VOLUNTEERING GUIDELINES Every time you come in to volunteer, you'll need to first stop by the main office to sign in as a visitor and get your volunteer badge/sticker.
If you're early or the class isn't quite ready, there will be materials and a list of things you can do to help while you wait. These will be on the island (the long counter over near where the students hang up their coats and bags).
When working with the students, a friendly touch on the arm or shoulder is okay and you can accept any hugs that they give you (if you're comfortable with that), but, in general, you are reminded that you won't be the one initiating contact with the kids.
You're also reminded to use a kind voice, let the children do as much as they can, and to not speak negatively about anyone once you leave the classroom.
Volunteering with siblings: You won't be able to bring siblings during the times you're volunteering one-on-one with students (such as during the reading and writing parts of class), but it may be possible to bring them when you do other things like prepping materials or helping in the garden. If you think you'll need to bring a sibling, please contact me ahead of time.
CURRENT (ONGOING) VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
The main area that will always have ongoing openings for volunteers, throughout the school year is reading.
Reading You are welcome to volunteer with reading on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 8:45 to 10:00. You may be helping with small groups, cold reading (where students read new material and you record their accuracy), Progress Monitoring assessments, helping students practice high frequency word flash cards, or being a reading buddy one-on-one with a student. Your child may not be in my room for reading. If you wish to help in your child's reading class, please contact their reading teacher.
Writing (10-10:30) We'll be implementing the use of iPads using SeeSaw to record student writing. Having a volunteer to help oversee this process would be much appreciated.
Math (12:45-1:45) Math volunteers will either be working with small groups requiring a little more support, small groups working on an extension/challenge, or small groups working on numeracy games and activities.
Prep If you are interested in just helping, your schedule can be more flexible. I try to have a list of projects that I need help prepping or collating. Prep work may be done in the classroom or in the hallway.
Library volunteers needed to help us pick up books and find books. Sign up if you are interested. Training is provided. Our library day is Friday 2:10-2:30, but pick ups are done earlier in the day.
Art Literacy volunteers are needed to facilitate the art education program. Training and support is provided. I will always be in the room with your to help with class management. The students really look forward to these experiences! Art Lit will take place for up to 1 hour between 12:45-2:30, every 4-6 weeks.
FUTURE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES Class Parties: The class will be having a couple of parties during the school year. They will last about 30 minutes, from 1:50-2:25. I will be sending out a Signup Genius link when we get closer to the date(s).
Scholastic Book orders: Volunteers are needed to sort book orders when they come in.
Chaperones: Parents may be needed to chaperone 1-2 field trips this year.
Photographer: Anyone who would be free to photograph class events would be much appreciated. I have a digital camera, but you can also use an ipad. Photos will be passed along to the PTA to possibly be used in the year-end memory books. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer at any of the events as they occur.
Individual interests and fields of knowledge: Please let us know if you would like to present something to the class. Would you like to share something about your culture, traditions, foreign language, hobby, career...? If so, please let me know.
School-wide volunteer opportunities: Please consider joining the PTA, PaLa and/or Site Council. This is a great way to stay informed and contribute to our school community.
SIGNING UP TO VOLUNTEER
By written note: If you'd like, you can send a me a note in your student's homework folder. By email: Feel free to email me.