42 Ways you can Volunteer in your Kids’ School

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 2^nd 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