Dear Parents,
Thank you for volunteering to help in your child’s classroom! The following guidelines are offered to help us build a classroom community of lifelong learners.
1. Center time is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30-9:30 am. It is helpful when parents are here on time to hear the instructions and or modeling of each activity as they are given to the students. This will ensure that the learning centers are guided properly ACCORDING TO THE TEACHERS DIRECTIONS.
2. It is very important for parent volunteers to remember that “what happens inside the classroom, stays in the classroom.” We as teachers, and you as parent volunteers, are required to follow the Privacy Act. THIS MEANS THAT YOU MAY NOT DIVULGE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING A STUDENT TO ANYONE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM. We need to respect the confidentiality of all students.
3. The children are expected to use proper junior kindergarten behavior while working in the learning centers. PARENT VOLUNTEERS SHOULD ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO USE QUIET “INSIDE” (WHISPER) VOICES, CLEAN UP, AND STAY FOCUSED ON THE LEARNING TASK AT ALL TIMES. Parent volunteers may give warnings and time-outs if a child’s behavior is inappropriate and keeps others from learning. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE LEARNING CENTERS ARE QUIET SO THAT THE TEACHER IS ABLE TO WORK WITH A SMALL GUIDED GROUP.
4. It is equally important that parents follow the quiet rule. IF YOU ARE IN OUR CLASSROOM, WE EXPECT YOU TO USE A QUIET VOICE ALSO. The children need to have appropriate behaviors modeled for them. It is important for the students to see that parents are also quiet and remain focused during this time. If there is more than one parent in the room, please limit the amount of discussion taking place. It is difficult for the students to stay focused if there are distractions.
5. WHEN THE CHILDREN FINISH THE ASSIGNED ACTIVITY, THEY ARE TO REMAIN AT THEIR CENTER TABLE UNTIL THE TEACHER’S SIGNAL. Please have the early-finishers work on a follow-up activity at their center table or quietly read at their table.
6. BEFORE EXCUSING THE CHILDREN FROM THE CENTER, PLEASE HAVE THEM CLEAN UP THEIR WORK SPACE. CRAYONS, SCISSORS, PENCILS, GLUE STICKS (WITH THE LIDS SECURED PROPERLY) NEED TO BE PUT IN THEIR PENCIL BOXES AND MARKERS, GLUE, AND SCISSORS NEED TO BE PUT IN THE CORRECT CONTAINER, SCRAPS PICKED UP AND PUT IN THE TRASH, AND CHAIRS PUSHED IN. It is not the parent volunteers’ responsibility to clean up – it is the students’ responsibility.
7. If time allows, it would be very helpful to wipe off the center tables with a Clorox wipe when the children have finished working. Cleaning products are kept in the cabinet next to the ball bucket.
8. If you have extra time, we always need pencils sharpened, papers filed, etc. Please check the “prep” counter on the back counter or ask and I will point you in the right direction.
9. If you are unable to volunteer on your assigned day, please contact another volunteer to take your place. It is important that a parent helper assist with one of our center groups.
I hope you will enjoy this very special year with your child! Thank you so much for your time and effort.
In Christ,
Mrs. Loranger
