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Volunteering at a public school can be an excellent way to spend your spare time. Not only will you be able to help children and your local school district, you will likely find the experience of volunteering personally rewarding. This guide is designed to teach you how to become a public school volunteer.
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Volunteering at a public school can be an excellent way to spend your spare time. Not only will you be able to help children and your local school district, you will likely find the experience of volunteering personally rewarding. This guide is designed to teach you how to become a public school volunteer.
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Introduction
- If you enjoy working with children and have a desire to make your community a better place, becoming a public school volunteer may be a perfect vocation for you. Studies have shown that schools which have an active volunteer program record higher student scores, better attendance rates and have happier and more satisfied teachers. Most public schools are eager to welcome new volunteers into their fold, whether they are parents or other caring members of their community.
Step 1: Join the PTA
- If you have a child enrolled in a local public school, you will likely be welcomed as a volunteer as soon as you mention it. Join the Parent Teacher Association at your child's school and inquire about volunteer opportunities. If there are no volunteer opportunities available, look for areas in which you feel your local school could be improved and offer to help initiate new programs. For example, if your local school does not publish a newsletter, offer to write it. If the school could use funds for new sporting equipment or supplies, create a fund raising proposal.
Step 2: Contact Your Local School Board
- If you do not have children enrolled in a public school, that does not mean that you cannot become a school volunteer. Get in touch with an area principal or your town or city school board and ask about volunteer opportunities. They will likely have several schools and programs you could become involved with. Again, if there are no opportunities that are immediately apparent, be proactive and mention specific ways in which your skills could benefit local schools. If you are a good sewer, offer to create costumes for the next school play; if you have experience in the administrative field, volunteer to help out in the school office.
Step 3: Join a Volunteer Association
- Another way to get started volunteering is to join a national or local volunteer association. These associations can connect you with volunteer opportunities in your area and may also be able to provide you with specialized volunteer training. Examples of such organizations include:
- Project Appleseed (projectappleseed.com)
- 1-800-Volunteer.org
- The National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Local Education (ncipe.org)
- Learning Leaders (learningleaders.org) (New York)
Conclusion
- Most people who try it find that becoming a public school volunteer is a fulfilling and rewarding way to spend their extra time. As a volunteer, you will be helping your community, assisting teachers and spending time with and acting as a mentor to children. Most public schools are eager to welcome new volunteers to their team. However, if you are not immediately able to secure a position as a volunteer, be proactive and mention how your specific talents could be put to use to benefit the school.
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