• A Parents’ Guide to Building a Connected Classroom Community

    As parents/caregivers we can all be a part of helping to create a warm, inclusive, and supportive classroom community for our children at Toomer Elementary. Building relationships with other parents and your child’s teacher can create a network of support that enriches your child’s school experience, fosters friendships, and strengthens our school as a whole. Here are some ideas on how you can contribute to (and benefit from!) a welcoming, connected classroom community.

    1. Introduce Yourself Early (and Often)

    Making connections begins with a friendly introduction! Whether it’s at drop-off, pick-up, at a PTA meeting, school event, or PRIDE celebration, introducing yourself to other parents opens the door to positive relationships. Don’t be afraid to start with something simple: share your child’s name, mention a few things you love about the class or teacher (or school!), and ask about their family. Small connections grow into big support systems over time.

    2. Embrace and Celebrate Diversity

    At Toomer, families come from many backgrounds, cultures, family structures, and experiences, each bringing something special. Make an effort to get to know other families and show interest in their stories, traditions, and values. A respectful curiosity goes a long way in building understanding and friendships. 

    3. Support Classroom Events and Activities

    Attending IB showcases, class field trips, or other school events is a great way to meet other parents and strengthen classroom connections. If your schedule allows, volunteer to help at an event, chaperone a field trip, or simply be present at school activities when/if you can. Use that as an opportunity to talk to other parents and get to know them and their kids.

    Additionally, if you are able to volunteer or attend school events, consider sharing pictures or sharing memories/moments/observations with parents who aren’t able to be there so they can feel connected. This would be a great use for the Class Dojo chat!

    4. Participate in Class Dojo Chats

    Ask your child’s teacher if they are willing to set up a classroom chat in Class Dojo, if they haven’t already. If they need support in doing this, Ms. Clark can help. You can also ask your child’s teacher to enable “parent to parent” chats in Class Dojo as well so you can send a message to an individual parent. With Class Dojo chats set up, parents can reach out about homework questions, upcoming events, and casual meet-ups. They can help everyone to stay connected and informed throughout the school year. This is especially helpful for parents who can’t attend events during the school day.

    5. Share a Little of Yourself/Your Family

    Building a community means letting people get to know the real you! Share your unique interests, hobbies, or talents with the class. Whether it’s reading your family’s favorite picture book to the class, bringing a special snack for a holiday, or simply chatting about your family’s favorite weekend activities, these personal touches help foster trust and closeness within the group. 

    6. Organize or Attend Low-Cost Meetups

    Consider planning or attending a casual, low-cost (or free) gathering outside of school, like a park playdate. Hosting or joining a gathering gives parents and kids a chance to interact in a relaxed setting, which strengthens friendships and fosters connections. These gatherings can be as simple as meeting at a local park after school (Coan Park and Bessie Branham are great options) or on a weekend. 

    7. Practice and Encourage Empathy

    As you get to know other parents, keep in mind that everyone has unique challenges and experiences. Approach each interaction with empathy, understanding that each family is doing their best and there are many ways to be an involved parent and being present at school is just one of them. Let's encourage each other as we all offer support in different ways.

    8. Show Appreciation for Each Other

    A quick “thank you” or a note of appreciation goes a long way in strengthening connections. Recognize and appreciate the contributions of other parents, whether they’ve organized a playdate, helped with a school event, or offered a friendly chat. During those especially busy times of year (looking at you December and May), an encouraging group chat that says “we’ve got this” could really help make someone’s day. Gratitude builds a positive atmosphere where everyone feels motivated to contribute.