Have you had your turn to wear the red apron yet? We are very excited to have you join us in the classroom on your assisting day. In the very beginning of the school year, assisting feels very different, as there are many parents in the classroom. As the number of parents remaining with us begins to thin, this experience begins to shift.
Assisting can only be done by a parent. This is a time to share your child’s school experience, witness how the class operates and come to know your child’s peers. For children, these days can bring heightened emotions as they face excitement about having a parent with them in addition to some uncertainty about the changes that come with assisting. This means that in addition to smiles, there may be some tears. Children approach these days in unique ways. Some may wish to spend every minute with you or even cling to you, while others may prefer to play independently or not seem to notice that you are present. This is all fine! Try to follow your child’s lead and be prepared to support them in whatever way they need. Teachers are here to help, so don’t hesitate to get us if you’re feeling stuck.
If you are able, please do share play with other children, put names on paintings, help children get smocks on and paintings to the drying rack. If you encounter any situations that you are unsure how to handle, let teachers know, we’ll be happy to step in! Teachers will help children in the bathroom, so please let us know if you notice a child other than your own who needs to use it.
On your assisting day, we ask that you come about 20 minutes early and bring the snack. Because of allergies, our snack list is very specific, and teachers will check to make sure the items you bring are on it. For the same reason, we are very specific about where snack is stored and prepped. In order to prevent allergen exposure, we only use the section of the kitchen that is designated for our classroom. Please also take dish bins directly to the sink rather than setting them on countertops in other areas of the kitchen.
After you arrive, teachers will help you get started on snack prep and will show you how to set tables for snack. When office staff open the doors for arrival, we will typically ask you to greet children and help them enter the classroom. When the class goes downstairs for gym, you will remain in the classroom to clean tables and set up the snack. Your child may prefer to stay with you or accompany us to the gym, either way is fine.
Your child may wish to wear the red helping apron, or they may not. Whatever is comfortable for them is fine with us, but we ask that you wear one so that children can identify you as the helper.
We ask that you not use your cellphone or take photos during class time. If you must take a call, please let us know that you need to step out of the room. We are happy to take photos of you and your child in your red aprons either before or after class, when other children are not present.
On this day, you are part of our team in the classroom. At school, you might witness challenging behaviors from children. This is to be expected as children become accustomed to group life. We ask that you respect each family’s privacy and not share difficult moments that you witness in the classroom.
At the end of the day, we ask the assisting parent to stay and complete a few classroom chores after dismissal. We will guide you through them and have them listed in the classroom. If you need support in completing these tasks, we are happy to help.
No matter how your assist day goes, it will offer insight into your child’s approach to school, how the classroom operates and the other children. We deeply value your presence in the classroom and look forward to partnering with you in this way!