mt. horeb school
TRANSCRIPT
MT.HOREBSCHOOL
CLASSPARENTHANDBOOK2018–2019
ShiningBrighterEveryDay
Mt.HorebElementarySchool
80Mt.HorebRoad
Warren,NJ07059
(908)753-5300
CLASSPARENTHANDBOOK
Introduction
GettingStarted
EstablishingaLinkwithYourClassCommunity
ClassParentResponsibilities
• Parties • FieldDay • TeacherAppreciationWeek• Photography • SocialMedia • GradeLevelEvents • BookFair • TeacherGifts• Expenses• PhoneChain
Attachments
• GenericWelcomeLetter AttachmentA• DistrictSnackPolicy AttachmentB• HomeroomParentChecklist AttachmentC
INTRODUCTIONThank you for volunteering as aMt. Horeb Class Parent. Your role as a Class Parent helpsensureaparentcommunity that is informed,engagedand involved inschool functions. ThisHandbookprovides informationonyourresponsibilitiesasaClassParentand includesschoolpoliciesandproceduresforyourreference.
IMPORTANTNOTE:
AsClassParent,youmaybecomeawareofpersonalinformationrelatingtoachild/familyintheclass.Thisinformationisconfidentialandmustbekeptconfidentialandotherwisehandledinaprofessionalmanner.Ifyouhavequestionsorneedadvice,pleasecontacttheExecutiveBoard.
ExecutiveBoard:StacySackett Phone: 993-650-3083Co-President Email: [email protected] Phone: 773-710-2388Co-President Email: [email protected] Phone: 973-641-0808VP,Communications Email: [email protected]
JillParry Phone: 610-348-0218VP,Programing Email: [email protected]
DebraFinkelstein Phone: 908-347-1275Secretary Email: [email protected] Phone: 781-608-1640Treasurer Email: [email protected]
GETTINGSTARTEDTherewillbeameetingat thestartof the schoolyearwhereyouwillmeetwithotherClassParents,beprovidedwithyourclasslistandlearnmoreaboutyourresponsibilities.Tosimplifycommunications,aLeadClassParenthasbeenassignedforeachclass.TheLeadistheprimarycontact for the teacher and is generally responsible for coordinating class events andvolunteers.Prior to Back To SchoolNight, the PTOwill coordinate aHR Parent Luncheonwhen youwillhavetheopportunitytomeetwithyourteacherandoutlineyourplansfortheyear.
ESTABLISHINGALINKWITHYOURCLASSCOMMUNITYIt is important theparents inyourclassare familiarwithyouandyour role in theclass. Werecommendyousenda“welcomeletter”priortoBack-to-SchoolNight(seeAttachmentA).Inthis letter,youcanintroducebothClassParents,remindparentsofBacktoSchoolNight,andprovideyourcontactinformationandotherrelevantdetails.At Back-To-School Night, please introduce yourself and briefly explain your responsibilities(suchascoordinatingpartiesandgradespecificevents).Also,besuretohavetheClassPartysign-upsheetsavailablesoparentscanvolunteer tosupplypartygoodsandassistataparty.(See Attachment B and your welcome packet). It is suggested you also provide a formrequesting contact information for the parents in your class (emails and cell phones), in theeventtheinformationprovidedfromtheBoardofEducationisincomplete.
CLASSPARENTRESPONSIBILITIESPARTIESAllgradestypicallyhavethe followingparties:Halloween,DecemberHoliday,Valentine’sDayandEnd-of-Yearcelebration. Someclassesmayhaveadditionalcelebrationsandyoushouldcheckwithyourteacher.AstheClassParent,youareexpectedtoattendeachpartytoserverefreshments,organize thecraft /game,andassistwithotherpartyactivities. If youwillbeunable toattendanypartyorevent you should finda substitute, ifnecessary. Pleasemakeeveryattempttofindasubstitute,evenifitisthevolunteerwhoisnolongerabletoattendtheparty.Wedonotwantanymissedopportunitiesforparentstocomeintotheclassroomandspendtimewiththeirchildrenvolunteering.Attherequestoftheteacher,youmaybeaskedtoselectacraftand/orgamesfortheparties.Please try tomaintain contact between all grade level Homeroom Parents as you plan eachparty to ensure that there is consistency among the classes (for items such as crafts andgames). Whendecidingoncrafts,besensitivetoreligiousdiversityaswellastheskill level/attentionspanofyourparticulargrade.
AtBack to SchoolNight, youwill recruit parents to donate snacks andother party items foreachclassroomevent. Youwillalsoinviteparentstovolunteertoassistatapartyduringtheyear(oneadditionalparentateachparty).YourClassParentfolderhasformsforyoutouseforthispurpose.AttachedistheBOEapprovedlistofsnacks–whicharetheONLYsnackstobebroughtinforclassroom celebrations (see Attachment B). Items not included on this list will are notpermittedintheclassroom.Youwillbenotifiedifthereisafoodallergyinyourclass.Assomeallergies can be severe, you are to instruct parents making snack donations to avoid anyingredientsidentifiedasharmful.FIELDDAYTheFieldDayCommitteeisresponsiblefororganizingtheactivitiesforFieldDay.Iftherearenotenoughvolunteerstostafftheday,theClassParentswillberequiredtoassist.Pleasenote,forsafetyissues,younger(pre-school)siblingsarenotallowedtoaccompanyyouatfieldday.TEACHERAPPRECIATIONWEEKTheTeacherAppreciationCommitteeorganizestheeventsforthisweek. TheCommitteewillnotify you in advance of your responsibilities. For example, you may be asked to collectdonationsforgiftbaskets,coordinateclassprojectsfortheteacher,orhandleotheractivitiestosupport the Committee, such as overseeing decorations for your homeroom (e.g. decoratingyourteachersdoor).PHOTOGRPAHS
Asyouwillbeattendingclassparties,youmayopttotakephotographsforyourpersonaluseorfortheYearbook(anyYearbookphotosshouldbeforwardedtotheYearbookCommittee).Youmaynotpostonlineanypicturestaken intheclassroomunlessthepicture isofyourchildoryouhavespecificpermissionfromtheparent(s)ofotherchild(ren)inthephotograph.SOCIALMEDIAYouaretorefrainfrompostingpicturesonanysocialmediawebsiteswhileatschoolfunctions,orcommentingonanystudents,stafforvolunteersviasocialmedia.Pleaserespecteveryone’sprivacy.
GRADELEVELEVENTSomegradelevelshavea“specialevent”(e.g..“SailintoSecondGrade”)andyourteacherwillprovideyouwithinformationandanyspecificrequests. ThegradeleveleventsaresimilartoclasspartiesandyourresponsibilitiesasClassParentarethesame.
BOOKFAIRClassParentsmaybeaskedtoattendtheBookFairtoassistchildrenwithbookselectionandpurchases.TEACHERGIFTSClassparentsareresponsibleforcollectingclasscontributionsforholiday(December)andyear-end gifts for teachers and “specials” (such as gym,music, computers, etc.). Youwill receiveguidelines and instructions from the ExecutiveBoard at the appropriate time. Participationfrom parents in gifting is voluntary. Please do not name contributing families on the cardaccompanying the gift; instead, you can sign the card “from your students” (or somethingsimilar).EXPENSESThePTOallocatesmoneyonaperchild,pergradelevelbasis,whichisstrictlylimitedtouseforpurchasing party crafts and games. The lead Class Parent will be given money to be usedspecificallyforthispurposeatthebeginningoftheschoolyear.Allotherpartyitemsshouldbeprovidedanddonatedbytheparentswhosignuptobringintheitemsforthatparticularparty.PHONECHAINTheBoardofEducationusesanautomatedreverse911systemforemergencycommunicationregardingschoolclosingsetc. Intherare instancethissystemdoesnotwork,theEmergencyPhoneChain(includedwithyourpacket)willbeused.
GeneralInformation:- If youaregoingonvacationorwill beotherwiseunavailable for thephonechain,
pleasecoordinatecoveragewithyourfellowClassParentandnotifytheGradeLevelRepresentative.
- Notify theGradeLevelRepresentative if your contact informationchanges so thatwemayupdatethephonechain.
- Besuretokeepacopyofyourclasslisthandyandinasafeplaceforeasyaccess.
Ifthephonechainisactivated:- TheprincipalwillcontactthePTOPresidents- ThePTOPresidentswill thencontacteachGradeLevelRepresentative. TheGrade
LevelRepresentativewillcalltheLeadClassParents.- The LeadClassParent is to call all otherparents in the classwith the information
received.- Ifthereisnoanswer,oryouleaveavoicemailandyourcallisnotreturned,youare
tocalltheMainOffice.
ATTACHMENTA
DateDearParents:Welcometoanexcitingnewyear!WearehappytobeservingastheClassParentsfor(Teacher’sName,GradeLevel).Back-To-SchoolNightisscheduledfor(Weeknight,Date,andTime)andwearelookingforwardtomeetingyou.AsClassParents,wewillbeassisting(Teacher’sName)withorganizingclassparties.OnBack-To-SchoolNight,therewillbesign-upsheetsforeachpartyintheclassroom.Pleasehelpwhereyoucanbydonating;snacks,papergoods,games,etc.Youwillreceiveareminderphonecallore-mailfromoneofusaweekpriortothepartytoremindyouofyourresponsibility.YourClassParentswillalsoorganizepartycraftsandgameswith(Teacher’sName).Similartolastyear,therewillalsobesign-upsheetsforparentswhowanttovolunteerataparty–pleaseconsidervolunteering,itisagreatwaytoseeyouchildinclass!Duringthecourseoftheyear,youmaybecalledupontohelpwithvariousactivitiessuchasStaffAppreciationWeek,FieldDayorBookFair.Wemayalsocontactyouinthenextweekorsotomakesureemergencycontactinformationiscomplete.Inaddition,itwouldbehelpfulifyoucouldinformusofyoure-mailaddress,ase-mailisaconvenientmechanismforinformingyouofquickupdatestoschoolactivities.InNovemberwewillbecollectingforteachergiftsfortheholidayandendoftheyeargiftsfor(Teacher’sName).Wewillalsobecollectingforourspecialsteachers(Art,Library,PE,etc).Asyourhomeroomparents,wewillpresenttheholidaygiftandyearendgiftto(Teacher’sName)onbehalfoftheclass;thePTOwillcollectanddistributeforthespecialsteachers.Pleasenote,participationinclassgiftsiscompletelyoptionalassomeparentsprefertogiveaspecific,individualgift.Wewouldliketothankyouinadvanceforallyourhelp.Pleasefeelfreetocallusifyouhaveanyquestionsorideasregardingthisyear’sevents.WearelookingforwardtoseeingyouatBack-To-SchoolNight.BestRegards,HomeParentNamesHomeroomParentcontactdetails:
ATTACHMENTB
ApprovedFoodsforSchoolWide/ClassroomCelebrationsandPartiesEffectiveSeptember2012
Homemadeitemsmadefromscratch(alongwithingredientlists,NOSPRINKLES)arewelcomedaslongastheyarelimitedtocookies,brownies,cupcakes,muffinsorricekrispietreats.Pleaseavoidnutingredientsinbaking.Ifusingaboxedbakingproduct,pleaseuseonlythebrandslistedbelow.CakeMix,BrownieMix,MuffinMixandFrosting
• BettyCrocker• Pillsbury• GloriouslyGluten(glutenfree)267MainAve.,Stirling908-647-7337• ShopRiteBrandcupcakes
NoDonutswillbeallowedexceptforEntenmanns.–NoDunkinDonuts
• Entenmanns-LittleBitesandsmalldonuts:glazed,chocolate,powderedCookies:
• ChipsAhoy-ChocolateChip• Oreos(regular,golden,orminis)• Hersheychocolatechips(NOTTollhouse)• BarnumAnimalCrackers
Fruits/vegetables
• FreshFruit• FreshVegetables:babycarrots,celery,grapetomatoes,cucumber,etc.
OtherSnacksPuddingSnacks(Jello-Obrand) Kellogg’sbrandRiceKrispieTreats(original)IcePops Pretzels(mostbrands,butNOTSnyders)PhillySwirls(gluten,nut,dairyfree) GoldfishcrackersParentsofstudentswithfoodallergiesorfoodintolerancesmaybringinaseparatesupplyofsnacksfortheirchildasneededforclassroomcelebrations.***Pleasecontinuetocheckingredientsonalllabelsastheyaresubjecttochange.Includeallingredientlistswithfoodwhetherstoreboughtorhomemade.FoodshouldbebroughttoMainOfficeby10a.m.*****
NewNutritionPolicy(effective2013)
• Eachclassispermitted5classroom/schoolwidepartiessuchasHalloween,HolidayParty,Valentine’sDay,EndoftheYear,etc.
• Foodisnotpermittedatbirthdaycelebrations.
DuringEACHPartyCelebrationONLYthefollowingitemsareallowed:
1. Todrink:ONLYWATER2. ONESWEETTREAToffthedistrictapprovedlist(i.e.cupcakes,brownies,RiceKrispy
treats,cookies)
3. ONESAVORYTREAT(pretzel,goldfishorpopcorn-approvedbrands)
4. ONEFRUITorvegetableplatter….kebabs,fruitsalad,anyfruit
AttachmentC-HomeroomParent“MonthbyMonthataGlance”
September:
ü AttendHomeroomParentMeetinginSeptember,Luncheontofollowü PrepareandsendwelcomeLettertoparents–refertoAttachmentBü IntroduceyourselfatBacktoSchoolnightandexplainresponsibilitiesü BringclasspartysignupsheetstoBacktoSchoolnight–refertofolder
October:
ü HalloweenParty–obtainvolunteerstocompletesnacklistandpartyitemsü Consultwithotherhomeroomparentstomaintainconsistencyatclassparties
November:
ü TeacherGiftCollectionü AttendBookFair
December:
ü HolidayPartyü PurchaseanddistributeHomeroomTeacherGifts
February/March/April:
ü Valentine’sDayPartyü SpringParty(notallgrades)
May:
ü StateTesting–organizehealthysnacksforstudentsü StaffAppreciationWeek
June:
ü FieldDayü EndofYearPartyü KindergartenGraduation(KindergartenHomeroomParentsOnly)ü PurchaseandDistributeHomeroomParentGifts