School volunteers

[aprincessmom]

Just got off the phone with my sister. She's a school volunteer at her DS's school. Parents just got a note in the mail from the school district saying that this year, because of problems in the past years, they are going to be doing things a little differently. They still encourage parent volunteers but you will no longer be doing your volunteer time in your child's classroom. You'd be in another area of the school or another classroom. My sister doesn't care because she volunteers in the library -- they have a hard time filling those positions because it's not a classroom one -- but apparently some of the other parents are up in arms about the change and aren't going to volunteer anymore.

My sister and I are confused by the response of these parents...isn't the whole idea of being a school volunteer to give of your time to make the entire school be a better place? Personally, I would rather not be in DD's classroom. That's her turf, not mine. I want her to have a place where she is allowed her own space to learn and grow without me. Besides, school is her job and I don't want to be a distraction to her. So I am confused by the reaction of these other parents who are not going to do something they profess to love to do and feel is vitally important to the community because they won't be in contact with their own children.

So here's my question to all you volunteers...would you continue to volunteer your time if you knew you weren't going to be placed in your child's classroom? And, if not, why is that the primary deciding factor in your decision?

 

[luvmydogs]

I'll do just about anything ds10's school asks me to do. Fundraising help, filing papers in the office, painting sets for plays...you name it. The only time I've been in his specific classroom was when his teacher asked for parents' help with a certain event--class parties, read-to-a-child day, pet day, etc...

I'm with you--I don't want to be in ds's class on a regular basis. Consciously or not, I'd be a distraction to him, and I'm thinking that maybe his teacher as well. Also, I really like doing different things--meeting a lot of kids and different teachers and staff. It gives you a much broader perspective into the place where your child spends 7 hours a day. My favorite thing is checking books out of the library--kids love to tell you why they chose a certain book and what other books they like to read!

I really don't understand the issue these parents have. Especially since I'm a SAHM and can be there during school hours, I'll give back to the school (and a wonderful school it is!) any way I can.

 

[dismom9761]

If I could volunteer I would help wherever I am needed.I think that if I were in my kid's class it would be very distracting.

 

[kejoda]

I volunteer in our son's schools. I am in the classroom and in other areas. I like be able to go in theirs rooms so I can get to know the other kids in the class. As for the school not allowing it anymore there must be a reason. Not being able to be in the boys room would not stop me from volunteering. Schools can't survive without them.

 

[Castlebound]

I always request not to be in the kids classrooms. I let my kids have their space to just be themselves without worrying about what I might think. There are some parents who want to control everything about their children's lives. I would hate to be the teacher that has to deal with the parents who always have to be there.

 

[merrily]

I have volunteered in my son's classrooms for the last 5 years, starting in Kindergarten. The teachers have always been welcoming. I wasn't going to volunteer one year but his teacher solicited me as she had heard about me from past teachers. I did whatever the teachers wanted- cataloging books, doing displays, helping with special projects, tutoring small groups of students, photocopying, whatever. I liked it as it allowed me to get a good handle on who my son's friends are and I built great relationships with the teachers. In fact I would say that two of them are now good friends. If my son had asked me not to volunteer in his classroom or the teacher felt it was too distracting to him or others, I would have stepped aside. I also volunteer in other aspects in the school with PTA, bookfairs, special events, field trips, library, etc.

 

[lbgraves]

I like volunteering in my children's classrooms because usually what I do helps their teacher spend more time teaching the kids...including mine. I would rather help in a way that directly impacts/helps my child. I also am on the PTO board so I put in tons of hours with other activities with the school helping it as a whole.

 

[froglady]

My children's school has had a policy (16+ years) that, except for parties, etc, parents do NOT volunteer in their child's classroom. I was a volunteer weekly for 4 years in the older classes, then younger.

It worked out really well, as I got to see what would be expected of my child, and then got to do things with other children that my child had already done.

 

[magicfan]

I love helping out in my childrens rooms. It makes them really happy, and I really enjoy it. I don't mind making copies or helping out in other area's but I don't like the idea at all of not being allowed in my childs room. If it were a distraction, maybe, but my kids have never focused on me while I was in thier room. They know to pay attention to the teacher. It just hasn't ever been a problem with me before, and I am really glad that is not a rule at our school. I would think that the school may just lose some volenteers over this rule, as some parents may only want to help in thier childs class. I wouldn't quit helping out, but I would be very disappointed.

 

[caitycaity]

as an aside...

My sister doesn't care because she volunteers in the library -- they have a hard time filling those positions because it's not a classroom one --

i'd RATHER be in the library! i bet volunteering at the library is a lot of fun!

 

[Poohnatic]

I purposely picked the library last year. I'm a bookworm, and got to relive the one of the best parts of my elementary years by being in there. Like many schools, this was the area that didn't get a lot of volunteers-there were five of us for the first half of the year.

This year, I offered to help in my younger sons class, even though older son has a newbie teacher. However, it looks like the library still has a need-as does the office. We'll see where I end up. I'd rather go where they need the help-it's not just about my kids.

suzanne

 

[aprincessmom]

i'd RATHER be in the library! i bet volunteering at the library is a lot of fun!

She loves it! I know that's what I'd volunteer for if I could devote a day a week to it!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I volunteered in a lot of things at my kids' school, and rarely, if ever did I volunteer in their rooms.

 

[PaulaSue]

Humm...interesting. I volunteer but more at night with PTO,etc. I don't think it would change my mind from volunteering if I couldn't be with my DD's.