While we parents have a lot in common, we also have differences in our timetables and availability, resources, skills, and cultural backgrounds. In some families, the everyday duties of school runs or homework assistance may be allocated to one parent, and single parents run many families. Each family and circumstance is unique.
Use volunteering online forms / questionnaires to quickly determine what type of volunteering positions parents may be interested in. In addition to providing options that a parent may check, consider adding open questions that let parents contribute ideas and describe interests. Your list may include some of the following volunteering opportunities for parent engagement, but be sure to allow parents to contribute, in their own words, how they can give back to the school community.
Volunteering
One-time and recurring volunteers in the classroom and around the campus increase the sense of community. Provide ample opportunities with flexible ways to sign up for one or multiple sessions.
#1 Classroom Volunteer
Volunteering in the classroom is rewarding for both parents and students. Students are eager to welcome visitors into the classroom. Based on parents’ interests, create a schedule that allows weekly volunteering opportunities in class. Use a paper-based or an online signup feature to maintain and manage schedules. Encourage one-time volunteering opportunities to recurring opportunities.
#2 Campus Volunteer
Parents’ professions or skills often align with the school’s practical and students’ educational needs. Handyman skills, knowledge of gardening practices, exceptional understanding of fishing and camping, and artistry and craft skills all contribute to a thriving school community. Encourage parents who may hesitate with academic volunteering tasks, for example, due to perceived language barriers, to share their valuable knowledge in their field on their terms. Feriazzo and Hammond describe in their book Building Parent Engagement in Schools (2009) how immigrant parents shared gardening techniques, practices, and tools and had far more experience than the school staff.
#3 Career Speaker
Invite a parent to talk about their profession and career. Before the meeting, students may prepare questions. There is nothing more inspiring than hearing directly from a parent. Parents who have degrees and careers in engineering and science may volunteer during the science class; parents with degrees in Humanities in the Humanities class.
#4 Entrepreneurship Speaker
Invite an entrepreneur parent to inspire and educate students on entrepreneurship. Have students prepare questions.
#5 Culture Speaker
Many parents have traveled extensively, lived abroad, or moved to the USA from another country. These parents are an incredible knowledge resource and an inspiration for students to learn more about the cultures and countries these parents have first-hand knowledge of. If the class is studying a specific topic that aligns with parents’ cultural knowledge, invite parents to share their experiences. Or the class may schedule a special session to study a particular country and its culture.
#6 Special Reader
Invite a parent to read in a classroom or host a special day dedicated to reading. Parents can bring their books to share with the class.
#7 Chaperone Volunteer
Parents can help to drive students from out-of-campus field trips, class events, and sports events. These activities can be valuable in boosting student participation in after-school activities offered outside campus.
#8 Lunchroom Monitor / Cafeteria Volunteer
Many schools invite parents to volunteer in the lunchroom or school cafeteria. Online signup and scheduling are of great help. A parent can help coordinate students to their tables, help younger ones open hard-to-open packages, and help clean up. This volunteering work is concrete and highly appreciated in schools.
#9 Weekend Meal Distributor
If your school connects with local non-profits, such as a Food Bank, to help distribute weekend meals for those in need, invite parents to help coordinate the efforts.
#10 Bilingual Spanish-speaking Volunteer
Bilingual parents can be an incredible resource in providing administrative and translation services to the Latino community in the school.
#11 Event Volunteer
The school’s special events call for parent volunteers. Halloween parties, Christmas parties, Valentine’s Day parties, and Easter Egg Hunt are familiar parties that need parents’ help to organize them. Parents may contribute time and supplies, and their presence will live up and connect the community.
#12 Fundraiser
Schools rely on community fundraising. Parents can use their social media platforms to spread the word about fundraising events and extend their reach beyond the school’s circle. Participating in a fundraising event is a direct way to engage and give back.
#13 Coach
Afterschool athletic programs, such as soccer, football, and basketball, require coaches, assistant coaches, managers, and assistant managers. Parents can contribute to these positions.
#14 Band or Marching Band Assistant
The music teacher or band lead can use a hand and help from a parent with a passion for music.
#15 School Dismissal Assistant
Directing traffic and helping students navigate their way during afternoon school dismissal is an important volunteer position.
#16 Media/Communications Volunteer
Parents may contribute their professional skills by taking administrative tasks as community admins for social platforms, newsletter creators, or school news curators.
#17 Teacher’s Assistant
A school may have more direct needs for a special assistant in a class. The volunteering may include contributing to a language class or helping with practical tasks such as organizing papers and filling folders.
Parent Committees
#18 PTA / PTO Member
Encourage parents to join the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) or Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). Membership in a parent organization is a clear path to parent volunteering and participation.
#19 Member of a Group or Committee for Men
Consider establishing a special committee for dads. Many schools recognize that men are significant in supporting a positive school culture. More than 5000 schools have joined a national The Dads of Great Students (Watch D.O.G.S) program that promotes positive male role models for the students.
#20 Teacher Appreciation Committee Member
This committee will meet around a meaningful mission of organizing concrete ways to show teacher appreciation. The roles may include communicating the needs to parents and volunteering on particular tasks during allocated times.
#21 Social Committee Member
Parents will enjoy organizing social events that create meaningful connections with low-level entry. How about a breakfast with parents or a social gathering in a coffee shop? A pickleball tournament or a trip to a winery? Brainstorming ideas is convenient and accessible in a private communication feed for the committee.
#22 School Beautification Committee Member
Interconnected to sharing special skills, parents may set an example of ecological awareness and caring for the grounds. They may organize events for various beautification projects such as a composting program, repairing and painting, setting up raised garden beds and planters, planting trees, setting up wildflower gardens, maintaining flower beds and public grounds, etc.
Clubs & Groups
Foster authentic parent connections by creating clubs and parent events – just for parents. Consider building these meaningful community connections by offering aftercare services for families who may need them.
#23 Book Club Member
Reading is a common interest many parents have. Creating a book club is convenient with online groups and scheduling tools.
#24 Culture Club Member
Parents can share their cultures in this group. They may host a special evening with local dishes and media, and each takes turns sharing their background.
#25 Exercise Club Member
Many of us want to improve our physical fitness levels. Parents can be a great peer group. A walking or cross-training fitness group is easy to organize on school grounds. Online tools maintain schedules and signups.
The Takeaway
A school represents a community and, as such, should have multiple interaction points and ways for parents to contribute, volunteer, and give back. Detailing volunteering opportunities, providing flexible schedules, and fostering an open-door policy with an understanding of each home’s unique circumstances can increase parent engagement.
An easy-to-use online platform for parents and administrators increase efficiencies and improve volunteering rates. Showing appreciation to parents who volunteer and engage is also vital. A school communication platform can distribute this message as well.
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