Get Involved at School!

Even though you’re busy, it’s important to get involved at your child’s school. I rarely have time to spend all day at the school, but a few minutes a week are beneficial, and the teachers are really grateful.

When I walk in to my child’s school, people know me because I’m there volunteering or participating in class events. It makes a huge impact. You have credibility with them because you have a relationship. It doesn’t have to be hours and hours at a time—30 minutes here, an hour there. 

There are many things you can do to help out at your child’s school. You can work in the library shelving books, mentor or tutor students, or help in the front office. Maybe you’d like to organize or work at fundraising activities like bake sales or car washes. Lunchroom and playground monitors are always needed. The needs vary from one school to the next, so ask your child’s teacher how you can contribute. 

When you are busy at work or home, trying to get a thousand things done and someone comes up and offers to help you for free… you feel grateful. You want to do something for them in return. You feel kindness towards them. The same goes for your child’s teachers. If you make copies, grade papers, or bake cookies for the office staff, they will appreciate it greatly!

This relationship you have now formed with your child’s teachers and school staff will help you ensure that if your child has a bullying issue, it will be taken care of quickly. And if it is not, you will know who to speak to in order to get it resolved.

Ask questions. It’s important to ask how much time the various tasks might take or how long your help with them will be needed. Will it cost you anything or are there funds to help pay for the costs that are associated with your volunteer activity? For example, if you volunteer to be a chaperone on the choir trip, are your transportation and admission costs paid for by the choir boosters or will you have to pay for those things out of your pocket? Will you be riding the bus, or are you expected to take your own car? If you use your car, does the school’s insurance cover you?

There are so many things that schools need help with that there’s sure to be something you can do. All you have to do is ask. The benefits of your gift of time will help not only you and your child, but other children at the school as well. Need more reasons to get involved? Check out 5 Reasons You Should Volunteer at Your Child’s School, Why Be a School Volunteer and Getting Involved at Your Child’s School for more ideas.