Blue Heron has many different ways for parents to get involved in their child's school or classroom. Your kids will get to know their peers and school staff outside of pencils, notebooks, and homework. The below items are just the main ways to do this but, please, reach out to the PTA board or the front office staff if you have other ideas.
Opportunities throughout the Year
Our events don't run themselves and require the involvement of several families to run smoothly. Our major events for the year are listed below as well as smaller opportunities to assist.
Fall Festival: parent volunteers to help run the games or donate prizes, set-up and take down
Winter Wonderland and Holiday Shop: parent volunteers to help set up, help kids navigate the shop, serve cocoa/cider
Chinese New Year/Celebration of Cultures: We will need families of all cultures to volunteer to set up a table in the hallway of the school and showcase something special about their culture (dress, food, craft, dance, music, architecture). We align this event with Chinese New Year and will highlight this celebration during the event.
Spring Festival: parent volunteers to help run the games or donate prizes, set-up and take down
All breakfast events: pick-up 2 carafes of coffee and help set-up
Gift wrapping in December: come to the library for an hour during or after-school to wrap gifts for families. This opportunity will be ongoing throughout the month of December so pick one or several days to help
Treat Tuesday
This is a Blue Heron tradition. Every Tuesday during the school year we aim to provide the teachers and staff with snacks or donuts or treats. This is our way of showing appreciation throughout the year to our staff. We have approximately 60 staff on hand daily. If you would like to pick a Tuesday to bring in some goodies please sign-up here.
Watch D.O.G.S.
Want to spend the day (or a few hours) at your child’s school being a positive role model for the Blue Heron students?
What is WATCH D.O.G.S.® (Defenders Of Great Students)?
Watch DOGS help to provide an extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying. WATCH D.O.G.S. (Defenders Of Great Students) is an innovative parental involvement, educational initiative of the National Center for Fathering. Learn more about WATCH D.O.G.S. here.
Click Here to save your slot for the 2023/24 School year! A great day to pick is on or around your student’s birthday!
Who are Watch DOGS and how does WATCH D.O.G.S. work?
Watch DOGS are fathers, grandfathers, uncles, mothers, grandmothers and aunts moms who volunteer for at least one day each year at an official WATCH D.O.G.S. school. Watch the video below and see firsthand how this program works at schools just like Blue Heron.
Room Parent
Hello Blue Heron Grade Parents,
Thank you for volunteering to be a grade parent for your child’s class for the 2023-24 school year. Grade parents play an integral part in the communication between teachers and parents throughout the school year. Below you will find information that will help you fulfill the room parent duties. Please let the PTA board know if you have any questions.
Please click here for a list of the grade parents for this year. (coming soon)
Responsibilities of Grade Parent
Important to note: Though parents will have already provided their email address to the school during the registration process, they still need to expressly release that information to you for classroom communications. Please let parents know that, if they choose not to provide an email address, they may not receive important classroom information. Parents may sign up at Back to School Night or the classroom teacher may send an email on your behalf asking for permission.
Grade Parent Responsibilities: May include but are not limited to:
1. Act as a liaison between the classroom parents and the PTA. It is helpful to attend PTA general meetings when possible.
2. Act as an activities coordinator for all celebrations in the classroom and provide information between the teacher and classroom parents.
3. Maintain a positive working relationship with the teacher.
4. Coordinate volunteers as requested for classroom activities and instruction.
5. Coordinate volunteers for classroom events.
*The PTA does not cover the cost of food or supplies used for classroom parties or special event.
**Each classroom may have more than one room parent. Parents can act as co-room parents, with all room parents taking on the responsibility of representing the PTA.
Documents: 1. Blue Heron Room Parent Handbook 2. Blue Heron Room Parent Checklist 3. Guidelines Regarding Food for School Parties/Celebrations 4. Teacher Favorite Things 5. Room Parent Contact Spreadsheet
Please contact us at pta.blueheronelementary@gmail.com if you have any questions!
Volunteer of the Month
The Blue Heron PTA Board recognizes a Volunteer(s) of the Month (VOM) for each month of the school year. A spotlight of the Volunteer of the Month will appear in the newsletter and website. They will receive a PTA pin and have access to the share parking spot with Watch D.O.G.S for the month.
Volunteers of the Month for the 2023-2024 School Year
August: Haley Waind and Sabrina Pellerin January:
September: February:
October: March:
November: April:
December: May:
Blue Heron Elementary is fortunate to have a very active and involved community. Many of our volunteers silently raise their hands to support the school in many ways – from the classroom to our special community events. The PTA would like to acknowledge the efforts and impact our volunteers make throughout the year. If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to our school and has had a positive impact through his/her volunteer efforts during this month, please email them to pta@blueheronpta.org for a chance to recognize their efforts. The board will vote on the VOM for the previous month at the next board meeting.
If you would like to get involved in the upcoming Blue Heron PTA community events, we would love to have you!