On Alpha we are proud of our established, structured, purposeful link to parents called Parent Council. The council meets with our teaching team, a couple of times each trimester, over dinner (5 - 6PM) to discuss what we are doing in the classroom and how parents can be included. Parents are a wonderful source of energy, ideas and support for our team. The council also helps to educate current and future parents on the learning style of our team and the traditions that we use to create a sense of community. They do this through parent forums that are held at strategic times throughout the year, a phone tree and a buddy system, where existing parents team with new parents to answer questions and provide insight into these components of learning.

            Our parents are more than just a nice addition to our team. They are a critical component. Without the tremendous support and involvement of our Parent Council we could not do all of the events that provide a rich learning environment and a strong sense of community for our team. This relationship directly benefits students. They get to be involved in wonderful activities such as the play and the camping trip which would not be possible without direct parent involvement. These activities create an atmosphere of teamwork and mutual respect that make teaching and learning on our team a powerful experience. Also, we utilize the best of our parent's skills. By having parents setup connections to the community, students are exposed to a wonderful spectrum of experiences. When parents help with projects like the quilt, these traditions can remain as part of the rich culture of the team. Parents are a critical component of Alpha. 

            To get involved in Parent Council, parents can attend our curriculum night where more information will be available. We are excited to welcome the new parents and Alpha families to join our Parent Council and be active in the activities that benefit their children. We have listed the committees and highlighted the three at the end, which are great for new parents that want to get involved in our team.

Committees:

• Communication: Coordinating Phone trees, Buddy System, Newsletters, Web Page and other ways that we can communicate with all the members of Alpha’s community.
• Finding Community Resources:  As we start our new themes, it would be great to know if there are resources in the community that can come in as experts to share with students.
• Quilt & Raffle:  Help coordinate and create the quilt. Then support students through the process of selling raffle tickets, with parent chaperones for ticket sales off site.
• Chaperones:  Helping coordinate and chaperone field trips and dances.
• Play Support:  We need help with sets, costumes, organizing after school rehearsal and making sure each child gets home safely. We also need parents sponsoring a cast party, and chaperones during rehearsals and the night of the play.
• In-school event support:  Help coordinate events during the school year such as the Blizzard Breakfast, involvement in academic projects.

November 8, 2010