3. ☕ Be organized about parent socials.
Looking to build parent community? Organize a morning parent coffee gathering date on the day of the month that corresponds to graduating classes. For example, this year's graduating class would get together on the 25th of the month. If you're in a K-12, this year's 11th grade would get together on the 26th of the month, etc.
Once you get to graduating class years above 31, go back to single digits. So the class of 2032 would meet on the 2nd of the month.
"But Miriam, that's a lot of coffee for me!" You don't have to go to every parent coffee. This is a great task for an energetic parent ambassador or room parent. Help them set it up once, and then deploy them. To get them started, give them a prompt question or topic to get conversation going. But this is not your rodeo. Let the parents connect without school professionals there.
Bonus points: The parent coffees become a school tradition, and give you a compelling response to the parent ask “So what's the parent community like? How can I make connections?” People like things that are organized and predictable. Having a ready-made opportunity to meet other parents that makes good calendar sense is a dream.
