My husband and I both volunteer as much time as we can at our children’s school. We do this for a few reasons.
#1 – Our kids are still young enough to “love” it. They love that their friends get to see us. They love that they can run up for one last cuddle. They love that their friends have to say Good Morning to us (albeit in what I can only describe as being the most whiny uninterested tone).
#2 – It’s important for me to feel a part of the school community and feel that I know the Teachers who are educating and molding my children’s young minds. After all, I don’t let just “Anyone” supervise my kids outside of School Hours so why should it be any different during School Hours.
But there are 5 things you should know before you step in to the classroom.
1: It doesn’t matter how rushed you are, you NEED to have a cup of coffee before going. We volunteer in the mornings so it is especially crucial for us as we never quite know when we are getting out of there.
2: Don’t wear White, Dry Clean Only Clothes, High Heels or Low Cut Tops. It should be self explanatory why; if not, just accept my advice as tried and tested.
3: Remember your place – You are NOT a teacher – don’t pretend to be one. You are the “Free Help” who has been invited into the room. The Teacher in the room is the person who spent around 3-4 years of their life being educated as one.
4: Don’t go in the class asking the Teacher personal questions (Like : How was your romantic dinner last night?) and referring to them by his or her first name. They have spent weeks/months/all year gaining the respect of the children. Don’t let them down now.
5: Hand Sanitizer – You will need this, especially if you can not immediately come home and shower to de-contaminate your body. There is something “special” about school kids (especially the lower grades). There is always one with yellow (clear if you are lucky) snot running down their face. Then there is the few who are sucking on pencils (yep the one you need to use) and of course the kids who just came back from the toilet with dry hands and toilet paper stuck to their shoe (you pray it’s clean).
Volunteering at your child’s school can be a rewarding experience for both you and your child. It not only benefits the school and the education system, but it also strengthens the parent-child relationship.
One of the main benefits of volunteering at your child’s school is that it helps to build a strong sense of community. You get to know the teachers, staff, and other parents, which can create a supportive environment for your child. Volunteering also allows you to have a greater understanding of the school’s operations, policies, and curriculum, which can help you to support your child’s education better.
Another benefit of volunteering at your child’s school is that it allows you to contribute to the school’s resources. Schools often have limited budgets and rely heavily on volunteers to provide additional support and resources. By volunteering, you can help with fundraising, organizing events, and even donate your time and skills to benefit the school.
Volunteering at your child’s school also helps to model the importance of community involvement and giving back. It teaches your child the value of volunteerism and the importance of helping others. Additionally, by seeing you volunteer, your child learns that their education is a shared responsibility between the school, the family, and the community.
Volunteering at your child’s school is not only important but can also be a rewarding experience. It helps to build a strong sense of community, allows you to contribute to the school’s resources, and teaches your child the value of volunteerism. So, if you have the opportunity, consider volunteering at your child’s school today.
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