Do Something for Your School

By Bookie and Andy McDonough

You can’t wrap it up or put a bow on it, but your time might be the most valuable gift you can make to your school and community. While your support through taxes and giving at fundraisers are critical to your school’s operation, education is much more than budgets, books and bells. Education is about people working together and today’s volunteers are playing a critical role. Now, more than ever, schools need helping hands and there are many ways for parents to get involved.

Strength in Numbers – Most schools have some form of parent-teacher organization, but don’t assume that everyone else is doing the work. Positions within PTOs change frequently as students move up from one school to the next. There is always a need for both helping hands and creative thinking. Active involvement in a PTO can put you in the thick of critical decisions that could impact your child’s education and safety. It can also help you to meet other parents with similar concerns. If you like working as part of a group, you can really make your mark as part of these important organizations – it can be a lot of fun, too.

Team Up with a Teacher – There is nothing more rewarding than helping teachers on the frontline. Many elementary schools allow parent volunteers to help out right in the classroom. Having a mom or dad to read with individual children allows the teacher to work with other students and still maintain control of the classroom. For the parent, volunteering in the classroom is a sneak peek into your child’s world, how they socialize and behave in class. The gift of your time can provide relief for the teacher and more one-on-one attention for students who need support.

Hit the Books – A good library is a busy one and there are plenty of things to get done in a busy library. It’s generally more than one librarian can handle. Plus, the library can’t close when the librarian is not around. Checking books in and out and restocking the shelves isn’t hard work, but it can become overwhelming in the midst of 20 clamoring children. Often, librarians only work part-time or have been cut due to budget constraints so parent involvement can be key to keeping a good library program up and running.

Raise some Funds – Special programs like book fairs and family fun days make it possible for schools to raise money for special programs, but to be successful these programs need people to run them. If you’re an organizer, this is your chance to step up. If your time is limited, sign up for something specific and be clear about how much time you can commit. Don’t worry if it doesn’t seem like much. Big events are successful when everyone pulls together to do their part.

Fill a Hole – Volunteer to do something that isn’t getting done around the school. Don’t be afraid to speak up if you see some way to help. Bring your ideas to an administrator or teacher. From redoing a colorful bulletin board or organizing the playground equipment to planting flowers in front of the school, it all goes to make school a bright and interesting place for students to learn and grow.

Don’t Think You Have the Time? – If your busy lifestyle or career doesn’t seem to lend itself to volunteering on a regular basis, consider sharing something of yourself or your career with the school. Talking about careers isn’t reserved for career day; students enjoy hearing about the world and how it works. If your business or company is doing something important for the community, offer to talk about it. Teachers are generally happy to coordinate their efforts with your schedule and students love a guest speaker. A special skill or hobby you can speak about can often be applied to academic initiatives and enhance a curriculum – just ask a teacher.

Parents who have taken the opportunity to volunteer at school generally get hooked on the experience and keep coming back for more. Giving the gift of your time is a great way to actively participate in your child’s education and stay tuned in to what’s going on in school. Besides, it just plain feels good to lend a hand.

Bookie McDonough is a licensed social worker with experience in middle and high schools. She has counseled and advocated for at-risk youth and parents, as well as consulted for The Mother’s Center, a national support organization for new mothers. Andy McDonough is a former public school educator, education consultant and freelance writer. They are raising two teenagers in New Jersey and volunteer at their schools.