FAQ

A Parent Mentor goes into the classroom and mentor the students in the making process. This role consists of (1) establishing rapport with the students, (2) providing instructions or guidance on project making, (3) sharing your skills and knowledge about the project or process, (4) providing emotional support and encouragement when challenges arise, (5) celebrating efforts and successes, and (6) being a positive role model.

A small group training will take place prior to your first Cart Day and will focus on the following: (1) the safety use and care of materials in the supply room and classrooms, and (2) how to encourage and execute the three tenets of our program, gather-collaborate-make.

Ideally, you’d sign up for the entire school year. This is to give the students a sense of familiarity and continuity with their mentors all year round. And quite frankly, it’s easier for the Program Leads if there are less turn overs. However, we acknowledge that life happens so if you must leave the program after a few months or so, we totally get it. We just ask that you give us, your teacher, or co-Parent Mentor (if you have one) enough time to plan for this to ensure that the students don’t miss any Cart Days in the future due to the change.

Definitely! In compliance with California Education Code Section 35021 and Board Policy 1240, all school volunteers are required to be fingerprinted and TB tested — and cleared — prior to volunteering. You only need to be fingerprinted once, and your TB test is good for 4 years. So if you’ve been fingerprinted before and had your TB test done in the last 4 years, the office should have your clearance and you’re good to go! Otherwise, please visit the district’s website here for more information.

No, you don’t have to. If there are other Parent Mentors in the classroom, you are welcome to alternate as often as you wish. We put this in place to give the parents a break when they need to.

Well, of course you can! Again, we acknowledge that we all have responsibilities outside the classroom so if you need to take a break, go for it. Program materials have been budgeted and ordered based on the number of classrooms and students so the materials are there for when you come back. You can totally skip a month, or make it up the following month.

Your Cart Day will depend on two things: the teacher’s schedule/plan for the class and your schedule. Please make sure that you work closely with your teacher in arranging your Cart Day.

No. Our school PTO generously funded our pilot year (2019-2020 academic year) so all of the materials that we are using this year have been funded.

Yes, at least for the most part. All of the materials have been budgeted and ordered based on these pre-planned projects. However, you are more than welcome to modify them to accommodate your makers (the students), as long as you don’t use too much of the same materials as this will cause shortages for the other classrooms.

While we are okay with project modifications, classroom funds are allocated by teacher discretion so please check in with your teacher first.

While we want all students to utilize and benefit from this program, we cannot require all students to participate. Again, this is an extra curricular activity and not part of the school curriculum so students who wish to opt out are free to do so. Just inform the teacher which students are opting out so they could be assigned a task while the cart session is in progress.

Once you’ve discussed with your child’s teacher the day and time of your Cart Day, go to Events > Calendar to schedule your Cart Day.

If this happens, chances are, you haven’t been given permission to make changes to our calendar. So make sure that you email us at scemakerspace@gmail.com to let us know that you’re a Parent Mentor. On the email, please include your full name, child’s name, teacher’s name, room number, and a valid email address.

You bet! We have tons of behind-the-scenes volunteer opportunities for all parents. Besides being in the classroom as a Parent Mentor, you can help as a Co-Program Lead, Project Lead, Volunteer Coordinator, or Fundraising Coordinator. Talk with us and we can discuss how to best utilize your skills and availability.

Please email us at scemakerspace@gmail.com.