Class Parent Guidelines 2016

SUMMARY:

School-life is very busy! To keep our parents up to date with all the goings on at the school spanning P & C and School programs and also class level, we issue a weekly newsletter via e-mail. This newsletter is then forwarded to parents by one of the CLASS PARENTS in each of their children’s classes.

Each class should establish a CLASS PARENT TEAM at the start of the school year consisting of two or more parents who agree to share tasks such as:

  • via e-mail, disseminating a weekly Parent Network Newsletter and class update to the parents in their class and/or occasional sending key updates from the teacher such as updates regarding change of plans, illness etc. Please note that the Parent Network News / Class update needs to be forwarded on Sunday evening / Monday morning each school week. As this function directly supports the teacher, the teacher will invite the parent(s) from those nominating themselves to the parent team at the start of the year
  • gathering and safekeeping parent contact details for each student and linking up parents as appropriate
  • facilitate communication between parents, and/or where relevant, relay information from parents to the school or P & C
  • coordinate class activities such as play dates or parent social events
  • assist in or encouraging volunteer participation in events such as Mothers’ Day Morning Tea. Typically, events are staged by more than one class withsupport by the P & C Events and Fundraising working group
  • collecting funds when necessary (i.e. concert costumes or gift for teacher)
  • attending P&C meetings when possible and garnering input and participation from parents
  • encouraging and coordinating a schedule of parent helpers for learning activities such as reading groups, Kitchen classes etc

CLASS PARENT

A key Class Parent has the role of supporting the teacher primarily via liaising / communicating between the teacher, and class parents, and where relevant also the P&C and working groups.

Class Parent may also fulfil the role of social / event coordinator – however it is recommended that a dedicated other is assigned working with assistance of parent (s) from the class.

Related activities include coordinating and running (in conjunction with another class) one fundraising event for the year, and being called upon by different committees to encourage participation/support within the school. There is aHalloween Fete this year.

TEACHER SUPPORT

  • The Class parent’s role is to offer the teacher support as guided by the teacher. Some will want you to be their gatekeeper, others will not. Please discuss with your teacher ways in which they would like you to assist them.
  • It is up to individual Teachers whether they are happy to give out their email address or not. Just ask them. Some would rather not, some are happy for all the class to have it. This year the recommendation is for parents to request teacher meeting via the general school e-mail. But please check with teacher about their preferences for setting appointment /discussions with parents
  • Teacher may ask the Class Parent to pass on urgent messages on an adhoc basis.

–However, on a regular basis the Class Parent will send a weekly e-mail which includes a round of school activities (Parent Network news) to which they will append class relevant information / reminder for the week ahead. This e-mail should be sent on a Sunday of each school week

  • The teacher may also ask for assistance in specific areas such as helping with a concert / excursion etc.
  • Class Parents are a ‘port of call’ for both teachers and parents; however you are not expected to deal with grievances, agendas or disputes . You may of course be an avenue for such things, but they are to be referred on to the Teacher, school Principal or P and C President. The role is a formal line of communication, not a political role.

COMMUNCATION

  • Anycommunications that go out to parentswhich are relevant to the management ofthe schoolor curriculum must be approved by Bernadette or Michael Jones. Similarly, any queries on such topics should be fielded to school management. This is best done via e mail.
  • Examples may include a query about class configurationsor explaining the system by whichkindy student get to After Care.
  • Other matters ega class play date in the park, organising a Teacher’s birthday present etc do not need to be run by him. If in any doubt, check with Rimmelle via
  • There are also sometimes ‘Stage’ and/or classroom newsletters which are more class specific. If you have anything you wish to place in that newsletter, contact your Teacher.
  • Weekly Round Up e-mail should be sent by Class Parent to other parents in their class each Sunday evening of every term week
  • This composes of the Round Up e-mail prepared by the Parent Network coordinators
  • to which class relevant information / reminder for the week ahead should be added.
  • Class Parent may wish to check with the teacher in the days ahead whether they have messages for this mail-out
  • It is important that this e-mail is sent each Sunday of each school week
  • Try to keep e-mail frequency to a minimum to avoid overwhelming parents. Over majority of weeks a single e-mail per week should suffice.
  • As Class Parents will be more informed about school affairs, it would be helpful for them to join Bondi Public Parent Facebook page to assist with answering queries.

P & C CONNECTION

P&C meetings are an avenue for planning and discussion. In 2016 these will be held once per term. Each class should have at least one parent attend the meeting. This is potentially the Class Parent.

  • P&C meeting minutes will be forwarded to the Class Parent and it expected that that will read them and if necessary pass on any relevant summary to their class.
  • Prior to each P&C meeting please garner whether your class has any agenda / discussion topics and pass this on to the secretary. You will be prompted.

CONTACT LISTS

  • Class contact lists – are gathered from completion of electronic and paper forms. These should be kept up-to-date and copy shared with teacher and
  • You can share contact information with other class parents on the list – but preferably just the top level details such as child’s name, and key parent contact and if relevant allergies
  • Please keep in mind that your class contact list is NOT to be used by you, or by anyone in the class as a means to send advertising material, jokes, chain letters etc.

SOCIAL

  • Especially in younger years, class-wide social events can help bond the children and families. Some classes will hold these once a term. The venue could be a local park for example for an afterschool / Friday
  • You may wish to hold parents only get-togethers. Please consider cost and mobility / special needs when selecting venues
  • The school / P&C puts in a number of social / fund raising events which are idea as class social event
  • If organizing a play date for your class, some recommend inviting other classes in your year too-can be a great way to get to know others and bounce ideas off etc.

GIFT COLLECTION

  • You may wish to celebrate teacher’s birthday / special occasion. It may be appropriate to collet funds toward a gift and or involve children in preparing a gift card etc.
  • This can of course be delegated to another parent
  • Teacher’s birthdays are not publicised – you can ask the teacher at the start of the year if they are willing to share it with the class

Thank you all very much!

If you have any questions, ideas or concerns – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Rimmelle Freedman

0411 422 796