Coordinate Volunteers Online

Interested in using technology to sign up volunteers? 

Here are few resources.

Keep in mind that not all families are connected to the internet.

signupgenius.com

cmomgo.com

volunteerspot.com

qlubb.com

Curious

This looks fantastic.
Has anyone used this product before?
Would you recommend it? 

I think that this calls for a trip to the bookstore to check it out. 

(Andrews McMeel Publishing)

 

   

( http://www.amazon.com)

Samples

I have been asked to include a few sample letters. Hope these help.

Create a letter like this, and give it to the teacher to send out. 
Sample Room Mom Introduction Letter

A month before the party, I send out a letter like this.
Sample Party Flyer: Request for Volunteers

At least two weeks prior to the party, I send out this.
Sample Confirmation of Volunteers

Then, two or three days before the party, I send out email reminders.

So, You're the New Room Mom. Now What?

You went to "Welcome Back to School" night, and 

signed up to be the Room Parent.
Now what?

If this is your first time, here are a few things will want to do.

1. Find out what your duties will be.
Will it be only planning parties? Will you act as a liaison between PTO and classroom parents?Are you in charge of  Teacher Appreciation Events? Are you required to attend field trips?

2.  Get a class list from the teacher.

3. Ask about any allergies that are present in the classroom.  You do not need to know who, you just need to know what triggers the allergic reactions so that you can avoid these items. (Also, ask about bringing homemade goods vs. store bought goods and if volunteering parents are allowed to bring younger siblings to the parties.)

4. Ask the teacher for a list of classroom celebration that you will be in charge of planning.

5. Ask about how the celebrations are financed. (Sometimes it is parent donations, and sometimes the PTO will supply each classroom with a party budget).

6. Ask if there are any other duties that you may be responsible for (book orders, graduation, etc...)

7. Get permission to send out an introduction letter to the parents.

8.  Then, write the introduction letter, including your email address, encouraging the parents to email you with their interest in participating in the classroom's celebrations.

9.  Give the letter to the teacher so s/he can proof it, make copies and send it home with the kids.

10.  Now, check your email daily.

(HINT) 11. Coordinate the year ahead of time, I hope to use one cmomgo.com or volunteerspot.com to organize my volunteers. It works well if you can get most of the families to sign on. If not, using the old email and phone calls will do the trick.

Welcome Back!

It's that time of year again.  Around here, school has already started (gotta love that year 'round school schedule). If you are looking for a few back to school ideas...here are a few simple ideas.

Excited about the First Day

Give your teacher a bottle of water or a new water bottle with a label/card that reads "I just can't keep it "bottled up"....I'm so excited to begin Second Grade!

Go Old School....

Bring a big, red, juicy apple for the teacher on the first day!
It's the thought that counts.

Oh No! It's the end of the year!

The end of the school year is so busy, but don't forget to take time to thank the teacher for a wonderful year! 

Here are some ideas that I have done in the past. 

*  Purchase a plant, decorate the pot and add a tag that reads, "Thanks for helping me grow!” 

*  Purchase a "decorate your own" coffee cup and put a Starbucks gift card in it.

*  A simple heartfelt letter of thanks is always welcome. Make your own on your home computer.

*  Create a Thank You stepping stone (here is a good site to DIY)  

*  Share the cost of purchasing a director's chair, and have the students sign their names on the cloth.

And in my own search, I came across these inspiring ideas 
(why recreate the wheel?) 

Check out these great ideas from familyfun.go.com

  (Photo from familyfun.go.com) 

 * Self Portrait Tees

* Art Memory Books

* Heartfelt Totes

* Forget*me*not pots

Handprint Plaque

I print out this poem on white paper.

Paint the child's hand with black tempera paint, and make a print on white construction paper.

On a colored sheet of paper, place the hand on one half and the poem on the other.

Laminate or place into a (dollar store) document frame.

Create wrapping paper.

Sometimes you get discouraged

Because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints

On furniture and walls

But every day I'm growing --

I'll be grown some day

And all those tiny hand-prints

Will surely fade away

So here's a little hand-print

Just so you can recall

Exactly how my fingers looked

When I was very small

Happy Mother’s Day 2010

Love, Student

Fun Spring Craft (to take home)

Make an Egg Head

Click Here

What a fun project that the kids can do in about 15 minutes.  (one egg per kid) Cut apart the egg carton so that each egg has one.  Have the eggs prepped (washed, emptied, break open the tops) and ready to go. Provide the kids with the cotton wool and seeds, and let them decorate how they please.

Quick and Easy...Show Appreciation

What you need to buy:
1- Snicker Bar
1- Pack of Lifesavers
1- Pack of Gummy Bears
1- Mint
1- Handful of Hershey Kisses


Put them all in a bag, and present them with a card that says:

Dear Teacher,
Don't SNICKER but I think that you are great!
You truly are a LIFESAVER.
You make me feel BEARY special.
Thanks a MINT for all you do!
Lots of KISSES,

Sign your name...

Make Leprechaun Pudding

For St. Patrick's day (or to celebrate Dr. Seuss' Birthday)

Make some green leprechaun pudding (or Oobleck to eat!)
Here's the link.

Easy Butterfly Life Cycle Craft

The Life Cycle of a Butterfly.

First it's an egg, then a caterpillar.

Then it becomes a chrysalis.

Now it is a butterfly.

To create, glue, staple or tape four circles to a thin strip of black paper (so it looks like the caterpillar). Then fold it one way to make the egg and pupa, and the other way to make the butterfly.

Steal My Heart Game

Play the Steal My Heart Game.

Give the kids a set of chopsticks, set the timer and see what happens!

For a trick on how to make chopsticks more kid friendly,

check out Lunchinabox.net

Photo from FamilyFun.com

A Lollipop Flower

Idea from: Family Fun

An easy craft idea for Valentine's Day.

Prep a pattern and let the kids trace and cut.

Provide a hole puncher and some "dum dum" lollipops.

Have fun!