13:31 back to add that while unable to physically be in the school, I volunteered to be the classroom shopper, too. I'd usually tell the teacher at beginning of the school year that I could provide same day supply requests. Extra cleaning wipes? Pencils? Tissues? Paper towels? Sending in via my student from my at home stockpile or I'll leave it at the front office.

Need props? Costumes? Just ask. I used to volunteer for clean up after events because that was something I could dash in and contribute, then leave. More flexibility.

Think outside the box, OP. Volunteer when you can, but make it work for *you.*

I never once in the 12 years as an elementary school parent chaperoned a bus field trip. Not my thing, for a variety of reasons. I did, however, volunteer in the library on a regular basis and worked solo, at home, on a years-long organizational project that benefited the school.

I was a SAHM and unable to get to the school to volunteer for years as I was either pregnant, nursing or a slave to the 1/2 day preschool schedule. I used my precious alone time to sleep.

Decide exactly what you'd like to do and start small. I tiptoed back into volunteering by assembling weekly backpack folders for the kindergarteners - their school work plus scholastic book orders, plus teacher notes plus PTA info.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids attend a private school in DC. We have a 20 hour family volunteering requirement per year. I likely triple this, but it's a good guideline.

Wait a minute. Did you mention volunteering requirement[/b]? Why the heck does a private school require you to volunteer after vacuuming thousands of $ in tuition?

Not PP but the private schools want parental involvement. Ours asks for the same. About half of the children are on scholarship or financial aid and all parents/guardians regardless are required to put in the same volunteer time.

Anonymous wrote:My kids attend a private school in DC. We have a 20 hour family volunteering requirement per year. I likely triple this, but it's a good guideline.

Wait a minute. Did you mention volunteering requirement[/b]? Why the heck does a private school require you to volunteer after vacuuming thousands of $ in tuition?

We get emails asking to help regularly. I help out once a season but I work so I don’t do more then that. My friends who are at home help more frequently. But I volunteer in other places, like Scouts.

IME, teachers set the frequency based not he number of volunteers- anywhere from once or twice a year to once a week. PTA also had volunteer options in the school- like staffing the room where volunteers made copies for teachers, or laminated things for them, or did cut outs for them.

Just please don't be that mom at our school. She volunteers almost everyday, to monitor her child and make sure he doesn't play with certain kids at recess. It's really odd, TBH.

Ours will ask for volunteers for class trips or special events but it's minimal. I volunteer once a week in tbe classroom but thats because i asked/offered. We are a focos school though so a lot of working parents. I am guessing the wealthier schools have more sahms and get inundated with people wanting to volunteer

My kids attend a private school in DC. We have a 20 hour family volunteering requirement per year. I likely triple this, but it's a good guideline.

I agree that's a decent guideline. You don't have to volunteer but you should - it's helpful and gives you more information about your kid.

Have a busy fall at work? Then wait until winter - it's not an exact science, but volunteering at a few different things where you will meet a few different parents is good.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once in Fall, once in Winter, once in Spring.

Your H should do the same .

More is really too much less is fine.

Does everyone agree?

Just trying to see what the norm is.

Also, do you volunteer for classroom specific or school wide functions?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Once in Fall, once in Winter, once in Spring.

Your H should do the same .

More is really too much less is fine.

Does everyone agree?

Just trying to see what the norm is.

Anonymous wrote:Once in Fall, once in Winter, once in Spring.

Your H should do the same .

More is really too much less is fine.

Does everyone agree?

Once in Fall, once in Winter, once in Spring.

Your H should do the same .

More is really too much less is fine.

What is considered "normal" in terms of volunteering in your child's school? The school my child attends is always wanting volunteers and her teacher regularly e-mails about needing volunteers. Although, I work from home I am swamped. Anyone have any advice? Any type you do go in for? What's the best approach?