EDUCATION

Not everyone can sit on council meetings or help out in the classroom on a regular basis. Yet, according to research, the most successful schools boast parents who are involved in the life and activity of the school. Rest assured, there are dozens of other ways you can use your talents and interests that work with your schedule. Do you drop your child off at school every day? Maybe you can sign on for traffic duty one morning a month. If you can’t commit to an ongoing duty, perhaps you can volunteer for a one-time-only event, such as helping out in the wings during the annual winter concert. Whatever you choose, your presence will strengthen the school and you’ll show your child how much you value her education.

A little brainstorming will help you discover your niche. Consider volunteering for one of these community builders:
• Be a judge for the science fair.
• Start an after-four program. You can sign up instructors for the programs (there are many organizations that will provide this service) or lead your own chess, drama or arts and crafts group.
• Organize a crafts fair with other parents to raise money for the school. You can also invite local businesses to donate products.
• Work on your school’s “safe arrival” committee. On a rotating basis, you will phone caregivers to double-check on children who have not arrived at school, but whose parents haven’t phoned to say they’d be absent.
• Attend school concerts. Clap loudly!
• Keep the school’s garden blossoming over the summer.
• Give a presentation to a few classes about your work or hobby.
• Get to know your child’s teachers and her classmates’ parents by organizing a potluck dinner. Have the school host the dinner in the gym, and ask each grade to bring a different course, an appetizer, main course or dessert.
• Collect the recipes for those delicious potluck meals and create a school cookbook.
• Volunteer to coach a team. Or, if you’re a real fitness nut, get a “fun run” group together for a daily or weekly session before the morning bell.
• Videotape a school concert for the school’s archives.
• Contribute used sports equipment, books and clothing to an old-fashioned swap meet.
• Write an article for the school newsletter on a topic dear to your heart.

Originally published in Today's Parent, September 2005