Room Parents

The Room Parent plays an important role in building a strong classroom community and serves as the primary link between the teacher, PATT, and classroom families. As a Room Parent, you'll help keep parents informed, coordinate volunteers, organize classroom celebrations, and support your teacher throughout the school year.

This is a rewarding opportunity to get involved, connect with other families, and help create a positive classroom experience for every student.

Primary Responsibilities

• Be a partner and advocate for your classroom teacher.

• Create and maintain a classroom roster and provide a copy to the Room Parent Liaison.

• Communicate weekly classroom and PATT updates to families.

• Coordinate classroom volunteers for activities, field trips, library visits, and other classroom needs.

• Organize classroom celebrations, including Holiday and End-of-Year parties.

• Coordinate voluntary collections for teacher supplies, classroom activities, and teacher appreciation gifts.

• Collect and upload classroom photos for the yearbook throughout the year.

• Coordinate parent volunteers for your classroom's designated Fall Festival booth.

What to Expect

How Do I Volunteer for Room Parent?

Interested in becoming a Room Parent? Let your teacher know at the beginning of the school year! Teachers will gather interest from families and select the Room Parent(s) who will support their classroom throughout the year. Room Parent(s) should be selected by Back to School Night (Aug 25, 2026).

Please note: All Room Parents must be approved LAUSD Volunteers.

Meet with the Room Parent Liaison

After being confirmed as Room Parent, you'll attend an orientation led by PATT's Room Parent Liaison scheduled on Monday, 8/31 @ 6 pm on Zoom (Meeting ID: 488 720 8320).

This meeting is especially helpful for first-time Room Parents and covers responsibilities, timelines, and available resources. Your Liaison will continue to support you throughout the year.

Two Room Parents?

Many classrooms choose to have two Room Parents. If so, we recommend designating one as the Lead Room Parent and dividing responsibilities at the beginning of the year. Clear roles help keep communication organized and ensure a smooth experience for both the teacher and classroom families.

Partner with Your Teacher

Early in the school year, meet with your teacher to discuss classroom expectations, volunteer opportunities, communication preferences, and classroom events. Regular check-ins throughout the year help ensure your teacher receives the support they need.

Detailed Responsibilities

Communicate with Families

Room Parents serve as the communication hub for the classroom by sharing important updates from the teacher and PATT.

We recommend:

• Creating an email distribution list (or email alias) using your classroom roster.

• Using BCC on all email communications to protect family privacy.

• Creating a class WhatsApp group to encourage communication among parents. (Teachers do not need to participate unless they choose to.)

You'll also be added to the 2026–2027 Room Parent WhatsApp Group to receive updates and resources from PATT.

Classroom Roster

At the beginning of the year, PATT will collect Classroom Roster information - we’ll roll over contact info from returning students and have new students complete the form. Once responses are collected, you'll receive the information using the provided template and submit it to the Room Parent Liaison.

Please note: Classroom roster information is confidential and may never be used for personal business, marketing, or solicitation.

Classroom Volunteers

Each classroom has unique volunteer needs throughout the year. Room Parents help coordinate volunteers for classroom activities, field trips, library visits, special projects, and other events as requested by the teacher.

Each class will also be assigned a week to support our morning valet program, helping ensure students arrive safely at school.

Teacher Appreciation & Classroom Funds

Room Parents coordinate optional class contributions for teacher appreciation and classroom needs throughout the year.

These may include:

• Teacher birthday

• Holiday gift

• End-of-year gift

• Teacher Appreciation Week

• Classroom supplies or special projects

• Teacher & Staff Lounge Snack Rotation (optional)

PATT provides a "Teacher Favorites" questionnaire that can be shared with classroom families to make gift giving more personal.

When collecting contributions:

• We recommend using Venmo or Zelle whenever possible.

• Keep accurate records of all donations and expenses.

• Be transparent with families by sharing how funds were used.

Please note:

• LAUSD prohibits cash gifts to employees.

• Gift cards are permitted.

• Gifts from a single source may not exceed LAUSD gift limits.

Yearbook Photos

Help us capture classroom memories!

Room Parents are encouraged to regularly upload classroom photos to the designated Yearbook Google Drive folder and encourage other parents to contribute as well. The more photos submitted throughout the year, the better we can showcase your class in the yearbook. For more info, visit https://www.mypatt.org/yearbook-photos

Fall Festival

Each Room Parent helps coordinate volunteers for their classroom's assigned Fall Festival booth. This is one of WHECES' biggest community events and a wonderful opportunity for families to get involved.

Important Reminders

• Room Parents and recurring classroom volunteers must be LAUSD-approved volunteers before volunteering on campus.

• All volunteers and visitors must sign in and sign out through the main office before entering campus during school hours.

• Siblings may not accompany Room Parents or volunteers into the classroom during volunteer hours.

• Classroom roster information must remain confidential and may not be used for personal business or solicitation.

Interested in Becoming a Room Parent?

We'd love to have you join us!

Feel free to express interest to your teacher, or contact PATT's Room Parent Liaison at whecesroomparents@gmail.com with any questions!