Can I volunteer in my neighborhood elementary school without my kids attending it?

[Anonymous]

Not creepy--first of all, maybe OP is choosing a religious school, so this assumption "the school is not good enough for her snowflake" might be off.

Secondly, my kids went to a Catholic school very close by and they rely heavily on volunteers. I worked at the clinic, with a shift one day every other week, because they have no nurse.

Anyways, my kids transferred out, one after the other, before the final 8th grade year because I wanted them to matriculate to a school that starts in 7th (so they both left after 6th grade). The new school is out of the neighborhood, and doesn't have a system for volunteers--they are well-funded and have many employees.

I asked the Catholic if I could keep on working at the clinic--I like the kids and know them, and I also know it's a way of helping out my neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone! I will give them a call.

[Anonymous]

I'm at a Title One school and our laminator/copy person volunteers a few days a week. She is the nicest lady and she doesn't have any kids. She is retired and her husband died so she decided to volunteer to occupy her time. She does nearly all of the copies that go home with students in different colored paper and knows how to change the laminator so she does most of that too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Fine. If I am not welcomed on the school grounds is there any way I can help to improve the school apart from paying taxes and occasional donations?

The majority of responses indicated that you'd have to go through the standard volunteer process that everyone - parent or not does. (training and background check)
Don't let a few weirdos on DCUM prevent you from volunteering. There are many schools who would love your help!

[Anonymous]

OP, what you want to do is amazing! Don't listen to the naysayers here. When I resided in another state I used to volunteer with ESOL students. My children didn't attend the school, but this school desperately needed volunteers. Actually, I met many awesome mothers at this school who were volunteers, but their children attended other schools. It's truly a blessing when individuals care to lend a helping hand where there is need.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, in addition to the background check, you must undergo training in recognizing and reporting child abuse. It is expected that you report to CPS anything that indicates a child is being abused or neglected. You also must report if a child makes an accusation against a parent or a staff member, even if you have reason to believe the child is lying.

I'm a MCPS employee and mandatory reporter due to my job. I still had to undergo the volunteer training.

Do they insist that all parent volunteers go through that kind of training in order to be a field trip chaperone or help out with a class party?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, in addition to the background check, you must undergo training in recognizing and reporting child abuse. It is expected that you report to CPS anything that indicates a child is being abused or neglected. You also must report if a child makes an accusation against a parent or a staff member, even if you have reason to believe the child is lying.

I'm a MCPS employee and mandatory reporter due to my job. I still had to undergo the volunteer training.

Do they insist that all parent volunteers go through that kind of training in order to be a field trip chaperone or help out with a class party?

No. It's regular contact they are concerned about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, in addition to the background check, you must undergo training in recognizing and reporting child abuse. It is expected that you report to CPS anything that indicates a child is being abused or neglected. You also must report if a child makes an accusation against a parent or a staff member, even if you have reason to believe the child is lying.

I'm a MCPS employee and mandatory reporter due to my job. I still had to undergo the volunteer training.

Do they insist that all parent volunteers go through that kind of training in order to be a field trip chaperone or help out with a class party?

No. There is a short online training that you need to for field trips or class parties. That's it.

Please volunteer!! The schools really need you.