Room Reps

Please consider supporting the Bennett Elementary Community by volunteering to be a room representative!

As a Room Representative, your goal is to create an inclusive and welcoming school climate at Bennett Elementary by strengthening family-to-family partnerships within your classroom.

You and your teacher will coordinate efforts to extend opportunities to each family to engage in their child’s education in meaningful ways!

An orientation for all Room Reps is given at the beginning of the school year and will take place virtually.

Questions? Contact PTSA Room Parent Coordinator

ROLE

PTA Room Parents act as a liaison between the PTA and the parents in the classroom to communicate information about events, activities and volunteers needed. They will be the people “in the know” about PTA-related issues. The room parent can also act as a liaison between the teacher and the parents or do various tasks to aid the teacher at the teacher’s request. This is dependent upon how the teacher and the room parent work out the volunteer relationship and is not required but is often appreciated.

TIME COMMITMENT

Room Reps will be busier in the early fall as they connect with the classroom families and teacher. After that, they might spend about 10 minutes, 2 times a month, contacting families about school, PTA, and classroom activities and/or volunteer needs.

EXPECTATIONS

Have district volunteer clearance (valid for 3 years). If you already have a volunteer badge in the school's main office, you are ready to go.

Attend Room Rep Orientation provided by Room Rep Coordinator

Stay informed about the PTSA mission, issues, events, and volunteer needs. We encourage room reps to attend PTA meetings to keep parents up to date and involved.

ROOM REP COORDINATOR

A Room Parent Coordinator will help recruit Room Reps for every classroom in September. Provide a Room Rep Orientation to communicate ideas, best practices, and responsibilities. Finally, they will help facilitate and ensure PTA communications to and from Room Reps are timely and consistent.

ROLE of a Room REP

Teacher Support and Assistance: Discuss expectations and needs with your teacher. These vary from teacher to teacher and from grade to grade. Teachers may need extra volunteers in the classroom, chaperones for field trips, additional classroom supplies, or help in other situations. At these times, Room Parents can assist by organizing and recruit volunteers.

PTA Programs and Events: Additional volunteers may occasionally be needed for PTA events. In these situations, the PTA Committee Chair can contact the Room Parents for assistance.

Classroom Celebrations and Events: Every teacher has their own approach regarding classroom celebrations. Room Parents coordinate with their teacher on the classroom needs and policy for celebrations. Room parents recruit other parents to organize these celebrations (Halloween, Valentine's Day, End-of-the-Year).

Class Fund: Collect and manage money to be used throughout the year. Example: Teacher's Birthday, Holiday gift, End of Year Celebration, Halloween, Valentine's Day. A $10-20 donation is the suggested amount and this is completely optional.

Communication Liaison: Create a group email list that allows you to quickly disseminate information and announcements from the PTA to all class families.

Be an Advocate: Advocate to your class for PTA membership and the PTA mission and programs such as the Walkathon, Family Engagement events, PTSA Meetings, Staff Appreciation Events, to name a few. Help spread the word and the excitement for these programs!

Room Parent Resources

Room Rep Handbook (coming soon)