2015-16
St. Ignatius, Martyr School
Homeroom Parents Guide
Home of the
Bobcats
Table of Contents
Welcome …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2
PTO Officers ………………. ………........................................................................................................... 3
Important Information ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Calendar of Events ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5-6
Grandparents Day……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Fall Fest ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8-9
Halloween Carnival ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10-12
PTO Meetings and Concessions …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 13
School Grounds Clean-up ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 14
BINGO …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 15-16
Book Fair……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
School Masses…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 18
Mardi Gras…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19
Teacher/Staff Appreciation …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 20
Teacher Potlucks and Snacks………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 21
Other Events ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Classroom Parties ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23
Where Do I Start?? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
Sample Letters ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 25-26
Notes ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 27
Sign Up Sheets Powered by Bringit………………………………………………………………………………………………. 28
Login to RenWeb to Record Your Volunteer Hours ………….………………………………………………………….. 29
Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Summary …………………………………………………………………………………….. 30
1
Dear Parents,
Thank you so much for volunteering to be a Homeroom Parent this school year. We are excited to have
you on board! Your time and talent is a value to everyone here at St. Ignatius.
This guide is to serve as a source of information you will need throughout the year. Please take time to
coordinate the events with your class and teacher(s). Some teachers may have additional classroom
needs that you can also help to coordinate, such as reading time, field trip volunteers, etc.
As a Homeroom Parent, your main responsibility is to communicate and coordinate activities and
include as many parents as possible to help. You are not expected to bring all the treats, plan all the
parties and participate in all classroom activities. You will find that many parents like to be involved in
their children’s activities and classrooms; all you have to do is ask them to help.
We look forward to working with each of you in creating a great year for our students. Please feel free
to contact me, or any other PTO member, if you have any questions. Have Fun!!
Thanks for your commitment,
Teresa Rojo
VP of Stewardship
[email protected]
(512) 576-6020
2
PTO Officers 2015-2016
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pastor
Fr. Bill Wack, C.S.C.
[email protected]
Principal
Jennifer Malone
[email protected]
President
Nicolle Kord
[email protected]
Secretary
Stephanie Rabago
[email protected]
Treasurer
Karina Quintero
[email protected]
VP of Events
Vacant
VP of Stewardship
Teresa Rojo
[email protected]
VP of Fundraising
Pete Longoria
[email protected]
VP of Development
Laura Griebel
[email protected]
Teacher Liason
Julie Vondrak
Backup: Kathryn Aguilar
[email protected]
[email protected]
3
Important Information
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Keep classroom parents informed with monthly newsletters/emails of upcoming events and
dates.
2. Please plan for events in advance. Give parents enough time to contribute or to volunteer their
time or talent. Do not be afraid to ask. You might want to keep a list of who volunteers for a
certain event, just in case you need it for future reference.
3. When asking for money or items, ask the class parents to give it to the teacher. Have parents
place money/items in an envelope/bag with their child’s name on it.
4. Please do not spend your own money on things you need for any event. Have the classroom
parents share in the cost.
5. If you are planning a fundraiser, get approval from Ms. Malone in advance. This is very
important.
6. Homeroom Parents are the primary communicators to the class parents regarding certain
events. You may need to call or email parents for special events. It is important to print out a
class directory (available on RenWeb) or ask parents for this information.
7. This is an opportunity for everyone to get involved in our school and have fun, while creating
wonderful memories for our students.
8. Remind parents that the hours they volunteer need to be logged on Ren Web.
9. Please remind parents that all volunteers are required to attend the “Protecting God’s Children”
workshop (also known as Ethics and Integrity in Ministry “EIM”) sponsored by our Diocese.
Dates and times for workshops can be found at www.austindiocese.org. Parents will need to
complete this workshop in order to volunteer in the classrooms.
10. This year, we are asking for at least one parent volunteer to serve on a PTO sub team. This role
can be shared between parents, divided by semesters - whatever works for your parents!
Serving on these sub teams include assisting with various tasks (setting up for PTO meetings,
Bingos, selling items at school during lunch, creating flyers, etc.).
11. Some parents do not read your email communications because the emails get “lost” or mixed up
with their other emails. Suggest creating a new email account to be used only for St. Ignatius
communications. Remind them to update their new email address in Renweb if they do this.
4
Calendar
_____________________________________________________________________________________
2015
August
6-12
6
8
9
10
13
14
25
28
St. Ignatius Faculty Inservice
New Faculty Inservice-Pastoral Center
All School Beautification Day-8:30am
75th Anniversary Kick-off-Mass with the
Bishop and Reception 9am
Diocesan Mass for Faculty and Staff 10:30 at
St.Helen
First Day of School-Noon Dismissal No
Afterschool Care, No lunch
Noon Dismissal No Afterschool Care, No
lunch
Back to School Night-6-8:00pm New Parent
Orientation 6:00-6:30-Classroom Visits (All
Parents) 6:30-8:00pm
PTO Back to School Social
October (continued)
14
End of First Marking Period
15 & 16 Noon Dismissal-No ASC, No lunch-ParentTeacher Conferences/Report Card
Distribution-Beginning of Second Marking
Period
16
PTO Bingo
16
75th Anniversary Event- Alumni Mass
17
Feast of St.Ignatius
17
St. I SMASH
20
Vision and Hearing Screening
28
Student Photo Retakes
30
Halloween Carnival-PTO
November
6
Diocesan Choir Festival at St. Vincent de
Paul Catholic Church
10
PTO Meeting -Dinner 5:30-Meeting 6:30
14
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon: 6th grade & K-2
20
PTO Bingo
25-29 Thanksgiving Break- No School
29
First Sunday of Advent
September
7
Labor Day-No School
8
Student Photos
8
PTO Meeting -Dinner 5:30-Meeting 6:30
11
Grandparent's Day Celebration
12
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon: 8th grade & PK-3
15
75th Anniversary of School's First Day
16
Noon Dismissal-No ASC, No lunch-Austin
Area Staff Inservice
18
School Holiday-No School
19
Fall Fest
21-25 Scholastic Book Fair
26
Diocesan School Advisory Board Inservice
8:30-12-Pastoral Center
28 -10/2 Iowa Assesment-K-8th Grade
December
11
School Advent/Christmas Program
12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
12
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon : 5th grade
18
End of the Second Marking Period
18
Noon Dismissal-No ASC, No lunch
21 -1/4 Christmas Break-No School
2016
October
5-9
Homecoming
9
Homecoming Dance Middle School-7-10pm
10
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noo : 7th grade & K-1
12
No School -Diocesan Institute Mayborn
Conference Center 8:30-3:00
January
4
5
8
9
5
Teacher Inservice-No School
First Day of the Second Semester
Report Card Distribution
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon - 4th grade
January (continued)
12
PTO Meeting- 5:30 Dinner & 6:30 Meeting
15
Class Photos
18
MLK Day-No School
24
Open House noon to 3pm
25
100th Day of School
28
Middle School Science Fair
30
Celebrating Catholic Schools Dinner
31-2/6 Catholic Schools Week
April
5
9
9
15
18-22
29
May
7
9 -13
10
14
February
6
Mardi Gras Gala
10
Ash Wednesday
15
President's Day- No School
20
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon- 3rd grade
March
8
11
11
12
14
16
16-28
25
27
29
ACRE Testing
Diocesan Science Fair- 9am-2pm
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon-1st grade
Spring Dance- Student Government/NJHS
Scholastic Book Fair
Teacher Inservice-Noon Dismissal-No ASC,
No lunch
First Communion-5pm Mass
Starbase- 5th grade
PTO Meeting-5:30 Dinner, 6:30 Meeting
Academic & Athletic Awards CeremonyGrades 4th-8th
14
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon- PK-4A & PK-4B
20
Last Day of School for 8th grade
21
8th Grade Graduation-10am
27
Last Day of School/Report Card
Distribution/Noon Dismissal-No ASC, No
lunch
30
Memorial Day Holiday
31
Teacher Inservice Day/ Inclement Weather
Make-up Day if needed
PTO Meeting- 5:30 Dinner & 6:30 Meeting
75th Anniversary Event- Alumni Mass
End of Marking Period
Grounds Clean-Up 9-noon- 2nd grade
Beginning of New Marking Period
Noon Dismissal- No ASC, No lunch/Report
Card Distribution
Spring Break & Easter Holiday- No School
Good Friday
Easter Sunday
Classes Resume
June
1
4
6
Teacher Inservice/ Inclement Weather
make-Up Day if needed
75th Anniversary Event-Alumni Mass at
5pm and Reception in Family Center
Grandparents Day
__________________________________________________________________________________
September 11, 2015
The Grandparents Day Celebration consists of the Friday morning school mass honoring all grandparents
with a reception immediately following in the Family Center. Tickets will be provided for the reception.
The PTO provides most of the refreshments but requests the classes to provide orange juice and
pastries. We also need volunteers to help set up, serve and clean up. Two separate sign up sheet links
will be provided for you to forward to your classes.
Link for volunteers:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/qLCd61rlrV4
Link for donations:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/XbQRy7uOl2E
7
Fall Fest
_____________________________________________________________________________________
September 19, 2015 – 11:00 am to 8:00 pm
St. Ignatius Martyr Catholic Church sponsors an annual Fall Festival which is the parish’s largest
fundraiser. It is an all day festival filled with food and game booths, music, etc. Funds raised at this event
go to support various ministries, which includes our school. As recipients of this support, our school is
being asked to provide assistance setting up and operating booths.
Since there will not be a Fall Fest Dinner Auction this year, we will not be making Fall Fest Baskets.
Instead, the Fall Fest Committee requests we put our time, talent and treasure into truly decorating the
Fall Fest booths, much like we do for the Halloween Carnival.
Fall Fest Booths – September 19
The school is asked to decorate and man ten booths. Things to be done:
•
Each lead homeroom parent should get a booth coordinator responsible for getting a
booth theme/design, decorating , operating , and cleaning up at the end. The classes
that share a booth need to coordinate with the other class to create a design and to
share volunteer responsibilities.
•
Signup sheet links will be provided for volunteers for setup, 30 min. intervals between
11am – 8pm, and clean up. Keep the sign-up sheet at your booth so everyone knows
who is working when.
•
The Fall Fest committee will set up the booth and provide supplies needed. You are
responsible for decorations.
•
Create a class banner to acknowledge your classrooms.
•
Follow game rules to keep the games fair.
•
This year no prizes are given at the game booth. Tickets will be given as follows:
1 ticket awarded at a consolation prize
2 tickets for measure of skill
3 tickets to the winner (max tickets per player)
•
Tickets are redeemed for prizes at the Ticket Redemption Booth.
•
There is a booth decorating contest with a $50 gift card for 1st place and $25 gift cards
for 2nd and 3rd place.
8
Fall Fest Booth Assignments With Sign Up Sheet Links
Grade
Booth Theme
PK3 & 5th
Bowling
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/YrK3PnY3LA4
PK4 A & B
Duck Pond
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/ku+$IsR9zxY
Kinder 1 & 2
Fishing Pond
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/$oKsccZEnKE
1st
Confetti Eggs/Silly String
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/cwxtUS$aFt8
2nd
Bucket Toss
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/+rWJ3yD7ap0
3rd
Soda Ring Toss
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/5BKpfBfLhoI
4th
Hair Spray Painting
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/67EKfrHzYDs
6th
JENGA
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/HqA56fr1UkM
7th
Football Throw
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/uxmZUSgoMF0
8th
Balloon Dart Throw
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/+w5ZtpDFmx0
9
Halloween Carnival
_____________________________________________________________________________________
October 30, 2015 from 6-8p
Every year a Halloween Carnival is coordinated for the benefit of our children’s enjoyment. Admission to
the Carnival is free. This event is fun and gives our school an opportunity to participate as a family. Each
class is asked to sponsor a booth based on the theme assigned to the class.
Things to be done in preparation for the Carnival are:
•
Define how you will create and decorate your booth based on theme.
•
Prepare a list of items needed and communicate to parents.
•
Ask each family to provide decorations or donate money to purchase items for the booth. These
decorations are not provided by PTO.
•
Prepare a 30 minute interval signup sheet for parents to sign up for a shift to decorate/set up,
man the booth, clean up, child care and manning the cash box for concessions.
•
Layout of the family center will be provided and will indicate the location of your class booth.
•
The booth will need to be ready by 6pm, and you can start setting up by 4pm. Breakdown/cleanup starts at 8pm.
•
Prizes will be provided by the PTO for best booths.
•
The contests are usually:
-
Best Decorated Booth – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
-
Best Costume
Concession Booth:
6th Grade
PTO will provide everything for concession sales:
-
Plate with hot dog, chips & lemonade will be sold for $3
-
Nachos will be $2
-
Sodas & Water will be $1
10
HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL BOOTH ASSIGNMENTS WITH
SIGN UP SHEET LINKS
Grade
Booth Theme
PK3
Arts & Crafts
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/Ilhcfxb116o
PK4 A
Pin Tail on Cat
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/HeKCs2kbgN8
PK4 B
Go Fish
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/CsIP4LT8AmM
Kinder 1
Cupcake Walk
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/LFECNLRTd1k
Kinder 2
Ring Toss
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/AmM$IxH3Uvg
1st Grade
Fortune Telling
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/VkGkiQql+t8
2nd Grade
Casket Ball
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/+mTwmgrASa0
3rd Grade
Book Walk
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/tPrkySc2WLI
4th Grade
Bean Bag Toss
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/tjQrx+d545Y
11
5th Grade
Bowling
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/LbAX24jO6Aw
6th Grade
Concession
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/5fthPWNCB90
7th Grade
Football Throw
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/Ax0KXv7oBV0
8th Grade
Haunted House
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/ieDgYOH9TPo
12
PTO Meetings and Concessions
_____________________________________________________________________________________
PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) meetings are held every other month on a Tuesday from 6:307:30pm in the school’s Family Center. Two classes will be responsible for set up, concession sales,
childcare, and cleanup. Confession sales start at 5:30 pm and go until 7:30 pm. PTO will provide the
dinners for sale but the classes are responsible for providing sodas, bottled waters, and desserts for sale.
Schedule
Sponsoring Grade
September 8th
3rd and 4th
November 10th
1st and 7th
January 12th
PK3, 2nd and 8th
March 8th
PK4 A & B and 6th
May 12th
Kinder 1 & 2 and 5th
These meetings are designed to keep parents informed of school news, events, activities and other
pertinent information. This is also an opportunity to voice opinions, raise questions, or praise someone
doing a great job.
Homeroom parents should encourage class parents to attend meetings so they are up to date on what is
happening at the school. The class with the most attendance will receive a prize from the PTO.
Students of a parent that attends the PTO meeting will receive an “Out of Uniform Pass”, which will be
for the following school day, or other day.
Childcare is provided at all meetings by the sponsoring class.
The PTO will provide dinner plates to sell for $5. *Classroom parents will provide desserts for $1.00 and
sodas/water for $1.*
Lead Homeroom parents should contact each other to determine who will provide what. Parents can
sign up to donate items or money for items for a lead parent or class parent to purchase. Parents will
also need to sign up for a shift to set up, sell or clean up kitchen when done.
Set up can begin @ 5:00pm (flexible).
Link to the sigh up sheet:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/NGk1bLS7O$U
13
School Grounds Clean-up
_____________________________________________________________________________________
on Saturdays, From 9:00 am -12:00 pm
In an attempt to keep the school grounds looking nice, families get together from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
one Saturday each month to clean the school grounds. Each class is assigned a date in which parents and
children come together and provide this service. Things to do:
•
Notify parents of the date your class is assigned.
•
Things parents should bring: rakes, brooms, leaf blower, weed/bush trimmers, extension cords,
gloves, garbage bags, etc.
•
If possible, have a sign-up sheet as to who will bring what.
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/BS7zid8XRqU
A list of things to be done around the school will be provided.
•
Mrs. Malone will come to the school and open any lock(s) needed.
•
Children of parents that participate in the clean-up will receive an “Out of Uniform Pass” for
the following Tuesday. Parents will need to work at least 2 hours in order to receive this pass.
•
Participation in school clean-up counts towards volunteer hours for the school year.
•
Please email the parent signup sheet at the end of the cleanup to your teacher, so they can be
notified of the students receiving the out of uniform pass.
•
If any parents cannot attend on the day that their grade is sponsoring the clean but still wish to
participate they can help on another day of their choice.
Date
Sponsoring Grade
September 12th
PreK3 and 8th
October 10th
Kinder 1 and 7th
November 14th
Kinder 2 and 6th
December 12th
5th
January 9th
4th
February 20th
3rd
March 12th
2nd
April 9th
1st
May 14th
PreK4 A and B
14
BINGO
_____________________________________________________________________________________
BINGO is the PTO’s best fundraiser in which parents are asked to support. Classes are assigned one
Bingo a year and are responsible for providing and selling food at the concession and child care.
•
Lead homeroom parents should contact each other to determine the menu. It should include a
meat portion and at least one side, if not two. Once the menu is decided, please let PTO know
so we can get it advertised. Prepare enough for 100 people.
•
Since PTO only has 3 Bingo games this year, we will be selling the desserts as well. Classes are
responsible for providing the sodas, bottled water and desserts.
•
PTO will provide additional items to be sold such as nachos, pickles, etc.
•
Determine what class will provide items needed, who will prepare what and who will work what
shift and communicate to class parents.
•
Prepare a signup sheet for parents to sign up for a shift to cook, set up, sell, clean up or child
care.
•
Have a signup sheet for parents so they can sign up to donate food items needed, or they can
contribute money to purchase items needed.
•
Sponsoring class is responsible for child care.
•
PTO will provide paper products; plates, napkins, utensils, cups, nacho boats. The PTO cabinet
will be unlocked for retrieval of these items.
Setup:
•
•
•
•
•
Cooking/set-up can start at 4pm
Bring all items needed for preparing & serving food.
Be ready to serve by 6:00 pm and stop by 8:30 pm.
Classes are responsible for cleaning the kitchen when done.
Money box (with change) will be provided by PTO treasurer.
Recommended Prices:
•
•
•
•
$6.00 Per plate (includes lemonade & container for lemonade provided by PTO)
$2.00 Nachos
$1.00 Pickles, Soda, Water
$1.00 Desserts
You may reduce the prices at intermission.
15
BINGO DATES AND ASSIGNED GRADES
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Bingo Date
Sponsoring Grade
October 16th
PK3, 1st, 2nd & 6th
November 20th
PK4 A & B, 3rd, 5th & 8th
April 8th
Kinder 1 & 2, 4th & 7th
Below is the signup sheet link:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/nqK256jYi9I
16
BOOK FAIR
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Book Fair is one of favorite events among our students. All the profits raised from the Book Fair go
directly to help add more books to our school library.
PTO is responsible for setting up, operating and tearing down two book fairs a year, one in the fall and
one in the spring. Set up is usually on Monday mornings, with sales Tuesday through Friday, and tear
down Friday morning after assembly.
The Fall Scholastic Book Fair is September 21 – 25, 2015.
The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is April 18 – 22, 2016.
Several volunteers are needed throughout the Fair to help set up the Book Fair, run the cash register,
reorganize books during the Fair and help pack up after the Fair.
Below is the link for the Book Fair signup sheet.
http://www2.mysignup.com/cgi-bin/view.cgi?sti-fall-bf2015
Any questions regarding Book Fair should be directed to Mrs. Staveley at:
[email protected]
17
School Masses
St. Ignatius Martyr Church takes up a collection for our school the second weekend of every month. To
show a presence at these masses, Fr. Bill would like all Pk4 through 8th grade classes to serve as
greeters, ushers and gift bearers at each mass. We request one parent to help coordinate the students
and at least four students per mass to sign up to serve, but of course we always encourage more to
attend, wear their uniforms and share in these duties! The ushers are good about finding "jobs" for all
the kids in uniforms.
Lead parents will receive the mass sign up link monthly to assist in ensuring all masses are covered with
at least four students.
Mass Date
September 12th & 13th
October 10th & 11th
November 7th & 8th
December 12th & 13th
January 9th & 10th
February 13th &14th
March 12th & 13th
April 9th & 10th
May 7th & 8th
Some other things to remember:
 Students must wear their full mass uniforms and represent St. Ignatius School while on their
best behavior.
 Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of mass and check in with the lead parent or an
usher.
 Before mass, greeters should greet parishioners at the two ends of the doors saying, “Good
morning” or “Good evening.”
 Gift Bearers will take up the gifts before communion.
 After mass, the presiding priest will recognize our students. Please stand to be recognized.
 After mass, greeters should open doors for parishioners while saying “Thank you” and “Have a
great morning/ evening.”
The school mass sign up link is:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/gJhu5RQKdbo
18
MARDI GRAS
_____________________________________________________________________________________
February 6, 2016
The Mardi Gras Masquerade Dinner and Dance Gala will be held on Saturday, Feb 6,2016. It is a festive
evening as many of our local talents provide a New Orleans experience for our guests. The Masquerade
usually starts with a French Quarter reception and continues with dining, a live and silent auction, and
end on the dance floor with live music. All proceeds benefit our tuition assistance fund for current and
future St. Ignatius students.
There is a separate committee that is responsible for organizing Mardi Gras. Classrooms participate by
contributing a special class made item that will be auctioned at Mardi Gras. Last year the 5th - 8th grade
classes were encouraged to contribute money towards one of the Live Auction items with the suggested
donation being $5-$10.
19
Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week
_____________________________________________________________________________________
January 31th – February 6th
Catholic Schools Week is our opportunity to show our teachers and staff how much they are appreciated
for our students’ education and well-being.
On behalf of the parents, the teachers are treated to a PTO sponsored dinner during this Teacher
Appreciation Week. The dinner is off site and gives the teachers a chance to enjoy each other’s company
away from the school environment. Parents will not need to contribute for this event, but should be
made aware that it is happening.
Homeroom parents are asked to coordinate with the class parents on ways to acknowledge our teachers
and staff. You should ask for ideas that are cost effective and would be appreciated by all. Some ideas
that can be considered are:





Monday – Each student brings a flower for each teacher. These are all placed in a vase provided
by the class. The teacher gets to enjoy a beautiful bouquet all week!
Tuesday –Each student brings a sweet treat for the teachers.
Wednesday – Each student brings a small gift card for the teachers.
Thursday – Each student brings a handmade card for the teachers.
Friday – Small donations taken up to treat the teachers to a special lunch.
Other ideas are fruits, office product like post it pads, pens, pretty paper, or colorful paper clips, and
feel good items like soaps, candles, or lotion.
Because we want to recognize all of our teachers and staff, and some do not have individual classes, PTO
assigns an extra teacher or staff member to each class. Class assignments are as follows:
PreK 3
PreK 4A
PreK 4B
Kinder 1
Kinder 2
1st Grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
Jenny Tyler/ Carla Petterson
Kelly Jones
Sandy Palacios
Kathy Skaggs
Julie Vondrak
Kathy Aguilar
Kaylyn Brune
Maureen Jochetz
Kelley Gregg
Elizabeth Freitag
Linda Halm
Nicki DeStasi
Kristi Ingram
20
Monique Dacheff
Barbara D'Amico
Pattie Resendez
Ruth Gomez
Rosie Ramon
Elyse Cortez
Kelly Salas
Robert Flores
Juan Vasquez
Mark McElhaney
JC Shakespeare
Bob Mahoney
Debbie Staveley
Teacher Potlucks and Snacks
_____________________________________________________________________________________
In order to show our appreciation to the teachers and staff throughout the year, PTO has set up bimonthly Teacher Potluck breakfasts and lunches, and continuous snacks in the teachers’ lounge.
The potlucks are handled through a separate PTO committee that sends a signup sheet to those who
volunteer on that committee.
The link for the bimonthly potluck signup is:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/$huoAa$zs24
Snacks are provided monthly. Each class is assigned a month and will receive a signup sheet indicating
what snacks need to be brought in that month. Sonia Hernandez is leading snack donations and will put
together the list of items needed. She can be reached at [email protected] for questions.
The signup link for snacks is:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/gCsRtJaC7ro
Monthly teacher snack assignments are as follows:
Month
Grade
September
7th
October
5th & 8th
November
2nd
December
6th
January
Kinder 1 & 2
February
PreK 3 & 1st
March
3rd
April
PreK 4 A & B
May
4th
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Other Events
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Open House for New Students-Jan. 24, 2016 from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm: An
Open House Committee on the School Advisory Board will coordinate this
event and provide additional information at a later date. Parent volunteers
will be needed for this event.
Link for volunteers:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/N50e9G4fi+U
Link for food items:
http://stignatiuspto.pleasebringit.com/public/PrdjeuVdyn4
Catholic Schools Week-Jan. 31 – Feb. 2, 2016: Each year our school
celebrates Catholic Schools Week which begins the last Sunday in January.
Classes are asked to participate in certain events throughout the week, which
also includes Teacher/Staff Appreciation. More information will be provided
at a later date.
Bobcat Fun Run-Date not set yet: It is the school’s largest fundraiser which
supports efforts to improve our school curriculum, provide school
improvements and help with the operating budget. Students are encouraged
to raise money by asking for donations from company sponsorships, family,
and friends and they participate in a competitive Fun Run. Parent volunteers
will be needed. Detailed information will be provided by the Fun Run
Committee.
Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education: These are collected
throughout the year by dropping them in the box in the school entrance
area. The school gathers these twice a year, once in the Fall and once in the
Spring. The classroom with the most labels will receive an ice cream party
from PTO. The due dates for turning in labels are October 16, 2015 and
March 1, 2016.
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Classroom Parties
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Always facilitate parties/events with your teacher. Parties are usually held for Christmas, Valentine’s
Day, End of the Year, etc. Coordinate with the other parents on what items to bring.
Teacher Requests:
Birthday Parties
•
Simple & easy snacks, such as BITE SIZED cupcakes, SMALL muffins, raisins, popcorn, fruit
(grapes, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries) yogurt cups, cheese sticks, veggie sticks, dried
fruit, etc., which don’t require cutting. (Avoid foods with hydrogenated oils and artificial
sweeteners.)
•
No red frosting & no toy bags
•
Send 100% juice boxes or water bottles (no juice cartons & cups)
•
If party is during lunch, parent must be there to help
•
If party is during snack, the teacher can pass it out if needed
Class Parties
•
Provide a variety of foods, well-balanced
•
Homeroom parent is to touch base with teacher first on logistics and then communicate to class
parents
Parent Request:
•
Always check with the teacher first when planning
•
For parties, try to incorporate fun themes with learning
•
You may ask parents to donate $ at the beginning of the year for classroom parties or do sign
up sheets and money requests throughout the year
•
Well balanced and healthy food choices at parties
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WHERE DO I START??
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1. SET UP A MEETING WITH YOUR TEACHER! Try to do this the first or second week of school.
Keep it short and prepare for the meeting ahead of time. You can provide the teacher(s) with
the Teacher Information Sheet.
2. DISCUSS/PLAN SCHOOL CALENDAR: Suggestions – Review the 12 month calendar and plan
activities, holiday parties, birthday party requests, field trips, reading time, and any other events
the teacher may have planned. Talk about likes and dislikes.
3. WISH LIST: Ask your teacher if they have a “wish list” of items needed for the classroom. Once
they provide you a list, forward to the class parents and see who can purchase what (somewhat
like a giving tree at Christmas).
4. GET CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE PARENTS IN YOUR CLASSROOM: Suggestion – send out
an introductory letter outlining your plans for the year, how you will communicate (email,
phone, etc.), who is on your Homeroom Parent Team, ask for suggestions, request for additional
parents to share duties, etc. Most of the information you need will be provided on RenWeb;
however, to make sure it is correct, have parents complete an information card and return it to
you. Keep a list and distribute it to your class so that everyone has the information.
Homeroom Parent Contact Information
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Sample Letters
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Teachers and Staff Appreciation
Dear (teacher’s name),
We want to thank you for all that you do for our children. We will try to do this as often as we can, but
there are times we like to go that extra step and get you a little something special. This is where we
need your help. Please fill out this form and return it to your Homeroom Parent so we can surprise you
with the things you really like. Thank you.
Name ____________________________________________________________________________
Birthday __________________________________ Anniversary _____________________________
Favorite Color ________________________________ Shirt Size______________________________
Hobbies/Collections _________________________________________________________________
Favorite Stores _____________________________________________________________________
Type of books/magazines you like ______________________________________________________
Favorite Authors ____________________________________________________________________
Do you like to go to the movies? _____________ Favorite Theater ____________________________
Please list your following favorites:
Beverage:__________________________Fast Food:_________________________________________
Candy:____________________________ Snack Food: _______________________________________
Cookie: ___________________________ Other “treat”: ______________________________________
Coffee or tea/Starbucks or other:_________________________________________________________
Favorite flower/Plant:__________________________________________________________________
Favorite fragrance (candle, bath & body):__________________________________________________
Allergies:____________________________________________________________________________
Thank you – Homeroom Parents
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Sample Letters
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Homeroom Parent Letter
Hello Parents!
My name is __________ and my son/daughter _______ is in class with your son/daughter. I am one of
the Homeroom Parents this year and would like to welcome you back to school. It’s going to be a great
year!
First of all, RELAX! I know that you have probably been overwhelmed with the amount of information
that has been given to you already; the first couple of weeks are always hectic. However, we have a
great team of homeroom parents here to help you. The other homeroom parents are
____________________. Feel free to contact anyone of us if you have any questions.
We have a very exciting and busy year ahead of us and your help will be needed and is much
appreciated. We are jumping right into the school year with four major events already scheduled in
September – the PTO meeting, Grandparents Day mass and reception, Fall Fest and the Book Fair.
Communication is vital to make all these events a success. Communication will be mainly via email to
update you on the upcoming events, let you know what kind of help is needed and to pass along
information.
We look forward to a fabulous year and exciting year for our kids.
Thank you so much!
[List all names of classroom lead parents]
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Notes
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Sign Up Sheets Powered by Bringit
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http://signup.pleasebringit.com/
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RenWeb to Record Your Volunteer Hours
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Our RenWeb School Management Software gives you, the busy parent, an opportunity to get more
involved in your child's academic progress and future success - all via the Internet!
RenWeb's ParentsWeb is a private and secure website that has been set up for our school to allow
you to see complete information specific to your child. You can view your child's grades, attendance,
homework and conduct, as well as other useful school information. You can also communicate with
teachers and school staff online whenever necessary. All you need is an Internet-capable computer.
Here's how to access our easy-to-use RenWeb ParentsWeb:
 Go to Internet Explorer and type in the address of our school website at
http://www.st-ignatius.org/school.
 Click on "RenWeb" found at the top of the page next to School Calendar
 Log in as follows:
1. Click the First Time Users tab if you have not logged in to RenWeb before. If you have,
skip to Step 5.
2.
Enter your email address that you provided to the school.
3. Click the New ParentWeb Account link. You will receive an email containing your
password within 3 minutes (to the email address you entered, which must be the same
email address that you provided to the school).
4. Click on the ParentsWeb Login again on the school website after receiving
your password.
5.
Enter your email address that you provided to the school.
6.
Enter the ParentsWeb password assigned.
7. Click Yes on the Remember My Email? option if you would like
the login screen to automatically populate your email address on subsequent logins.
8.
Click the Parent Login button.
 To access grades, click "Classrooms." This will bring up all classes in which your child is enrolled
at the school.
 Click on "Homework Summary" or "Grade book Summary" at the top of the column for each
child.
 You can access other school information regarding your child on this site, as well as email the
teachers directly!
 To record volunteer hours, click “Family Information”. Under “My Profiles” click a parent. Click
“Service Hours” tab. Click “Add Service Hours”.
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If you need it our District Code is: STIGN-TX
DIOCESE OF AUSTIN ~ ETHICS AND INTEGRITY IN MINISTRY
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Who needs to be EIM compliant, and why?
On Jan. 1, 2002, the Catholic Diocese of Austin instated policies on Ethics and
Integrity in Ministry (EIM) for all employees and adult volunteers who minister
to youth or vulnerable adults in the diocese.
In order to attend any school functions, including field trips and classroom parties,
parents must be EIM compliant.
For information regarding the Diocese of Austin’s policies on Ethics and Integrity
in Ministry, and for training dates, please navigate to the EIM page at
www.austindiocese.org or contact the diocesan EIM Office at 512-949-2447.
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