Classroom Volunteers 101

I’ll admit it. I am just not crafty. I look at a paper plate and I see a paper plate. Not an alien or a raccoon mask or a ladybug with the addition of paint and a few pipe cleaners. I rarely go on Pinterest, nor am I trained in any aspect of child development or early education. I’m not even particularly organized. Yet, here I am, somehow into my fifth year of room-parenting. As a teacher at our school put it, sometimes all they need is “a warm body.”  I can do that! 

The idea for this article topic came about when I was helping out at our school’s picture day. The photographers were so happy to have parents there wrangling the kids and they said many schools do not have parents help out. That makes the process take a lot longer and pulls teachers or staff from their regular duties to help, plus the photographs do not turn out as well. I may not be crafty, but I can comb hair, tuck in shirts and tell kids to line up and quiet down with the best of them.

I recognize every school is different, and you have to follow your school’s policies about what they will allow parents to do. Schools and PTOs typically already have a long list of volunteer tasks they are trying to fill. I would like to encourage parents and schools to think of additional ways to promote parent involvement. Everyone has something to offer.

Also, don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to be a full-time volunteer in order to help out. ALL parents are busy. A little time or effort can go a long way. An hour a month gives a break to teachers or the small group of parent volunteers that organize and handle the bulk of the work at your school.  Think about what you enjoy doing and then find a way to apply that interest at school. Volunteering does not have to put you in the spotlight. There are plenty of behind-the-scenes jobs to be done.

• Volunteer to assist on picture day. You can escort kids to the photo location from the classroom and back. Straighten clothes and wipe faces if necessary. The other parents will thank you when their kids’ photos come back! 
• Be a reader or a listener. While many classes may invite parents in to read, consider coming in to listen. Teachers do not have much time in their day to listen to each new reader individually. Students love this one-on-one attention, and it is great to see how much they can improve their reading skills.
• Take photos in the classroom. Even if “scrapbook” is not a verb in your vocabulary, anyone can take photos of the kids and the classroom (or art room, gym or music performance) for the teacher and students to remember their year.
• Help prepare classroom projects at home. If you can make copies or send e-mails, you can help a teacher. Many projects, especially for younger children, such as cutting materials for specific lessons or designing a classroom calendar or bulletin board exhibit, can be done at home with your child. You also can help type up and send out e-mails of classroom updates and announcements.
• Other people at school besides classroom teachers often can use help. The office staff, principal, coaches, librarians, gym, art and music teachers, as well as club sponsors, are individuals to whom you could offer your assistance. Do you have an interest in an activity or club that your school doesn’t offer?  Recruit other parents and start one up. Don’t feel like it has to be a year-long weekly activity. See if you can help existing clubs with transportation, supplies or chaperoning.
• Do you have knowledge about a subject or nation your kids are studying in school?  Ask whether you can come in and show and tell the kids about the topic. Cook them a recipe from another culture and teach them a few words or a song in another language.
• If you work in the field of computers or technology, see whether your school could use a hand with their website or computer lab. Do you work someplace that would make an interesting field trip?  Plan a class visit to your workplace.
• Ask for a classroom wish list. Even if your schedule prohibits you from spending time at school, you can always give a gift of items or supplies needed for the classroom or other areas of the school.
• Write a personal note of thanks to your child’s teacher or coach for helping to guide your child.

Participating in even a small way will show your children that their education and school are important to you.

Most parents know that volunteering at school benefits their child. The National Education Association (NEA) has examined some of the specific ways parent involvement helps: 

• It is a great way to bond with your child and get to know the students, teachers and staff on a more personal level.
• Your child is more likely to get good grades, according to NEA statistics, and it can show your child that you and his teacher are a team.
• It eases time constraints of the teacher. When parents assist with tasks like paperwork and decorating, teachers have more time to teach.
• You will get to know other parents and provide a supportive school community where students know that parents care about their school and their education.

Laura Miller McEachen lives in Overland Park and is a part-time attorney and a full-time mommy. She likes to volunteer at school so she can see what her kids are up to.