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How often do you volunteer at your child's elementary school?
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Anonymous
I'm a SAHM and volunteered in my son's K classroom today--mostly helping with the cutting for the weekly projects. I LOVE my son's teacher and she works so hard and does such a wonderful job with the kids. Many if not most of other classroom moms are working and unavailable to volunteer on a regular basis. As I was leaving today I asked the teacher how often she would like me to come in (I was thinking about once a week) and she told me she would like me to come in every morning, if possible. My youngest is in preschool for a few hours each morning so my calendar is open but I like to use the time to exercise and take care of my own personal business. I'm kicking myself for agreeing to more than I'm comfortable with, especially since I really like this teacher so much and she obviously really needs the help. I now need to e-mail her and tell her that I can only do it once or twice a week. Do I suck? 
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Anonymous
| No - you're great. Thanks for taking up the slack for the rest of us folks - even if it is 1-2 times a week - it's more than I can do - I've managed to volunteer all of 2x since school started. I work 45 minutes away from school, so I have to take the day off to do it. |
Anonymous
| No, you don't suck. I'm sure she will appreciate anything you can do. I volunteer in my son's K classroom once/month and I'd do it more if I could, but the volunteer schedule is full. I think that once/week would be ideal for me. |
Anonymous
| I do an hour once a week, and I think every morning would be a lot! |
Anonymous
| I volunteer 2-3x/month. I don't know what some of the early elem teachers do when they don't have a volunteer or a paraeducator. When I volunteer it always seems like they could use 2 or 3 extra adults in the room. Not to pick on boys, because I'm a mother of boys, but I'd say 8 of 10 boys in the first grade room are not able to sit still for five minutes. The teacher's time is 90% about correcting behavior and only 10% instruction. |
Anonymous
| When will schools get the picture that their expectations are too high for many students esp 5 yr old boys? |
Anonymous
| I might offer to contact other parents through e-mail and set up a calendar of helpers. I assume you are not the only SAHM and even working moms/dads/grandparents can sometimes fit a few hours in. I think everyday is a HUGE amount to ask for from one parent. With two small children that time is presious to you! |
Anonymous
| Once a month for 3 or 4 hrs. Less or more depending on work schedule. Easily 1/3 of the parents at the kids school do this. I'm not doing much more than anyone else, I'd bet. We also pay the PTA 6-$700 over the course of the year for 3 kids (such a bargain after 20K in DC income and property taxes!). We love our school and really love our teachers and principal. |
Anonymous
| Every day!!! Did she offer to pay you some of her salary??? |
Anonymous
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How many kids and is there an teacher's aide in the room as well? That seems like a lot.
I have volunteered twice so far, and they were most of a day each time. I work full time. I expect it will run at a level of about once a month b/c of distance to the school from my office. |
Anonymous
| OP here...I volunteered again today and told the teacher that this week I can do every day but in future weeks I can't necessarily do it...I told her I can definitely commit to once a week without fail but beyond that I need to play it by ear. She was very understanding but I could tell that she was a bit disappointed. The truth is, I'm sure I'll volunteer more than once a week but I don't want to commit to that off the bat...I need to go week-by-week and figure out what I can do. This school is wonderful but most of the parents are working and they really depend upon parent volunteers...I see that they really do need the help and I want to do as much as I can. I must admit that I felt so guilty...I'm such a people-pleaser and I didn't want to let his teacher down...coupled with guilt for having free time as a SAHM and not doing anything "useful" with it (though I do need some time to myself, which I rarely get). Thanks for the input. |
Anonymous
| OP, who is your room parent?-- that person usually is in charge of volunteer requests. I agree with PP who said get a list of names and sent out an e-blast requesting volunteers. I am volunteering once a week for reading. |
Anonymous
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"This school is wonderful but most of the parents are working and they really depend upon parent volunteers"
Cutting up stuff for kindergarteners? Sounds like busy work. Grow a spinal column. Learn how to say no to this B.S. |
Anonymous
Well, do you expect to actually be teaching the class? I keep seeing people on here refer to volunteer work in the class room as "busy work" as if they are too good to help out. If I am cutting up things and photocopying, it means the teacher has more time to devote to actually teaching my kids, preparing lessons, etc. Get over yourself. |
Anonymous
OP here...believe it or not, it took me two hours to complete this busy work, and DS's teacher would have to do it otherwise--she simply doesn't have the time. She doesn't need all that much additional support in the classroom ...there are 18 kids and she has things very much under control. My spinal column is firmly in place...but I do need to learn to say no. |