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Step 1
Find out what your child's teacher needs. Often, she will need help with specific tasks, from editing stories to helping students learn basic math skills. Typically, this information is available on Back to School Night. If not, ask the teacher what help you can provide. Remember that parents who work full time can still contribute, by filing homework or returned papers for the teacher during the evening and returning them the next day.
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Step 2
Create an auction project. Many schools nowadays hold auctions to increase the private funding of their programs. Be in charge of the auction project to absolve the teacher of this responsibility.
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Step 3
Chaperone field trips. Every field trip needs parent volunteers to keep an eye on the kids, so the next time a permission slip comes home, check off the chaperoning box. It's a great chance to see how your child truly behaves at school.
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Step 4
Join the PTA or another parents' club. Most schools have some sort of teacher/parent group; join in to find out what's going on at school and what's coming up in your child's grade.
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Step 5
Work in the library. Parent volunteers are often required to keep the school library running smoothly. It's a treat for your child to see you working there, and a lesson to him about the value of the library in his education.
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Step 6
Serve lunch. If your school provides lunch as a fundraising program, volunteer to help serve it. While some schools have a full food-service staff, many others rely entirely on volunteers to provide the children with a hot lunch during the day.
