As the new school year begins, it brings the start of fundraising and volunteering requests. Your involvement in your child’s class is important – it helps you stay involved in his/her learning and promotes success in school. However, school volunteering can quickly become overwhelming. Check out these tips to make "pitching in" work for you and your family’s busy schedule:
1. Help from Home: Offer to volunteer remotely updating the class website or Pinterest boards, assembling art supplies or planning class parties.
2. Be Selective: Find a volunteer job you truly enjoy. If you have a green thumb, help in the school garden; if you love to read, volunteer to be a reading buddy or staff the book fair. Time will fly when you’re having fun!
3. Stay Organized: Never forget when it’s your turn to read to the class, chaperone the field trip or bring snack to soccer. Put a reminder in your phone or post it on the shared family calendar.
4. Ask Early: At the beginning of the school year, send the teacher a note explaining that you have limited time to volunteer but would like to find a way to help the classroom. This allows the teacher to make suggestions, and together you can find creative ways to pitch in.
5. Find a Balance: Consider the numerous children’s activities needing your time – school, sports, Scout troops, religious education, etc. – and be realistic about how much time you can give. If you’re the class Room Mom this year, perhaps let someone else take a turn as the Scout Troop Leader and sign up instead to bring snacks to shop for a craft.
6. No time? Donate! If you just can’t find the time to volunteer, you can give back in other ways, like cutting out office supply coupons for teachers or contributing to a class project.
7. Have fun
7. Have fun
