Room Parent Representatives (RPRs)
Thank you for your interest in becoming a RPR! Here is some information to learn more about the job and help you get started.
All room parents must complete the Abington School District (ASD) Clearance Process, receive an ASD badge, and must wear it to all events. Learn more about clearances here.
Parents, guardians, and other family members are all welcome to volunteer as a RPR. Please note that having RPRs is a privilege from the school and at the discretion of each classroom teacher. Some teachers choose not to have RPRs.
There are 2 main jobs of the RPR:
1. Room parents help to coordinate class parties.
2. Room Parents also help coordinate a raffle basket for May Fair. Each grade's room parents and teachers work together as a team to assemble one basket.
Each class will also have a Lead Room Parent, with additional responsibilities.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email the PTO at [email protected]
All room parents must complete the Abington School District (ASD) Clearance Process, receive an ASD badge, and must wear it to all events. Learn more about clearances here.
Parents, guardians, and other family members are all welcome to volunteer as a RPR. Please note that having RPRs is a privilege from the school and at the discretion of each classroom teacher. Some teachers choose not to have RPRs.
There are 2 main jobs of the RPR:
1. Room parents help to coordinate class parties.
- Parties are generally held during the last 20 minutes of the day before fall break, winter break, Valentine's Day, and sometime during the last week of school. Wait for guidance from the school/PTO for a final decision on the timing of each event.
- Remember the teacher is in charge. All party plans must be discussed with, and agreed to, by the teacher. The teacher will make all final decisions and can change or cancel any class party at their discretion. The teacher is responsible for what happens in their class.
- Follow school guidelines regarding food.
- There may be restrictions due to Covid/health about eating during parties.
- Food must be store bought / pre-packaged.
- Be aware of any allergies in the class.
- Make a flier announcing the party, which will be sent home to parents in the class. All fliers or notes must first be reviewed by the teacher for approval before distribution.
- Remember that the fall and winter parties are not associated with a holiday. Please do not include imagery or messages about Halloween, Christmas, etc on the fliers.
- You may ask and encourage parents to voluntarily bring in items or a monetary donation for the class activity or snack.
- The flier must state:
- All donations are voluntary.
- Party is for students in our class and room parents only.
- If monetary donations are being requested, $2-3 is the acceptable amount.
- Don't forget - You must wear your volunteer badge to the party.
2. Room Parents also help coordinate a raffle basket for May Fair. Each grade's room parents and teachers work together as a team to assemble one basket.
- The PTO will reach out about a month before May Fair to assign your grade a theme.
- Room Parents work together to request donations, of money or items, to use in the basket.
- Baskets are raffled off during May Fair as a fundraiser.
Each class will also have a Lead Room Parent, with additional responsibilities.
- The Lead should reach out to the teacher early in the school year to ask how RPRs can best assist with the parties. Some teachers prefer to do most of the planning and others want you to plan and they simply review/approve. Do pass along this information to your co-RPRs.
- Some additional questions to ask the teacher at the beginning of the year:
- Do any students have allergies?
- How many RPRs would you like to attend each party?
- Leads should act as a liason between the group and teacher. 4-6 weeks before each party, Leads should work with the other RPRs to divide tasks and discuss availability.
- Leads should notify the office which RPRs will attend the party 1 week in advance. The school prefers no more than 2 RPRs per event, but it is at the discretion of the teacher.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email the PTO at [email protected]