Welcome to Day NINE of
I Support My School... My Way, VolunteerSpot's back-to-school campaign and Sweepstakes celebrating parent involvement in schools!
We have a special treat today. FOUR bloggers all on one day! All sharing their stories THEIR way today.
(And a whole lot more over the next few weeks.)
Please Meet:
Jill Berry of Musings From Me
Jill has had kids in school since 1998! She was a working mom with two kids at home, but then decided her kids were what she really wanted to dedicate her time to. She became a volunteer enthusiast!:
"I relished volunteering in my daughter’s kindergarten classroom. With a full room of squirmy kindergarteners, the teacher needed an extra person to go over sightword lists or do craft projects with small groups. While I was never a room mom, I volunteered my time to class parties and sent in snacks and juice bags."
Jill has volunteerism fever! She volunteered at all different kinds of school functions:
"As a volunteer I was very willing to sign up for this activity or volunteer to chaperone that field trip. I wish I had known about VolunteerSpot back in the early 2000s…my life and the lives of my fellow PTA members would have been so much easier."
Read more about how Jill supports her school.
Follow Jill on Twitter @MusingsFromMe.
***
Mariana of The Domestic Buzz
Marina has come to the same realization as many parents:
"It’s no secret that with budget cuts, our children’s schools need parents more than ever, but writing check after check isn’t in our budget right now."
Check out some of the ways that Mariana is making a difference at her school without breaking the bank!:
- I joined the PTA. Not only became a member, but I took a position as Bilingual Liaison, hoping to reach out to our Spanish-speaking community.
- I’m helping in the classroom. I’m looking forward to chaperoning at least one of my daughter’s field trips. Hoping to make it in once or twice to read a book to the class. Walking the Diabetes walk along with Maya. Providing food and goodies for class parties. Obsessively cutting Box Tops. Whatever I can do to help.
Read more about how Mariana supports her school through creative and cost-free ways.
Follow Mariana on Twitter: @ohmariana
***
Kelli of Parenting Squad
Kelli states right off the bat that she's neither a room mom or a PTA parent, but she still does her part to support her school. Here are some of her suggestions on how to help out at school"
Let the teachers do their job.
Don't confuse strict with strychnine.
Keep communication lines open.
Remember, teachers are human, too.
And we especially like this one:
Ask how to help.
Some teachers want parents in the classroom every day. Others cringe at the thought and prefer that parents help by doing administrative tasks at home. Don't assume you know what assistance the teacher needs. Find out on the first day: "What can I do to help you this year?"
Read more about how Kelli supports her school.
Follow Kelli on Twitter @ParentingSquad.
Barb of BeTweenTalk
As Barb's kids have gotten older, they really didn't want mom at school anymore. But Barb has done her part to support her schools and educaiton of all chilren - through politics!
"...one thing I have always been is an educational activist. Most recently, I have been helping to stir the pot up about the Dougco school voucher issue and Science Education in the US. Because I believe that no matter where you sit on the side of school choice vouchers or educational reform, the conversation is the most important part."
Read more about how Barb uses her "voice as a blogger to bring to light these discussions on the politics of education."
Follow Barb on Twitter @Chaotic_Barb.
***
VolunteerSpot's FREE online signup sheets make it easy to organize parents and signup to help for just about anything: classroom helpers, snack schedules, carnivals, library volunteers, parent-teacher conferences and more.... No more 'Reply-All' email chains or clipboard sign up sheets! Please share with your room mom, teachers and parent leaders…
You could WIN $500 in school supplies for your favorite school!
