|
|
PRO Center...Parent Resource and Opportunity Center |
|
Did you Know?Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
A PRO Center is short for Parent Resource & Opportunity Center. Why do we have a PRO Center at our school? In 2005, RRISD received a federal grant from the Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services. This combination grant, the Safe Schools Healthy Students Grant, has provided valuable resources to our schools. Part of the money from this grant was used to install the Raptor identification system in each school which allows our school to run a criminal background check on all visitors who enter our school. When you enter our school for the first time, our office staff runs your driver's license through the Raptor system. The system will then identify anyone convicted of sex crimes against children and alert our office staff. Once your driver's license identification has been entered into the system, you are then able to type your name into a computer in the office each time you enter our school. The system prints out an id sticker for yourself to wear while you are inside of our building. Everyone inside of our school must wear that id sticker so that we are able to keep our students safe. The SSHS grant also funded a PRO Center at each school. Dr. Chavez, superintendent for RRISD, wants all parents to feel welcome in our schools. Studies have proven time and again that involved and engaged parents result in higher student achievement. We're bridging the gap between home and school through the PRO Center. The PRO Center is specifically designed to provide parents with educational opportunities, resources for times when they need help, and a host of volunteer opportunities. In RRISD, our parents are integral to the success of our students. While teachers affect the students directly through instruction, the PRO Center and Parent Support Specialist helps the students indirectly by helping the families. Assisting families allows families to then better help their children. We are a village! What can I do in the PRO Center? Here are just a few ideas... ~Stuff Tuesday folders for your child's teacher ~Trace and cut items for a teacher ~Meet with other parents and share parenting successes and struggles ~Computer access...we have 2 computers specifically for parents to use! ~Watch morning announcements, especially when your child is leading the school in the Pledge of Allegiance! ~Read the latest issue of Connect with Kids research articles ~Host grade level Room Leader meetings ~Learn how to shelve library books...the library is always needing volunteers! ~Check out parenting books and videos...we have our own parenting library. ~Bring along your preschooler, toddler, or infant...educational toys are important for them too! ~Learn about volunteer opportunities at our school...there is always a need to fill! ~Access vital resources within our community, many of which are free, that meet your family's specific needs. ~Sign up for educational workshops that interest you...financial, TAKS testing, support groups, etc. If you have an idea for a topic that interests you, please use the suggestion box located in the PRO Center. I will locate guest speakers and arrange a seminar if we have enough interest. ~Host a monthly play group for your preschooler and soon-to-be Pond Springs Pioneer! ~Coffee and chit-chat ~English classes for parents whose first language is not English These are just a FEW ideas!!!!! What are the rules in the PRO Center? ~We ask that all parents sign in on the sign-in sheet when they enter the PRO Center. List the time that you enter and leave. We also ask that you let us know why you were there...coffee? preschool play? teacher work? computer? resource check? ~We also ask that every parent entering the PRO Center with their young child makes sure that their child washes their hands BEFORE playing with the toys. As sweet as infants, toddlers, and preschoolers are...they also share germs really easily! In an effort to cut down on germ sharing, we insist that every child's hands be cleaned BEFORE they begin to play in the toy area. Handwashing really does make a tremendous difference in the health of all of our children! ~Along those same lines, please do not bring your young child into the PRO Center to play if they are sick. We would love for your to visit on healthy days! ~Never leave a child in the PRO Center unattended. You are responsible for your child. The PRO Center is not to be used as a babysitter. ~Please clean up your area before you leave the PRO Center. Others coming in to play or work behind you will appreciate it!!! ~In the event of an emergency while you are in the PRO Center, please see the emergency procedures posted near the doorway. ~Please keep in mind that we do have a classroom right next door to us so the noise level in our PRO Center needs to be kept to a minimum. If your young child becomes upset/unruly, please visit the PRO Center another time. THANK YOU for following these rules!!! |
|
