Required Time
At FMPS parents and guardians are required to participate in the life of the school by completing at least twelve (12) hours of volunteer time per child during the school year. For most families this is a simple task, easily completed.
Often we are asked what we can do to fulfill our commitment. The following are someways to volunteer at FMPS and complete Time and Talent.
Here are some suggestions for ways to get involved:
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Work on the Go Green Committee.
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Take care of classroom pets on a weekly basis, cleaning cages or changing aquarium water.
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Help us problem-solve our computer glitches.
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Help us fix and maintain our furniture and equipment.
What dosen’t constitute “Time and Talent?” The following events are NOT consideredTime and Talent.
Attending a special event such as a harvest party or donuts for dads event
Record keeping In order to keep track of Time and Talent hours
We have created a self tracking system. The volunteer or Coop hours record of hours for each child is kept in our computer at sign in just log in under volunteer or Coop.
Periodically FMPS updates the tally of the hours and notifies each family.
Opportunities for Parents
Parent Involvement
We like to have our parents involved with running the school. This gives an opportunity for parents to help with the education of their child.
- Representative on the School Board- Responsible for attending a monthly meeting to discuss various aspects of procedures, goals, planning, etc. of the Preschool.
- Fund Raising- The Preschool holds fund raising projects during the school year. The intent of these events is to provide equipment as needed to improve our facilities. The responsibility of this committee is to plan these fund raising events.
- Connection Thursday organizer- The Preschool holds a Connection Thursday (Family Night) for parents each month. The responsibility of this person is to organize a group to help set up, serve, and clean up the food for this event.
Parent visitation and observation
Parents may feel free to observe a child’s class at any time. There is no need to call for an appointment. The staff at FMPS Preschool wants everyone to feel welcome at anytime. We greatly encourage parent involvement. However, we ask that when coming in to observe, that you confer with the teacher before the class begins.
SUGGESTIONS FOR OBSERVATION
- Take your belongings to the room in which you are observing; you may put them in the cabinet, so the children won’t be able to get into them.
- If there are two or more observers in the room, it is better to separate, so that conversation with each other is limited, giving more attention to the children.
Please remember that you are in the class as an assistant please limit personal talk with the teacher. They will react better if you are on their level, sitting on a chair or sitting on the floor, rather than standing.
- Feel free to schedule a conference to ask the teacher any questions concerning your child; be sure the child being discussed is not around or able to hear the discussion. Ask questions when the teacher is free to talk.
- In order for you to gain as much as possible from your observation, the teacher may ask you to be of help- this will help the children, you, and the teacher. The teacher, in all instances, will take the initiative and the observer will follow her suggestions, interacting with the children only when they reach out to you.
- Report all injuries (even slight) to the teacher. Report to the teacher any situations of danger that you see.
- The Admin. Team will always be available at your convenience. We are here to assist you in any way possible.
- Be natural with and enjoy the children they can teach us a lot.
- Please feel free to ask the teacher any questions or concerns you may have during this time.
- The teachers are here to teach, keep the children safe, and are here for the parents as well. It is important to us that you feel comfortable with your child’s environment at the school. Please feel free to talk to us about any concerns.
