by Sandra Cole

Created on: December 09, 2009

When parents and others in the community get involved in the classroom they send a valuable message to the children. They show that they truly care about the children's success.  Students come to feel that school is a good place to be and education a valuable opportunity for self-improvement.  After all the adults care enough to give up their free time to help out in their classroom.

Teachers can encourage community participation in the schools by encouraging parents to volunteer to help as tutors, field trip helpers, room mothers, fund raisers, and general cheer-leaders for the educational process.  Every contact with parents should be positive to encourage good feelings about participating at the school.  Notes sent home can solicit help in a wide variety of tasks that could suit many talents.  Tasks can be planned that can be accomplished in after school or weekend hours so that those parents who work can find a time to help out also. 

Others in the community can be enlisted as well.  A program that combines education about school needs with outreach activities can bring a diverse group of helpers into the classroom.

Here are some ways that teachers can encourage people in the community to volunteer in schools:

Have booths at school fairs, sporting events, and concerts which advertise school needs and allow people to sign up to volunteer to help with many different school activities.

Make a special effort to recruit volunteers at senior centers.  Often seniors have the spare time that parents don’t have.  They may even live far from their own grandchildren and desire and enjoy the contact with young people.

Write newspaper articles telling of need for volunteers and informing readers how to contact the schools.

Place a “Volunteers Needed” sign outside the school with a phone number to contact.

Speak to clubs and organizations about how they could help with donations, mentoring, and helping in work projects at the school, such as playground building,

Create a parent resource center where parents get information on how to maximize the children’s educational potential, self confidence, and happiness.

Develop a classroom website where parents and members of the community can get information about school activities.

Invite parents and community members into the schools to talk about travels or discuss their job on a Career Day.

Offer workshops for parents which give tips on how to help children improve their study skills.

Compile a wish list of things the school could use from art materials to school supplies that some children may not be able to afford.

Compile a similar list of ways parents and other community members could help out, from judging science fairs to stapling concert programs.

There are many ways to encourage volunteerism in the schools, but it is important to consider safety issues as well.  Any volunteer who will be in close contact with children needs to undergo a screening process to ensure that he or she will not be a threat to the children he works with.

Express your gratitude to the volunteers who help out in your school.  Let them know they are very much appreciated.  Chances are, their work with your children will be rewarding enough to keep them coming back.  But it never hurts to hear a heartfelt ‘Thank you” as well!

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