Can I volunteer in my neighborhood elementary school without my kids attending it?
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Anonymous
| I am moving into a neighborhood with a pretty average public schools cluster and would like to volunteer in the elementary school. My kids will not be attending these schools. Will I be allowed? |
Anonymous
| In my school this is allowed. There are some retirees within walking distance to the school who volunteer at lunch hour in the cafeteria. Specials teachers and the librarian would probably also like this. This is MoCo. |
Anonymous
| Would not be permitted at my MoCo school. |
Anonymous
| kinda creepy if you ask me |
Anonymous
+1 |
Anonymous
|
I imagine you'll just have to go through the standard background check.
I have a friend who teaches at a school on a military base and she doesn't have many parent volunteers. Her neighbor volunteers in her classroom even though the neighbor's kids go to school in a different district. |
Anonymous
| 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? |
Anonymous
|
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. |
Anonymous
| I know a lot of folks in DC do this--especially in gentrifying neighborhoods. |
Anonymous
Be politically active! There are so many policies at the local, state, and national level that impact what goes on in the school. Learn about candidates for County Council and volunteer for the campaign of the one that you think cares the most about education. |
Anonymous
Why? It's good for property values, ES-age kids are generally fun - why is it strange? - mom of a 1st grader and 3 yr old |
Anonymous
| I am a MCPS educator and don't find this creepy at all. I think it's wonderful for you to offer to volunteer. I'm at a Focus school and we don't have very many volunteers. It would be great to help out. |
Anonymous
| Why not volunteer at your child's school? It depends on the school. Our MCPS refused a lot of people volunteering and just limited it to their favorites. |
Anonymous
| My mom volunteers at my school but not in my classroom. She used to volunteer in my DD's school years after she graduated. Check and see if there are any volunteer opportunities like Reading Recovery. |
Anonymous
Her kids don't even go to the school. Why volunteer at her neighborhood school that isn't good enough for her special snowflakes to attend? 
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