|
|
There are two categories of participation
required of parents. They are Program Participation and Work Hours.
Program Participation involves assisting at school one session per
month. This involvement offers parents the opportunity to observe their own
and other children in a "neutral" setting, become more familiar
with the school program, and share their own talents and ideas with the
children and staff.
The "Sign-Up Calendar" for scheduling participation is posted two
weeks before the start of the next month. Parents must sign up by the 25th
of the previous month, or be liable to incur the penalty of $50.00 for missing
a parent day. Parents are responsible for covering the day they sign up
for. You may switch  days
with other parents (or split two days with another parent), but you must
make these arrangements on your own. If a parent has substantial difficulty
in participating in an occasional parent day, a substitute may be paid and
arranged for ahead of time. (Please confirm your plans with staff ahead of
time.) If a parent must miss a session for which they’ve signed up and
cannot make arrangements for the day to be covered, a fee of $50.00 will be
charged to cover a substitute and the penalty.
On your parent day please come promptly at 9:00
a.m. Check the curriculum calendar when you sign up. There may
be an event or activity that is of particular interest to you. Let us know
if you have any interests or projects you would like to share with the
children or if there is anything you don’t care to do. Parents may be asked
to help with snack preparation, a custodial job, or clerical chore as well
as be involved with the children. Parents are also required to bring the
snack for the group on their parent day. Snacks should be nutritious and
from two major food groups. (Check ahead with staff if you need some good
ideas.)
 During
the session please bring up any observations you may have, any questions as
to how to handle a certain situation, etc., and remember there is always
room in the day for spontaneous projects and activities.
Work Hours may be completed in a number of ways. The general
requirement is for each family to put in twenty five (25) work hours over
the course of the school year (twelve work hours for single parents, and a
pro-rated amount for families enrolling after September). Work hours are
usually completed by attending several of the Saturday Work Days scheduled
throughout the year. Work Day tasks may include anything from cleaning and
painting to building a new play structure or designing new games.
Other alternative fulfillment of hours may be accomplished by serving on
the Board, extra driving for field trips, substituting for other parents,
or take-home tasks like cleaning or mending. Feel free to offer other
suggestions.
Serving on the Board entails monthly meetings and some committee
work and research time, and benefits the school in developing and
implementing special projects and support especially beneficial to the
school. It is a wonderful venue for interested parents to contribute their
enthusiasm and expertise. Anyone is welcome to attend meetings of the
Board.
We have Parent Meetings at approximate one-and-a-half month
intervals throughout the school year. These meetings are both devoted to
topical discussion of themes pertinent to the parent body (some of our
topics have been "T.V." "Siblings" "Nutrition"
"Aggression" etc.) as well as a vehicle for open discussion of
parents’ concerns, questions, and inspirations. Attendance at the meetings
is voluntary but strongly encouraged.
Parent/Teacher conferences are scheduled regularly in the fall and
in the spring (one or two sessions of  school
may be cancelled to accommodate this). They are also available whenever
requested by a parent or teacher.
The community of Heffalump is another vital resource available to parents.
Through it, support, communication, and fun may be found. We have several
social gatherings each year (potlucks, campouts, fund-raising events, and
parties), and we greatly enjoy the benefits a harmonious community affords.
|
|
