With budget cuts being as they are, volunteering at your child’s school not only benefits your child, but the school system as well. Studies show that children whose parents participate in school activities are taking an interest in their child. The child feels special and has a sense of pride because their family is part of the school community. By taking the time to help out parents are connecting to their child’s world. Getting to know their friends, teachers and believe it’s important enough to get involved—those are powerful messages transmitted to the child.
Did you know there are many areas to get involved with at your child's education? What can you do in your child’s school? How do you go about volunteering?
The first step is to contact the school. Many schools already have a volunteer program in place and are just waiting for your call. There are volunteer positions available at all schools for the parents who have a few hours to give on a regular basis or a few hours only once in a while. These positions can also be found at most school, daycare centers and nursery school programs.
Regular Volunteer
Tutoring: Do you have a facility in Mathematics, French, Spanish, and/or English? Ranging from 1 to 4 hours a week, you’ll be matched with a child having difficulty in one or more of the core subjects. Most of the tutoring will be done after school hours. Patience, the ability to bring your points across in a clear fashion and an interest in the school subject will all facilitate the tutoring session.
Assisting: During school hours you can be an assistant to the school staff members. Many schools have developed a volunteer program that assists the teachers, ranging from the kindergarten level through to the sixth grade, or the Librarian in the Library. The general office can also benefit by having someone helping with the photocopies and other clerical work. Lunch programs also rely on volunteers to help with the lunch time supervision or the overload in the cafeteria.
Occasional Volunteer:
There are many activities that can use your help, time and hands on a part time basis.
Book Fairs/Bake Sales: Usually done during parents/teachers interviews, they raise funds for the school.
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