How to Volunteer at an Elementary School

Volunteering at your child's school presents a great opportunity to make contacts, understand the curriculum and meet staff. Every school has multiple needs and several ways to contribute. The best way for you to help out depends on who you want to have contact with, what your talents are and how much time you can contribute.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Join the PTA. The PTA at your child's school is not an exclusive club. It's a group that usually follows a charter or constitution that supports and betters the school. This is usually done through fundraising, after-school event planning and project management. If you are particularly social, or like planning children's parties, this is the right avenue for you.
2. Volunteer within the classroom. This is a great way to see your child and her teacher in action. You may get a great new perspective on your child's strengths and weaknesses, even if you are working with other students in the class. Observe first hand what kind of environment the teacher establishes in the classroom.
3. Work in the office. If you're an organizational guru or have a pleasant phone voice, volunteer to cover the office during the secretary's lunch break. This move alone could save your child's school thousands of dollars on substitutes and fill-ins.
4. Re-shelf books. The school library has a huge end-of-the-year process of re-shelving books that have strayed during the school year. If you can contribute to this in the evening, your school librarian may be so grateful that she'll train you on her own time!
5. Staff evening events. Working the sleepover or running the Halloween bash allows you to meet other parents in a relaxed and fun environment, while also helping your school.

Tips & Warnings

• Help bring an assembly to the school or help the librarian get all the kids a card at the local public library if you don't want to focus on parties, events or class help.
• Don't complain about your child's school if you haven't first put an effort into bettering it. Volunteering in some form, whether during the day or in the evening gives you a great idea of the challenges inherent in educating so many children.