For grades PreK-2nd, coordinators mostly work one on one with their student's teacher. Because grades 3rd-6th are team taught, coordinators will likely work with their student's assigned homeroom teacher as well as the other teachers and coordinators in their student's grade to approach tasks collaboratively. If you would like to share the role of classroom coordinator with another parent/guardian from your child's class, please let us know by contacting Farihah Ibrahim (713-885-1916 or ffia08@gmail.com).
Classroom Coordinator Duties
Teacher meetings / support plans: Each classroom coordinator will need to begin by setting up a time to meet with your assigned teacher(s) to craft a support plan for the school year. At this meeting, teachers can identify what kinds of assistance are most needed for their particular classroom/grade level. Our aim is that each classroom/grade level will have a fairly detailed support plan in place by the end of September--but of course this is dependent on teacher availability during the very busy first few weeks of school. Allow them to take the lead. Teacher support plans will provide a clear blueprint for what to do and when for the rest of the year with adaptations encouraged as the year evolves.
Coordinators should feel free to assist to the extent that they are able with in-class duties and out-of-class organizing--some are able to be on-site often and others must delegate most of these duties to other parents. Ideally coordinators will be able to enlist lots of help from other classroom and grade level parents/guardians/caregivers to fill volunteer slots, provide supplies, etc. Coordinators aren't by any means expected to fulfill all these duties alone.
As a starting point, the PTO has identified some key areas where teacher assistance is most often needed. This will help as you begin to flesh out your support plans:
1. General classroom supplies
-Have all supplies from beginning-of-the-year supply drive been obtained? If not, what's left and who can volunteer to provide it?
-Monitor supply inventory and coordinate donations throughout the year as necessary.
2. Weekly volunteers
-How many are needed? What day(s) of the week?
-What kind of assistance is needed? Leading small groups? Providing extra assistance for students in completing in-class assignments? Reading to students? Materials prep? (The last item could potentially be completed by parents/guardians/caregivers wanting to volunteer from home.)
3. Classroom parties
- How many parties? When and what are we celebrating?
-Will food or drinks be served? (Be sure to take allergies and dietary restrictions into account whenever possible.)
-Decorations?
-Special craft or activity?
-Are in-class volunteers needed for the day of the party? How many? Have they been advised on how to obtain volunteer badges?
-Are supplies needed? Who can volunteer to provide them?
4. Field trips
-How many field trips? Where and when?
-Is assistance needed with collecting permission slips or fees?
-How many chaperones?
-What type of chaperone volunteer badges are needed? Who needs help obtaining these?
