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Whether you have a few hours a day or only an hour or two a month, volunteering in your kids’ school is beneficial for your kids, for YOU, and for the school. In fact, I even pay to volunteer. (Read why here.)
All schools and teachers are different. Some are open to parents volunteering; others are a little more closed off. If you’re looking for ways to get involved and volunteer in your kids’ school, here are some ideas to get you thinking —
Ways a Parent can Volunteer in their Children’s School
Volunteer In the Classroom
- Attend open house events in your child’s classroom
- Come into class for your child’s birthday or start student presentation
- Grade papers
- Update bulletin boards
- Plan class parties
- Read aloud to the kids
- Become a reading buddy or lead/supervise small group reading circles
- Work one on one with a student – tutoring, editing, math facts, etc.
- Help edit in writer’s workshop
- Lead a class “center”
- Chaperone field trips
- Run photocopies or do the laminating for the teacher
- Prepare crafts, science projects or other materials
- Pull library books for special units
- Help with class art projects
- Cover books
- Organize the classroom library
- Disinfect classroom chairs and desks
- Sharpen pencils, toss old markers, and sort broken crayons
- Help students with make-up work
- Monitor computer work during small group time
- Compile Friday folders
Volunteer In the School
- Assist in an extracurricular activity – whether it’s an athletic club, music club, art club, or others, these staff leaders are usually in need of volunteers
- Help out with a club – student council, yearbook committee, clean team, or others
- Join the PTO and help plan and pull-off school-wide events
- Participate in an annual event – does your child’s school host a yearly fun run, auction, or clothing swap? Give some time to pull it off, or if nothing else, attend the event.
- Supervise recess or the lunchroom
- Referee after-school games or activities
- Run the snack bar or admissions table at events
- Serve hot lunch
- Help in the library
- Help in the school garden
- Throw a teacher/staff appreciation lunch
- Direct traffic at drop off or pick up
- Volunteer with a “specials” teacher who usually doesn’t have an aide or assistant to prepare upcoming projects
Volunteer In the District
- Monitor the bus stop
- Organize a “walking school bus” where kids meet at designated spots to walk or bike to school accompanied by adults
- Attend school board meetings or better yet,
- Join the school board!
- Have a block party and invite the school families in your neighborhood over for a BBQ!
- Start your own book club. (Stay tuned for a post about what my 2nd grade daughter and I did.)
- Start a prayer group to pray faithfully for the school (Learn how I started one in our school. Post coming soon.)
Question for You ::
What are some creative ways you’ve found to get involved in your kids’ school?
Resources for You ::
- Epic School Decisions
- Why I Pay to Volunteer in my Kids’ School
- Praying for our Kids
- How to SHOW your kids you love them
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