OT Volunteering at School

[design_mom]

For those who are teachers and like parent volunteers to cut out things for bulletin boards, etc. Please consider sending that work home with someone.

I work full-time outside the home, so although I would like to volunteer inside the classroom, my schedule does not permit it. (I've also heard the same from SAHM's who have younger children. Without childcare they can't volunteer in the classroom either.) However, I would love to participate and help out.

Last year, I told my son's kindergarten teacher that if she had anything I could do from home, I was more than happy to help. I ended up prepping stuff for art projects, mounting stuff for bulletin boards, cutting apart "sight word" flash cards, etc. The teacher sent home an example with DS and I did the rest. I think I was helpful and my DS was proud to say "my mom helped with that!"

I've made the same offer to DS's first grade teacher *and* the art teacher, but neither of them have taken me up on it -- but I would be happy to do the cutting/stapling, etc. if I could do it at 10:30 at night!

 

[brettgirl]

I wanted to volunteer at my DS school, I taught in NJ and we now live in PA. I taught Kinder, nursery school and sub. in NJ and at a special needs school in the town we now live, I had clearances in both states, my mantoux test and a degree. They took my papers at the desk and said they would call me.........never heard from them again. I now work for a company that has me in his school to help my two clients continue their education appropriately. I know first hand how much they really NEED help in this school and am furious that I was never called to help.

 

[DawnM]

I did not volunteer in my kids' classrooms, but it was because I was teaching high school myself and not available. I know our elem. uses parent volunteers daily!

It is funny how some schools complain because they don't get enough "parent involvement" while other schools don't seem to want them????

Dawn

 

[Piper]

My school is a very multicultural public school. We have children and parents from aroound the world. It is also a title I school--so you can see it is not rich!

We have a parent center that is staffed by a paraprofessional with training in ESL, Love and Logic, and other parenting "skills." It is open Mon-Thurs mornings. We have a lot of mothers and a few fathers who are there every time it is open. They take English classes, parenting classes, learn how to work with their younger children, and are available to help teachers in many ways--from being in the classroom to cutting out stuff for the teacher in the Parent Center. They make costumes for our school performances, cut our and sewed 3 sides of the pillows our PreK students "made" for their parents. (The students hand sewed the 4th side after putting their handprint, writing their name on one side and stuffing it.)

They help in the library, read with children that either need help or need someone to just appreciate their accomplishments, have pot luck lunches, make crafts, etc. It is a great environment!

The parents do have to have a background and criminal record check. And our district has a system that uses a person's driver's licence to do a quick check and issue a picture name tag with that day's date any time a person enters the school.

 

[TinkerbellsFriend]

My daughter started kindergarten this year and I have volunteered in the classroom as well as with the PTO. I have brought projects home to do as well.
I read somewhere that childrens whose parents are involved in their school and activities do better is school ...(can remember exactly how it was written).
I think if parents are going in to volunteer they should do just that. It is the teachers classroom. I don't necessarily always agree with what is going on, but it is not for me to decide as long as it does not negatively effect my child.

 

[Drewsmommybear]

Personally, I don't see how our school would run without volunteers. I work at a school with 138 kids and anyone who can pitch in is more than welcome to roll up their sleeves and get busy. In fact, our custodian was sick on Friday and we couldn't get a sub so a mom who was doing something else grabbed the mop and stepped in. Next week we are doing Dr. Suess week and as the reading specialist, I'm kind of in charge of putting on the whole festivities. I can tell you that I haven't lifted a finger. Parents have arranged guest readers (including a congressman), come up with activities, and even planned an after school party. It's made it easier for me to focus on those kids who need help with reading.

The mom part of me understands why parents want to volunteer. You want to be close to your children and you want your children to succeed. Being a parent is a real job all by itself. Plus, when parents show an interest in school, children show and interest in school.

It is rare to not find at least five or six parents or community members in our school at any time of the day doing anything from working with students to answering the phones because the secretary had to go do lunch. We value them so much that we throw a dinner in their honor once a year. Maybe this is one of the reasons why my school is a School of Excellence.

For those parents who do not feel valued by their children's schools, I'm sorry. Just know that they are missing out on a great opportunity. I think that so many schools feel protective of what's going on in their buildings and it's time for that to end.

This is me getting off of my soapbox.

 

[Disneymoon]

I am a , preschool special needs for a public school.

I enjoy having parent volunteers come into my classroom and help out with the kiddos. I will admit that it can be stressful sometimes because I want everything to run "perfectly" while parents are in the room and that rarely happens in my classroom . I do think it is good for my parents to see their child in action and see the gains they are making, it also allows them to see the other kids and have a better understanding of what our classroom is all about.

I am also very fortunate to have a group of great parents that love to donate items to our classroom. Even a pack of markers every once in awhile is a welcome and much appreciated treat

 

[SmallWorld71]

I don't think the teacher or parent in the original post represent the majority of people. However, giving them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they have both had bad experiences in the past. A friend and colleague of mine (1st grade) had 2 horrible parents who decided it was their job to torment the teacher. They would do things like: note which math homework or spelling list their children were on and compare it to the other classes and if it was one day/ week behind, they would call the superintendent to complain, they would send in their kids in January without winter coats, boots etc... and report that they were being discriminated against because they couldn't go outside, I even went to her room one day after school to return something and they were stealing math tests! What's more, these 2 parents specifically requested this teacher for their children. THEY needed to get a life!
It's also possible that the parent who retorted back has had some bad experiences with teachers, either their own or their kids and doesn't think teachers can be trusted.
Of course, I think most teachers and parents have the best of intentions and that voluteers can really benefit the school. Just wanted to say that maybe there was more to those comments than what showed up on line. For all you parents who do volunteer your time, keep up the good work.

 

[tinytink]

This is sooooo funny because our school is in such termoil right now. The volunteers don't want to come in because the office staff and administration is so mean and unwelcoming. I am on the PTO board going on 6 years and I have seen our school go down hill in the past 7 year I have been here. We are a private school and it's run by nuns. I have had the principal approve a nasty email to me from other members of our board about things the volunteers should be doing. Here is what was sent to me:
Dear Home Room Parents,

We are now well underway in the second half of the school year.
We, the Head Homeroom Mom(s), have been asked to address a few issues
relating to Teacher Appreciation Day concerning the Kindergarten and 4th
grade classes.

Sister Therese was adamant at the beginning of the year that the
homeroom parents for each grade coordinate/communicate in some way so that
parties/special events/teacher gifts are similar in nature/ grandness for
that particular grade. Last year there were several instances where issues
such as class gifts/ parties/special events became a problem because the two
classes did not work together. This is why we have requested in the
strongest way possible the necessary communication between Grade Home Room
Parents .

Teacher Appreciation Day is a chance for the STUDENTS, as a
CLASS to thank their teacher with a small token of their gratitude.

Unfortunately, one Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Fonzi, and one
Fourth Grade Teacher, Sister Elizabeth, did not receive a token of
appreciation from their class on Teacher Appreciation Day. We understand a
mother from the classes realized nothing was being done that the parents
were aware of. This mother purchased flowers on her own and presented each
teacher with a bouquet from each class. Neither class had been sent home
with a note from the Room Parent alerting them that the school was
celebrating Teacher Appreciation Day, nor that the class as a whole would
participate in some token way to say Thank You to their teacher.

Issues concerning Teacher Appreciation Day:

1. Parents needed to be notified ahead of time of a class gift.
Parents from several of your classes had no idea what was planned.

2. Children were left w/o a true Class gift for their teacher
on this special day.

3. Class gifts needed to be prepared/arranged before the actual
day.

4. It appears no Home Room Parents for Kindergarten or 4th
grade coordinated with each other. We have may special celebrations ahead
of us where communication is an absolute must.

All these issues could have been addressed/discovered/ corrected
if the coordination and communication had taken place as requested.

We appreciate your volunteer service to our school. We are
always there to help you all if a problem arises. Please let us know how we
may assist you in answering any future questions or concerns you may have.

What makes thier accusations so bad was that I brought lunches to both kindergarten teachers and both 4th grade teachers everyday except the one day the PTO provided lunch. Then I presented the Kindergarten teachers (2)them each with a signed certificate of appreciation and a "Thank You" card gift basket with a nice pen/pencil set and for my 4th grade teacher I presented her with a signed certificate of appreciation and a voucher for 25 new copies of a book she uses in her classroom(the printer is reprinting it and won't be available till April). I also sent all the parents an email weeks before informing them of these ideas and many responded with very positive feedback.

So people don't even want to come and volunteer.

 

[arielsleepingbeauty]

I love volunteering at my girls school. I look forward to all their in school events and field trips. I work, but i take the time off when they have an event so that i can volunteer. I will not miss it. I love seeing the kids and my girls love me being in thier school. I have never distrusted their teachers. I think they are wonderful, i think they have the toughest job in the world. They have so much pressure put on them because our childrens education is in their hands. I think that they deserve every penny that they get. They are with my children more awake hours of the day. I appreciate that i have been allowed to come in and help out with their classes. I never want to be a burden, i just want to be a part of their day, help the teacher in any way i can and also see what my daughter does during the day. I would love if they would install a nany cam (with the teaxchers knowledge) so that i can check in every so often and see what my daughter is doing during the day. I may be in the minority, but i miss my daughters and wold love to catch a glimpse of them during the day while i am at work.
I will be sad when they get older and the teachers not want any volunteers.

 

[DevilDuckie]

I give 6-8 hours a week at my 4th grade son's school, most of it in the classroom. The teacher is almost pathetically grateful. I grade papers, enter grades in the computer, pull kids aside for homework help, give an extra pair of hands for big projects, run errands, make copies, cover for her to run to the bathroom... trust me, this woman is taking full advantage of the help and is glad to have it! It took a little while for her to be certain that I really was willing and even glad to do this, but once she was sure that she wasn't abusing anything she was very happy. One of the 5th grade teachers comes by every week on my day in the class to "remind me" how happy my kid would be in her class next year.

I love the kids. I do not want a "day job" but I really enjoy the time with the kids and it has nothing to do with me not trusting the teacher. I go on all the field trips and the teacher says she likes having another adult who all the kids know well in case of emergency.


Those two snippy women were an aberration.

 

[DevilDuckie]

3. And this one IS a little selfish...I hope that if I ever DO have a problem, they will be more open to discussion, because they will know I devote time to both my daughter AND to her school, and don't just show up once a year to whine about something.

Oh, and this? Totally not selfish. It's a two way street. You know they will be open and THEY know that you will be too. The teacher can be comfortable going to you with an issue because you know how she interacts with the kids and will not be hyper-defensive if she says there's an issue. Involved parents are less likely to view the teacher as a hostile stranger.

 

[BeckyScott]

None of the schools here do the classroom volunteers.

However, there is plenty of other opportunity.

Yesterday the kids came home with a flier from the PTA. They are looking to fill positions for next year, as all the parents that are really involved have kids that are in 5th grade and will be leaving next year. Looking at the list, it looks like everything is available- all the officers (even the presidency), all the committee heads. A couple of months ago I was in the office picking up my DS when they were gathering for a meeting, and it appeared that the whole PTA meeting consisted of four moms. I don't know if that's unusual or if in fact those four ladies have been running the show this whole time, and I would have stayed but I had to deal with DS. I'm a room mom this year and I know it's been like pulling teeth to get parents to help.

So I'll volunteer for whatever they need. I had been kind of laying back this year, as it's our first year at this school, and I wanted to see how things worked. You all know the drill, there's always some sort of system or heirarchy or the Queen Bee thing, I didn't want to just jump in since I'm totally not the Queen Bee type.

 

[Mkrop]

None of the schools here do the classroom volunteers.

However, there is plenty of other opportunity.

Yesterday the kids came home with a flier from the PTA. They are looking to fill positions for next year, as all the parents that are really involved have kids that are in 5th grade and will be leaving next year. Looking at the list, it looks like everything is available- all the officers (even the presidency), all the committee heads. A couple of months ago I was in the office picking up my DS when they were gathering for a meeting, and it appeared that the whole PTA meeting consisted of four moms. I don't know if that's unusual or if in fact those four ladies have been running the show this whole time, and I would have stayed but I had to deal with DS. I'm a room mom this year and I know it's been like pulling teeth to get parents to help.

So I'll volunteer for whatever they need. I had been kind of laying back this year, as it's our first year at this school, and I wanted to see how things worked. You all know the drill, there's always some sort of system or heirarchy or the Queen Bee thing, I didn't want to just jump in since I'm totally not the Queen Bee type.

I know at our school we have five officers, Pres, VP, Treasurer, Cor Sec and Rec Sec. They are our board and they do meet just the five of them with the prinicipal sometime.. Every year they are voted in.

Then there are all the committee chairpeople and they go to all the metting as well so that is the large metting but they someitmes do have a small meeting fo juts the officers so maybe that is what you saw.

 

[mylilnikita]

I do not volunteer in my DD's class, but if they go on a field trip and I am able to get off work I will go help out. There is 1 lady I know that every thursday goes in and helps the teacher.
I will volunteer at school functions or at least help bring in snacks for the events. 4 times a month there are "PVD" days where parents come in for a few hours on these specified days and help cut, laminate, etc.
We had a volunteer appreciation breaksfast the other day, but I wasn't feeling good so wasn't able to go.
I actually checked off postions on a paper from the Pta for next year with postions that will be open and of course have to be voted on.

 

[MouseLover]

I have had good and bad experiences with volunteers. Many of my students
(1st grade) misbehave when they have a parent or grandparent in the classroom. Others don't misbehave but they are distracted and keep motioning for their parent to come look at their work, etc. I had a parent volunteer sort graded papers for me but she seemed over-interested in all the other kids test scores and in my gradebook. At our school, we can no longer use parent volunteers or substitute teachers to grade or sort papers for us because of this issue. What I really need besides that is someone who will tear out and sort workbook pages and make copies and work 1-on-1 with a struggling child. And I would love to have Mrs. S.'s volunteer. Mrs. S. has had the same volunteer for a few years. Mrs. S. had a student whose grandmother volunteered to do the above tasks, and after the student moved on up, the grandmother stayed! Mrs. S. has the best bulletin boards & work displays in the school. We are all jealous! Last year I had a good volunteer for track & field day. She was wonderful -- escorted students to & from restrooms, carried sodas & water bottles from the snack stand, and went and bought cracker packs for all my kids.

Here's my suggestion: If you really want to volunteer at your child's school, you may consider volunteering across the hall. That way you are still helpful, your child won't be distracted by your presence, and you'll still have plenty of opportunities to build a relationship with the teacher. At our school, all the teachers, paraprofessionals, volunteers, PTO, subs, etc. get along well and eat together, etc. I have been a sub in schools before though, where you did not feel "welcome" to hang out with the regular staff. Also, you may want to get involved with PTO. Our PTO membership is not great, but the ones who are involved, are REALLY involved. They donate countless hours to benefit the school and students.

Also,

 

[PrincessKell]

I do as much as I am wanted from the teacher. If she needs something she WILL ask.

DD is in Kindergarten, and they do centers. so each day there is at least one parent helping in the class. I do wednesday and when ever anyone else can't make their time slot. I help at all the parties in one way or another. Field trips etc. dd's teacher has her hands full with this class. They are the wildest K class out of the four at the school. I love helping even if its just cutting or copying.

When we do centers I have actually worked it out with the teacher that dd is NOT at my centers because it will be come a distraction for dd. then she will either have a meltdown when I leave or want to leave with me. First it was she came to me last, (they do two centers each day) to now she doesnt at all. This works really really well.

I love to help because I love the kids, the teacher and being helpful. I also like to see how Dd is in the class since she doesn't have an aid this year.. we are fighting for one next year.

I hope that our 1st grade teacher is just as great as the kinder we have now.