Classroom Parent Resources

First Steps for Classroom Parents: 

1. Once you've been assigned as a classroom parent, reach out to your classroom teacher and find a time to meet. (There is a "How Can I Help?" resource below that will help guide this conversation. )

2. Talk with your teacher about their unique classroom needs and how you can best support them throughout the year. 

3. Make sure your classroom teacher (and associate, if applicable) fill out the favorite things survey (also below) for you to share with families in your initial email.

4. Get the classroom email list and email a quick introduction to families. (An example email is below.)

5. Follow through on your initial teacher conversation by coordinating class parties, volunteers, and more throughout the year!

6. Maintain regular communication with families throughout the year. This may include:

   • Requests for help in the classroom

   • Ongoing updates specific to your classroom

   • CMPG information (on occasion we may ask you to forward something)

Classroom Parent Resources:

• This How Can I Help? classroom parent resource provides a list of previously requested tasks that teachers have asked their classroom parents for help with in the past or that current teachers have requested for this year. We recommend that you meet with your classroom teacher early in the year and review this list together to gain a clear understanding of what would be most helpful to your classroom teacher. 

• This Teacher's Favorite Things document is a cute and simple way to gather some information that you can share with other classroom parents for use throughout the year. Families may want to gift small items for the teacher's birthday, holidays, conferences, Teacher Appreciation Week, or as a token of appreciation at the end of the year. If you're a classroom parent for Children's House, please don't forget your classroom associate.

• This First Classroom Parent Email Example document provides sample text for your first email to families. 

• SignUpGenius is a free online resource that we use when we need to coordinate volunteers, and we highly suggest it for classroom parent use as well.

• Primary Playground is a blog with lots of classroom party ideas. Not all of the ideas are perfectly aligned with the Cowles and/or Montessori community, but it's a great place to start!

• The internet is full of other wonderful ideas! Look for articles like these on Harvest Festival, Winter Activities, and Valentine's Day if you want to incorporate more Montessori activities into your classroom party planning.