The role and general responsibilities of parent class representatives

There are two parent class representatives per class and they can share out tasks according to their personal interests. Parent class representatives are important links for information and representation purposes, as well as contact points for parents.
By working together Parent class representatives can create a solid basis for life in the class. The organisation of get-togethers with the families of the class means that parents get to know one another. This climate of trust has a positive effect on the students and their schooling.

One of the Parent class representatives must forward e-mails received from the Parents’ Association (PA) and the school when necessary. Parent class representatives must therefore obtain parents contact information (at a meeting or via agendas). This list must be kept up-to-date. The school and the Parents’ Association are not at present allowed to provide parents’ contact information.

Please remind parents that they can find answers to their questions on:
- the school web site www.eskar.org  (information, calendars, etc.)
- the European Schools’ website www.eursc.org  (school programmes, statutes, etc.)
- the Parents’ Association website www.esk-eltern.de 

By establishing personal contacts with teachers Parent class representatives can raise questions, ideas and problems directly with them. They may suggest a meeting with a teacher during his or her set timetable hour to get to know him or her and then when they need to deal with an important question together contact will be easier.

The Parents’ Association Committee will contact the Parent class representatives before each Education Board meeting for input of parents’ questions on everyday matters and the school’s educational projects.

Parent class representatives may organise activities relating to your class and section (sponsors, events, meetings with teachers, inspectors, etc.)

If a parent class representative has not been able to sort out serious matters relating to teaching or contents of the syllabus in your class with the teacher, they may get in touch with the Section Representative or a member of the PA committee.

If Parent class representatives receive questions on a specific subject (school trips, transport, health and safety, canteen, etc.) from parents, please forward them to the PA.
The Parents’ Association President, and deputies can be contacted by the Parent class representatives on any policy, teaching, administrative or social matter which has not been possible to sort out at class or section level. Likewise, it is the duty of the President to assist and inform any family that needs to defend its rights.

To avoid misunderstanding and frustration for parents and the school when handling  sensitive information, the PA looks for solutions that are in the best interest of all parties involved. So please have a serious look at the following information.
 
What to do if:
a parent informs you that there is a specific problem concerning their child in a class? This problem is specific to this child.
 
Recommendation:
Advise the parent to speak directly to the teacher of the class/subject. You, as parent class rep can also attend for support if the parent wishes it.  If the parents are not satisfied with the outcome of the meeting, then they should speak to the deputy-director about the issue. If there is still no acceptable solution, then the parent should approach the PA for assistance, advice and support. The details of the situation will be kept in strict confidence.
 
What to do if:
a parent informs you that there is a problem concerning their child in a class and this impacts other children as well?
 
Recommendation:
Speak privately with the parents of the children involved in an informal way (not by email) and try to assess the seriousness of the situation.
Arrange a meeting with the parents involved and the class/subject teacher to discuss the issues and to try to find a solution agreeable to all.
If this is not successful, inform the PA of the situation and suggest that a meeting with the deputy-head may be needed. If the issues are not resolved easily, the PA can support the parents and have the matter discussed within a management meeting.
 
What to do if:
a number of parents inform you that there is a serious problem concerning the whole class in some way?
 
Recommendation:
Ask the parents individually if they are aware of the situation or if they support the complaint. This should be done sensitively and emails and other written communication should be avoided. As parent class rep you should compile the responses of the parents in your class and inform your sectionrep that an issue has arisen concerning the class as a whole. The PA will advise on how to proceed and will also approach the deputy-head and or school management with the concerns of the parents. This will ensure confidentiallity, and avoid misunderstanding. The matter can be dealt with quickly and quietly, so that pupils are unaffected and can continue with their study programme.
 
At all times the parent class rep will be kept involved by the PA so that parents are aware of the progress of any issues that arise.
 
The PA are very happy with the way all parent class reps take their role very seriously and are pleased that the feedback they get from parents in their class contributes hugely to the good communication and positive development of the school. The PA respects all information from parents and at all times will respond in absolute confidence if necessary.

Parent class representatives are elected by the parents in their class at the first parents’ evening of the new school year. The school passes the complete list of parent class representatives email addresses to the Parents’ Association. Language section representatives are selected from the new PA committee members after the Annual General Assembly at the first meeting of the PA committee.

Parent class representatives should participate in the Parents’ Association Annual General Assembly in the Autumn term when all parents are invited. If Parent class representatives are not able to attend, please they must remember to nominate another parent as proxy.

An European school is not a self-governing body. It comes under a system run by the Board of Governors of the European schools, the majority of its teachers are sent and organised by national inspectors and its buildings are made available and run by the host country (in our case Germany). Much patience is therefore needed when dealing with certain matters that cannot be handled at local level (marking, syllabuses, European hours, etc.).

To deal with matters that go beyond local competence, the Parents’ Association belongs to Interparents, which brings together the Parents’ Associations of the 14 European schools. That is where issues and proposals for submission to the Board of Governors for consideration are formulated.

Parent class representatives are the first link in the chain to encourage parents into making a positive contribution to life at the school.

Your Parents’ Association
November 2009