What does the Room Parent Do?

[Anonymous]

My dd is in K and I receive a note saying that the still have the Room parents position available. What do they exactly do. I work full time but sure can help from time to time, i just wanted to make sure that's not a job that requires you to be there at the same days at the same time.

[Anonymous]

Basically you are the contact/coordinator for all the other parents. Duties I have had: sending reminder emails about upcoming events, organizing class parties (we do Halloween, December Holiday, and Valentine's Day) and discussing with the teacher what she does and does not want to happen with the parties, helping to find the in-class volunteers the teacher may need (mine wants help photocopying and such for 1 hour a week--I'll find a couple of volunteers to help her), and helping to find chaperones for field trips.

I work full-time too, and you don't need to be in the class at all to be an effective room parent. Though, I do try to attend most parties.

[Anonymous]

You help coordinate parent volunteers for whatever the teacher feels parents are needed for, lead planner on parties and organize the teacher holiday and end of year gifts. I have found this website helpful for sample letters and party ideas. I use VolunteerSpot.com to coordinate parent volunteer and party scheduling since it sends reminder emails you will not have worry about that. It cut downs on emails which is important as a working mom.

[Anonymous]

http://www.roommomspot.com/room-parent-duties/ spells out what a room parent does.