VOLUNTEERING
INVOLVEMENT AT AND FOR THE SCHOOL
- In schools or classrooms: Assist administrators, teachers, students,
or parents as aides, tutors, coaches, lecturers, chaperones, and other
leaders
- For schools or classrooms: Assist school programs and children's
progress from any location at any time
- As audiences: Attend assemblies, performances, sports events, recognition
and award ceremonies, celebrations, and other events
SAMPLE PRACTICES
- Annual survey to identify interests, talents, and availability of
volunteers
- Parent room or family center for volunteer work, meetings, and resources
for families
- Class parent, telephone tree, or other structures to provide all
families with needed information
- Parent patrols to increase school safety
- Annual review of schedules for students' performances, games, and
assemblies to encourage all families to attend as daytime and evening
audiences
CHALLENGES
- Recruit widely, provide training, and create flexible schedules
for volunteers so that all families know that their time and talents
are welcomed and valued
REDEFINITIONS
- “Volunteer” not only means those who come during the
school day, but also those who support school goals and children’s
learning any way, any time.
RESULTS FOR STUDENTS
- Skills that are tutored or taught by volunteers
- Skills in communicating with adults
RESULTS FOR PARENTS
- Understanding of the teacher's job
- Self-confidence about ability to work in school and with children
- Enrollment in programs to improve own education
RESULTS FOR TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS
- Readiness to involve all families in new ways, not only as volunteers
- More individual attention to students because of help from volunteers
Type
3—Volunteering practices implemented by our members
© Copyright 1996-2006 The Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at Johns Hopkins
University
