Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 15:10     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Relatively cheap schools tend to be relatively cheap because the parents are expected to step it up as volunteers.

My kids' school has a point system, and -- while it is quietly mentioned as possible to buy out of it -- most parents try to put together jobs that would reach four points, where the modal four-pointer is something like "help out with morning drop-off once a week" and a one-pointer is "organize Pi day celebration" or "time students' Presidential fitness tests". But the fact that you're already volunteering a bunch of time with the school means that you have more people drift in to help out with other, non-point bearing jobs like chaperoning field trips.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 12:14     Subject: Re:Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
I would agree most Catholic schools have a strong volunteer component. When people talk about the community of the schools it is usually b/c of the volunteer opportunities.

At our school our CYO program alone had more than 120 volunteer coaches. Not to mention the field trips, field day, holiday parties, etc.

Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 12:10     Subject: Re:Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
[youtube]As an adult who's mom always volunteered, I can tell you the only feeling I have/had was embarrassment. Literally nothing else.


I think this is a you issue.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 11:50     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
At Beauvoir there are a lot of opportunities to volunteer and when we were there (child in US now) it ran the gamut from heavy lifting as an auction chair to being a mystery reader. There was something for everyone. At NCS, the volunteer opportunities are fewer but volunteers are appreciated. In my experience, it’s more behind the scenes stuff and not anything in the classrooms. Most school activities, even dances, are chaperoned by teachers which is appropriate.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 11:20     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Our school has a lot of parent participation - it's usually related to tangental additions to school - it's not "in the classroom replacement of teacher duties" as others are suggesting here. I think there is just one grade (for some reason?) have parents volunteer once a week to help with "teacher work" (like photocopying). I've never quite understood why that grade (or teacher team) needed that support. No idea if it has continued. Otherwise - its PA supported work - classroom parties - field trip chaperones - schoolwide events. It's a great community.


Former public school parent and our elementary used parent volunteers for this. Teachers have such limited planning time and are often covering for each other that this is one of those things that is monotonous, and anyone can do. Same with little things like stapling packets or using the paper cutter to cut up materials for class. It's administrivia that needs to be done but doesn't take a teaching degree. If I could take an hour of my time to ease the burden on my child's teacher, I would.

We weren't in private school in elementary so YMMV.


Doesn't require my masters degree, either.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 11:19     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Mary of Nazareth


If you can tolerate the insufferable moms in their Darnestown “mansions.” Chevy Chase has nothing on them! (snicker)


The level of accuracy made me chuckle. Good one
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 10:54     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:Our school has a lot of parent participation - it's usually related to tangental additions to school - it's not "in the classroom replacement of teacher duties" as others are suggesting here. I think there is just one grade (for some reason?) have parents volunteer once a week to help with "teacher work" (like photocopying). I've never quite understood why that grade (or teacher team) needed that support. No idea if it has continued. Otherwise - its PA supported work - classroom parties - field trip chaperones - schoolwide events. It's a great community.


Former public school parent and our elementary used parent volunteers for this. Teachers have such limited planning time and are often covering for each other that this is one of those things that is monotonous, and anyone can do. Same with little things like stapling packets or using the paper cutter to cut up materials for class. It's administrivia that needs to be done but doesn't take a teaching degree. If I could take an hour of my time to ease the burden on my child's teacher, I would.

We weren't in private school in elementary so YMMV.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 09:26     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think many parents under-estimate the value children get when their parent is present and volunteering in the School. I don't see the time I volunteer at the school as "doing someone else's job" or something that I can rub a little money on to avoid doing. Kids remember this sort of stuff and they see you when you are taking the time every once in a while to come to their class and read a book. So sure...rub a little money on it and don't come into school. Meanwhile, I will be happily donating my time, befriending the teachers, and getting all the tea.


As an adult who's mom always volunteered, I can tell you the only feeling I have/had was embarrassment. Literally nothing else.


You’re a pill
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 09:24     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think many parents under-estimate the value children get when their parent is present and volunteering in the School. I don't see the time I volunteer at the school as "doing someone else's job" or something that I can rub a little money on to avoid doing. Kids remember this sort of stuff and they see you when you are taking the time every once in a while to come to their class and read a book. So sure...rub a little money on it and don't come into school. Meanwhile, I will be happily donating my time, befriending the teachers, and getting all the tea.


As an adult who's mom always volunteered, I can tell you the only feeling I have/had was embarrassment. Literally nothing else.


And she didn’t learn to spell!
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 09:23     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Let's pay lots of tuition and require parents to do someone else's job


Whenever I need reassurance that I made the right decision by sending my kids to public, comments like this serve to remind me.


Really?

It has the opposite impact on me. I'd take engaged parent community over a disengaged one any day! We're in a different city at a small private, some parents participate a lot, others, like me, work and don't do so much. My kids benefit from all the great parties they throw and our family benefits from all the community activities they organize - movies on the lawn, bingo night, trivia night, fun runs, and more city events that would definitely out me if I shared them because they are unique to this city and few schools participate.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 09:19     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Our school has a lot of parent participation - it's usually related to tangental additions to school - it's not "in the classroom replacement of teacher duties" as others are suggesting here. I think there is just one grade (for some reason?) have parents volunteer once a week to help with "teacher work" (like photocopying). I've never quite understood why that grade (or teacher team) needed that support. No idea if it has continued. Otherwise - its PA supported work - classroom parties - field trip chaperones - schoolwide events. It's a great community.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 08:57     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:Let's pay lots of tuition and require parents to do someone else's job


You realize the tuition you pay for your DC does not cover the actual cost of educating your DC?
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 08:50     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:Mary of Nazareth


If you can tolerate the insufferable moms in their Darnestown “mansions.” Chevy Chase has nothing on them! (snicker)
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 08:29     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Mary of Nazareth


HAHAHAHA
no


Why the laugh?
Genuinely curious for your response.
Anonymous
Post 04/16/2024 08:21     Subject: Privates with the best parent volunteerism?
Anonymous wrote:I think many parents under-estimate the value children get when their parent is present and volunteering in the School. I don't see the time I volunteer at the school as "doing someone else's job" or something that I can rub a little money on to avoid doing. Kids remember this sort of stuff and they see you when you are taking the time every once in a while to come to their class and read a book. So sure...rub a little money on it and don't come into school. Meanwhile, I will be happily donating my time, befriending the teachers, and getting all the tea.


As an adult who's mom always volunteered, I can tell you the only feeling I have/had was embarrassment. Literally nothing else.