BE A CLASS PARENT

• Help maintain the HWISPA NJ community in WhatsApp, our primary means for sending out reminders and updates:

  1. Manage membership in the  class group chat and pass along school info, HWISPA announcements, and reminders.

  2. Participate in the class parents group to receive reminders, share ideas, and ask questions.

• Plan and coordinate (only) two class parties with fellow parent(s) and your homeroom teacher — one before winter break (Winter Holiday) and one at the end of the school year (End-of-Year).

• Help your homeroom teacher communicate classroom needs  to your class and recruit parent volunteers when needed.

• Help families in your class get to know each other outside of school when possible. Past examples include playground meetups, language playgroups, group activities, and group trips on weekends.

Anyone with a child enrolled at HudsonWay! It is a great way to get involved, get to know your teacher and the school, and meet new people. There are no term limits and new and returning parents are all welcome to pitch in.

If you have the will and skill to manage more than one class, you will not be stopped. However, note that class parties for preschool and elementary students are scheduled for the same time so strong recruiting and delegating abilities are prerequisites. Most parents of HWIS siblings alternate between their kids' classes year to year or choose whichever class has the bigger need.

Each class party is scheduled 2:30-3:30PM and preparing for them can take as much or as little time as you have to give. Ideally each class has at least TWO class parents (preferably, one per grade for combined classes) to help share the work. The best part is you can do most of the work on your own schedule!

Yes, each class is allocated funds based on the number of children enrolled in the class on the date of the party. HWISPA officers will release the numbers (following a budget review) at an orientation meeting for all class parents. Follow these instructions for reimbursements. For teacher appreciation gifts at the start of the winter holiday and end of the school year, one class parent will be designated to receive and distribute the cash/checks/gift cards to their respective homeroom teacher and teaching assistants.

Your responsibilities as class parent do not require that you alone do it all. Parent participation is encouraged and you are welcome to delegate to other parent volunteers. For example, you may be the one to coordinate the class party agenda with your child's homeroom teacher but another parent might deliver and present the party treats and games - that is okay as long as the party happens!

Your responsibilities as class parent do not require that you alone do it all. Parent participation is encouraged and you are welcome to delegate to other parent volunteers. For example, you may be the one to coordinate the class party agenda with your child's homeroom teacher but another parent might deliver and present the party treats and games — that is okay as long as the party happens!

September 12, 2025