Q. When did St. Monica first institute a parent service requirement?
A. It was studied and discussed by the St. Monica School Commission during the 1997-1998 school year, and implemented for the first time during the 1998-1999 school year. The most recent update goes into effect for the 2010-2011 school year.
Q. Why do you need a formal policy about parent involvement?
A. Parent involvement has always been a hallmark of our school and we firmly feel that our school is not complete without this component. Financially, our tuition would be much higher without the dedicated commitment of our families to provide many of the services that make our school run efficiently and provide unique, one-of-a-kind educational opportunities for our students. So that everyone was clear about expectations and the benefits of involvement, we felt we needed to put them in writing. There are many studies that support the feelings we have here at St. Monica that our parents being involved does make a difference in our children’s education. We feel this requirement not only helps to continue to make our programs possible, but enriches your children as well.
Q. What exactly is required?
A. The original policy required our families to be involved in a minimum of 28 service hours during the school fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). Many of you already meet and surpass this service requirement. There are several activities (such as serving as a member of the PTO board or School Commission, coaching, being a scout leader, serving as a parent coordinator, etc.) that meet 25 service hours. (These activities already require the presence of the individuals at least monthly). There are also many opportunities for work outside of school hours for those who find it nearly impossible to be at school during the normal school day.
Q. Did you tell us about this? I’d forgotten about it if you did!
A. When parents register each January for the coming school year, there is information about the policy, and why it was instituted on their registration form. When completing the registration form, parents acknowledging that they are aware of the policy, and indicate what service areas interest them.
Q. Do other schools ask parents to make a commitment to service?
A. Across the country, a number of them do make service to, and involvement in, school activities a requirement. Families transferring from other schools often ask about whether we have a service policy.
Q. Okay, give me the basics. How do I get my service activities recorded?
A. When you do something helpful for your school (a project for a teacher, act as a field trip chaperone, serve on a committee, help with an event, work at Market Day, etc.), fill out a Parent Service Hour Form. Please don’t be shy. If we’re holding you accountable for helping, we need to be accountable for recording your service- beyond just saying thanks. The person who ultimately must know of your activities is our greeter, Sharon Hostetter. She records activities on the computer, so she needs the information. So, if what you do for us doesn’t actually involve being at school (for example, if you cut out letters or tally book club orders for a teacher, at home), just send a note to the school office, to Mrs. Hostetter’s attention. If you’re a coach or a scout leader, be sure to send us a note so that we can make sure you’re credited for that. We may be well aware of what you’re doing, but we need the reminder note so that your service is credited and acknowledged.
Family Service Hour Reporting Form
Q. How will I know that your records match mine?
A. Each quarter, we will send out notices in the report cards, to let you know of what involvement we’ve received written notification about. Once you’ve reached 28 hours or more (bless you), we will not include a note in the report card. (However, we will remain eternally grateful, and your reward in heaven will be great!)
Q. What if our records don’t match?
A. Unfortunately, that is bound to happen as we “perfect” our system. Just let us know, and we’ll work with you. Thanks for your patience.
Q. Can we communicate about this electronically?
A. Sure! Send an email to s.hostetter@smsindy.org at our smsindy.org address to have your questions answered or service recorded.
