultconversations accordingly. If you have to take a call, please take it outside both

for the learning environment and for your privacy.

Occasionally as a classroom volunteer you will become aware of information aboutchildren that is confidential or private to the child or their family. This is a delicatematter that requires a great deal of tact on your part. Any information that leads

you to believe a child is at risk should be mentioned to the teacher. Anyconversation with parents outside of the classroom is a breach of the schoolsconfidence. Even a comment such as, Your Jimmy reads well, could be misconstrued,

as others will wonder why you have not said that to them. It is very important totreat anything you hear or see in school with regard to particular children as beingin the absolute confidence and entirely a matter with the school. Thank you!

Each table should have a plastic caddy. They are filled with pencils, glue and scissors.Feel free to place the materials in the center of the table for children to use.Please make sure at the end of the center time or an activity that the caddiesmake it back to their home. Encourage students to put the baskets in theappropriate place. If there is free time while you are here please feel free toorganize the baskets, such as sharpening pencils, checking glue sticks, etc. There willalso be caddies of crayons and pencils when needed.

One task you may be involved in is reading with the children. This is an importantbut consuming task, especially with a group. Here are some suggestions on how toapproach the children with different reading levels.

1. Children should be aware that you read from left to right, turning thepages that way and reading the lines left to right and top to bottom.

2. To start read the book together.3. Discuss the pictures and the story.4. Read the book again pointing to each word as you read.


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1. Ask the child to point to each word as he/she reads it.2. Discuss the pictures and the story.3. Read the story together.4. Ask the child to find key words which are repeated several times in the

book i.e. the, up, in, etc.5. The children should be aware of full stops (periods) and that you need to

pause at a full stop and not to run sentences together.

As the children can read more words, try to get them to work out new words bymaking a good logical guess. Maybe the picture will help. If the child has goodknowledge of initial sounds, looking at the first letter or small words within words,sound out the whole word i.e. ing in king.

Try to get the child to read to the end of the sentence and then go back to workout an unknown word.

Even with competent readers you should discuss the stories and pictures. Also youcan try to encourage the children to use expression or put on suitable voices.

The following are examples of the types of questions to use when discussing a story.1. What was the story about?2. Who was the main character?3. What were they doing?4. What should he/she have done?5. What part did you like best?6. What would have happened if . . . ?

Thank you for taking the time to be with us in the classroom. Your help and supportare invaluable. In case we ever forget to say thank you please be assured that wereally do appreciate your help!

Blessings,Miss Jennifer [email protected] ext. 103


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