Room moms are the critical liaison between the teacher and class parents. Responsibilities vary from collecting classroom supplies and field trip fees, to recruiting parent volunteers and coordinating classroom parties. Get a head start on the school year with a room parent-teacher meeting, so you can start prepping for the year to come. Here's a checklist of things to run by the teacher.

Teacher Contact Information

Figure out how the teacher prefers to be contacted by you and other class parents. For example, does she prefer email, text or by phone? 

Class Parent Communication

Create and distribute a class roster and contact email list. Remember to be mindful of school communication policies. Verify the existence of a class web page, blog, Pinterest or Facebook page and figure out who keeps it up to date. And check with the school on policies and expectations for ongoing communication with parents.

Parent Involvement and Volunteer Needs

Determine the different needs of the classroom throughout the year, for example, ongoing parent volunteer needs, one-time parent support needs, special needs for class enrichment and at-home involvement.

Materials and Supplies

Figure out what the teacher needs that she possibly would have to pay out of her own pocket and find areas that the parents could possibly help. For example, providing things like facial tissues, anti-bacterial wipes and art supplies. Take advantage of VolunteerSpot’s free online sign up sheets to ask for donations of materials and supplies.

Class Party and Celebration Dates

To keep a grasp on upcoming party plans in the classroom, make a list of how many parties there will be throughout the year, who will plan them, food requirements, allergy considerations and policies about photographing kids. 

Class Calendar 

Create an online calendar of all events and volunteer needs for the year. VolunteerSpot's free sign-up sheets and scheduler will allow you to ask parents for help at the start of the year for ongoing support and class events throughout the year. It's much easier for parents to make commitments in September, than it is to recruit helpers in May when parent schedules have already filled up.