Being a STAR Parent
What are my responsibilities as a STAR Parent?
The success of STAR depends in large part on the active involvement of the parents. Parents are encouraged to help in all aspects of STAR including coordinating classes, assisting with daily class setup and cleanup, supervising children during non-class times both inside and outside the building, and contributing to the STAR community by interacting with other parents and welcoming new families or even serving as a STAR administrator. Parents are also asked to support the instructors and STAR administrators by bringing up any concerns or questions as soon as possible to make the experience at STAR a positive one for all.
Am I required to complete volunteer hours or duties?
As a community, STAR’s activities are entirely powered by volunteers. There is much work to be done but it can be done easily if we all help out. All STAR families are required to participate in at least two volunteer teams/tasks per semester (minus one volunteer role per class taught, if you are instructing; or only one job if you are registered for only one class). Families who do not participate in volunteer roles may not be invited back to STAR in future semesters. The Family Volunteer Role matrix (on the registration page) has details about each volunteer task. Contact the volunteer coordinator if you have a limitation of any kind that would prevent you from performing your assigned volunteer job or would like to take on an additional job that could benefit STAR. You will be notified of your volunteer teams/tasks at or before Opening Day.
Are parents required to stay at STAR during the day?
Yes, parents are required to stay at STAR. If a parent is not able to be at STAR they may designate another adult to be responsible for their children. If this adult is a relative, etc who will routinely be your substitute please include them on your family forms and let an administor know. If your absence is very brief and you are designating another STAR parent to be your substitute, please fill out the Parent Sign-Out Sheet.
STAR is more than just a homeschool class opportunity for our children. STAR is a place for families to build community and gain support for issues related to raising and homeschooling highly gifted children. And even better, the STAR Parent Room is always filled with laughter (and occasionally chocolate).
How can I communicate with other STAR parents outside of STAR?
This website has a forum, where you can post information about gatherings or field trips, curriculum questions, or anything that you think might interest other STAR families.
This website also has a directory which lists all families who have consented to share their information. Feel free to contact your child’s friends outside of STAR.
What if I am ill or have an emergency or appointment?
We recognize that there may be days when a parent may not be able to stay at STAR with their child. If you are unable to remain in the building you must arrange for another adult to be responsible for your children for both emergency and behavior issues. You (or your chosen proxy) must put that information on the Parent Sign-Out Sheet.
May I sit in my child’s class?
STAR has an open door policy. Parents may sit in and observe any class at STAR. We ask that you do so quietly and not disrupt the class. It is important that the primary voice in the room be that of the instructor.
Sometimes a child might struggle with behavior, emotions, etc during class. In such a case, the instructor might find it helpful to have the parent or another helper present in the room. Contact the instructor if you have any questions or concerns.
In order to protect the integrity of STAR classes for all participants, younger unregistered siblings are not allowed to participate in classes. If you are observing your child’s class or attending to provide extra support for your enrolled child, then it is your responsibility to make sure the younger sibling does not become a distraction to the classroom environment or to make sure that the younger sibling is in the care of another adult during the class so that you may observe or provide support quietly.