Let me start by saying I am a stay-at-home mom of one. I have more open/free time than a lot of other parents. I know this. But I often get asked why are you helping out at school so much? Wouldn't you rather be home watching TV or napping or anything?
First of all, when I am at home rarely do I ever nap. (And when I do it is because I haven't been sleeping well or I am sick.) I have "jobs" to do at home. I have furry kids to take care during the day. I don't want to be home "napping" when I can be helping my daughter's school succeed.
Second of all, I volunteer because I enjoy it. I would love to say that I am being selfless and volunteering even though I do not like it and get nothing out of it. I receive plenty of hugs and thank yous. This is not a sacrifice for me. It should not be for you either. I get tired of hearing people complain the entire time they are volunteering (anywhere not just as school). If it is so horrible, then don't do it.
Thirdly, it might not seem like I am doing anything beyond copying and laminating, but what I do is give teachers more time to teach. If I can help with the little things like making copies or putting together materials for a class project, that frees up some time for the classroom teacher to teach. They spend a ridiculous amount of time doing things besides teaching. I am not just talking about lesson planning and grading. They have to go to trainings, have team meetings, plan for special events (like farmers bringing eggs in for the kids to watch hatch), organizing the classroom, counseling the kids with hurt feelings, correcting behavior, answering parent questions, etc.. The list goes on and on. If I can take some of that off their plate, that gives them just a little bit more time explaining a math problem for the third time in a different way so every kid understands it or teaching a kid to not just read but enjoy reading.
Lastly I think every parent should volunteer in their kid's school. Let me explain before you freak out and say I work full-time or easy for you to say you only have one kid. Volunteering at your kid's school does NOT have to be a HUGE time commitment. There are things that need to be done once a month or events that happen once a year, that do not take much time. And if your next reason is you can never get time off work, there are ways to help after hours or from home. Also schools have events where they need items bought instead of a time commitment. For example our PTO does teacher appreciation through out the year. The PTO decided to do a lunch a few weeks back and provided the sandwiches. The PTO asked parent volunteers to bring in side dishes or desserts. If your reason is you don't like kids, then there are jobs for you that don't interact with the kids. (I just don't get people who don't just love being around kids, because it is my passion.)
WAYS TO HELP IN YOUR KID'S SCHOOL
(I know that some of this is localized to my daughter's school, but I bet your school has something to replace it with. Just ask.) First schools require background checks before you volunteer. (Or at least they do around here to keep the kids safe.) Start by contacting the school to find out what paperwork you need to complete to help out.
Less of a time commitment (either once a year or a few times a year, not monthly): There are tons of events that happen once or twice each year. These events put a lot of strain on staff to complete the event. Here is a list of such events: Kindergarten Registration, Picture Day, Hearing and Vision Screening Day, School wide Carnival or Open House or Class Picnic, Field Trip, Concert, Offer to read a book to your child's class (some teachers do mystery reader events), Ask to demonstrate or teach the kids about something unique you do (Examples would be play an instrument, geocache, farm, whatever. Talk with the teacher she/he might have a great way to incorporate your talent into the lessons. Kids love this!)
More often: Library (Even if you pop in to help shelf books the librarian will love you. Just make sure you know how to shelf first.), Make copies, Laminate, Cut out laminated items, Hang students' projects in classroom or hallway, Reading Buddy, Math games with the kids, Literacy stations, Sort book orders, Entertain kids during inside recess days, Organize or help with a charity event (Toys for Tots, care packages to soldiers, can food for food pantries), Offer to watch the kids while the teacher takes a much needed bathroom break, Deep clean the room after a virus went around, Organize classroom library, Clean out kids' cubbies or desks, Maintain classroom gardens
Things to donate:
At the start of the school year, teachers are overflowing with tissues and cleaning wipes. By January (when colds and the flu is going around) they are out. How do they get more? They use their own money. This goes for a lot of classroom items including school supplies for kids who cannot afford them. If you cannot physically help out at school, considering donating something from the list below. (Obviously this list is not complete. Like ways to volunteer I could go on and on about items needed. When in doubt ask your teacher if she/he needs something. If it is a bigger item team up with some other parents to pool money together.)
-Tissues, Cleaning Wipes, Hand Sanitizer, Pencils, Crayons, Folders, Markers, Binders, Coffee (for teacher lounge), Snacks (classroom or teacher lounge), Dry Erase Markers, Books, Spare underwear (for little kids and accidents), Tape, Paper clips
I could go on for days about why you should volunteer and ways you can volunteer, but you would probably stop reading. Trust me there are tons of ways to help. Just ask.
(Excuse my run on sentences. I am having a really bad grammar day.)
