I agree with LUVMYKIDS... We use the term "Room Sponsor"... not to be politically correct, but because we honestly have fathers and grandparents who are interested in being involved in this way!
Admittedly, the percentage of fathers who participate is significantly lower than mothers; but things are changing! My own husband revolves his work schedule around his volunteer "job" as Chess Coach; we have 2 men on our executive board; and, at our meetings, I'd estimate half of the attendees are fathers.
I really think this is one of those cases where semantics really do make a difference. Using the term "room mom" would really send a message that men are not welcome, IMO.
Well then you would be shocked and amazed at our school! We have dads who show up for all the parties and help with games and some who even bake goodies. There are also dads who volunteer in the classroom, work events, and two who serve on the PTO Board and two who handle the child care duties during the meetings.
I think you have to continue to address your correspondence to "parents" because if you just say "moms" that excludes any father who might want to participate. Heaven knows we need all the help we can get!
Room 'parent'! Bwahaha! Have any of you ever met a dad who ever volunteered for that position?
I used to laugh so hard every Tuesday last year when I would get my tuesday envelope from school and the "dear parents" letters would request: costumes for school plays, baked goods, help with arts and crafts projects -- because honestly, I never met a SINGLE father who had ever: made a costume for a school play, signed up to be a room parent, baked a cake, etc. etc. etc. There was, however, one fella who used to show up at functions in a suit, and then when we would ask him to help, he'd explain that he couldn't because he'd get dirty.
It's politically correct to call them 'room parents', but apparently the political correctness doesn't extend to actually asking dear old dad to help.
Lanette,
I would love a copy of your room parent handbook. My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thanks a bunch!
Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can go about finding a room parent for each room?
We sent out a flyer in May to every family asking for room mothers. This usually fills about 60-70% of our room mothers. Then, over the summer I called people that I thought would be willing. I rarely got turned down but we are sort of small school and we all know each other. It helps if you know someone in each grade who could give you tips on who might be willing to volunteer. We, too, used a system in which we had two room mothers per class and we had 3 classes so six room mothers per grade BUT one of them was the "head" room mother and that was the person I contacted who would then touch base with all the others. Also, this year, I created an e-mail mailing list of all the room mothers in the school so I could send out one e-mail to all of them. It worked well.
What should I explain to interested parents that this title will mean?
Well, at our school they plan all the parties (back-to-school, end-of-year, Christmas, etc.). They also get field trip drivers and some coordinate the purchase of gift certificates for the teacher(but that's optional).
Any advice anyone can give that will help me get this going will help bunches!
We made "notebooks" for each room mother and distributed them at a meeting a few days before school starts. The notebooks just gave them a few guidelines and suggestions, also how to get reimbursed for expenses, etc. I think a meeting and a notebook are good ways to let them know what you need them to do.
I've been a room mother for seven years so if you have any other questions, let me know!
Shelly
