Moms or dads who volunteer at your child's school.....

[luvgrumpy]

Watch out volunteering. It's addictive. I've been at our local elementary since DD was in K and she is in college now. DS has also moved on from elementary but I'm still there. I love it.

 

[EthansMom]

I attend PTO meetings (and volunteer to "help" with PTO activities, but haven't wanted to be "in charge" of anything yet). So far, I have worked a shift at the Scholastic Book Fair, which wasn't bad.

I help out every 2 weeks with DS's class's Computer Class. I really feel like I'm making a difference there. I also volunteer occasionally for field trips and the like.

At our small school, the women (lots of SAHMs here, so it's usually the Moms) who attend PTO and volunteer for learning activities are a completely different group of women from those who are the room Moms and do the parties and craft activities. That's okay... it takes all types.

 

[mjkacmom]

At my daughters school you can not be a class parent unless you attend PTA meetings. We have yet to "fire" one for not showing up since most do but other schools in the district have "fired" their class mothers for not attending repeatedly. I am class mom for my daughters class this year with another mother, we are the only ones that plan and show up at the class parties, no other parents can be in the classroom at all as helpers or whatever and I really prefer it that way. I don't want an adult I don't know in the class room all day and I know what happens when the schools do allow it. My friends district does and when she and the other moms get together its a major gossip fest as to which kid is bad, which kid can't read a lick, which kid wears old clothes etc...I don't think parents of other children should be able to have that knowledge and be able to gossip about other people kids like that, its terrible.



Why would a parent be running an art class??? Don't they have an Art teacher for that??

Our schools are the same way - no parents allowed! Door are locked, and you have to sign in, and although there are class moms, parents do not volunteer at the schools. We have teachers to teach specials, and people are hired as aides for lunchtime. I'm sure it's a security issue.

 

[mickeyboat]

(I'm waiting to hear how the heck to do that. )

I am the Box Tops Queen (as I like to call myself) at my kids' school too. Your former coordinator should have given you some information regarding what needs to be done. There is a website where your school should be registered and you should have an ID number. The program should have your mailing address so they can provide you with whatever information you need. My materials are at home, but if you would like, I can bring them in tomorrow and give you the website address.

Box Tops need to be cut (argh! I had the same box from hell last summer), sorted, counted and bagged in bags of 50. There is a submission form which needs to accompany any shipment. I also used delivery confirmation when I shipped the box. The cut-off dates are October 31, and some time in April (I think), and checks are mailed out about 6 weeks after the cut off date.

I collect Box Tops from the collection box every two months, and cut and bag them so it is not so onerous a task when it comes time to send them in. We have the kids write their names on the back of their Box Tops, and we have a drawing for a small prize every other month. The website has a list of promotional materials you can buy to help promote participation in the program. I bought magnets for everyone and gave our ziploc bags with stickers on them to remind people to clip. I also asked at the PTA meeting that everyone cut their Box Tops as closely as they can so I don't have to get carpal tunnel cutting them myself (and it has improved).

I like doing Box Tops because it is something I don't have to meet with everyone about, and can do it on my own time. I am also a PTA member, and I am on a couple of committees. DD wants me to come into the classroom in the worst way, but it is tough since I work full time. I can't make a long-term committment.

Well, I guess that is long enough.

Denae

 

[pennst8r]

I got involved in PTA because we had just moved to this city and I knew no one, and nothing about the schools besides a sheet of statistics. I'm lucky that it was a good situation, without all the cattiness I'm reading about. Ok--a little cattiness. But it's kind of fun to watch those people make fools of themselves trying to be the center of attention.

I help out in youngest DS's class with centers--by the time they reach 4th and 5th there is little to do but bring in treats! Class parent, and next year PTA co-pres. (co- because no one wants to do it! ) I sub as an aide.

I like being there because I get to know the principal, teachers, staff. I can't imagine not being involved, but I know it's not like this everywhere.

 

[parrothead365]

I coach the middle school boys soccer team. I enjoy it. It gives me a chance to be around some really fine young men and hopefully have a positive impact on some of them.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

I feel the same way - will do anything for the kids and the teachers....but avoid PTA meetings and committees.

I started out just volunteering in the classroom and putting in my hour or two at after school PTA run events. The attitudes on some of those women were enough to put me off.

I am now doing a major project - Santa shoppe - and thought it was something to do more or less without too much interaction, don't have to attend the meetings, etc.....the little bit of politics I have had to deal with and attitudes from some of the PTA mom's is just unbelievable. I just keep reminding myself that I am doing it for the kids and the school!!!

I have also thought I would like to do the box tops - we basically just collect them and send them in - don't do incentives or anything beyond that.....I could handle that as well..as I would be doing on my own more or less.

 

[rie'smom]

I was on the board of DD's school,so I was on alot of committees. Also,I read tests to kids who have that accommodation.Once in a great while,I sub but ask not to get paid.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My DS goes to a Catholic school. So its all volunteer, no PTO to fall back on or support from, just us.

I am a homeroom mom, playground duty, Made baskets for a chinese auction at the Christmas concert, accompany the school on field trips and help out with the end of the year party. I must have volunteered too much because I am now on the "person who organizes everthing" email list. Whenever enough moms don't volunteer for things, she'll send out a blanket email of hey we need help with this.

DS may go to the public school next year and i'm making sure my volunteer duties will be cut way low. But then DD will be in pre-school, so I'll probably just transfer my efforts there.

Yes, I do enjoy it. I think if you don't, then its time for a break or figure out some other aspect to be involved.

 

[castleview]

I was a "center helper" once a month for kindergarten - I loved that. Now that DD7 is in first grade, that's not available. I went into to do a craft before Christmas just to let DD know I'm "into" her education.

I've run the plant sale for the PTO (which is a very easy non-fundraiser in her school), and help out at PTO events...oh yeah, I'm also on the Playground Committee.

I try to be involved for my kid's sake, just letting them know that school is important. However, I try not to be there too much because many parents go overboard. Today DD asked why I don't come visit her during lunch. That's just not my thing.

To the OP, I agree with the party planning. So far DD's teachers have been very smart and have divided up holday parties so that only one room mom is in charge of each holiday.

I haven't done the room mom thing yet, but one room mom already complained to me about non-room moms coming in for crafts. I like this woman, but when she said "well, then what's the point of being a room mother if somebody else is going to steal your thunder?", I nearly hit the floor laughing.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I was mainly a "teacher's helper" when my son was in elementary school...helped in the classroom, did the copying and mimeography (yeah, they still have those!). Volunteered for some book sales and parties. I'm not the sort who works well in committees, so I restricted myself to being a "do-er", not a planner. Really had fun volunteering for field day, running games and such.

 

[castleview]

I'm not the sort who works well in committees, so I restricted myself to being a "do-er", not a planner. Really had fun volunteering for field day, running games and such.

That sums up me! Tell me what to do and I'll do it, but don't expect me to show initiative.

 

[luvmy2sams]

I'm currently the PTF president at DD8's school. After being privy to lots of inside meetings over the past year, DH and I have decided to pull DD out of this school when our contract is up in May. Sometimes being oblivious to reality is really the way to go.

Our school only has 85 kids (PK-8th grade) and only about 10% of the families help out. This means that the PTF officers get to wear lots of different hats. I've been in charge of running the school fundraisers, the school store, overseeing the PTF finances, and helping to revise school policies during this school year.

I'm also homeroom mom (another no one else wants to do it thing), and I volunteer to help with reading class once a week.

The only thing that keeps me from dropping it all and walking away is that I'm doing it for the benefit of my daughter. I only wish I didn't have to do so much....is it May yet?

 

[lbgraves]

I'm currently the PTF president at DD8's school. After being privy to lots of inside meetings over the past year, DH and I have decided to pull DD out of this school when our contract is up in May. Sometimes being oblivious to reality is really the way to go.

You aren't kidding. 2 years ago I helped out with PTO. Last year I was secretary. I learned and didn't do it this year but still ended up helping out alot in the beginning of the year. The PTO pres this year has had it. Her DH & kids have had it too. There are too few people trying to do everything with little to no help or support. The teachers put their hands out for the money we raise but they don't want to help earn it and talk about us behind our backs complaining. Next year they wont have the pres, me, the sec who is leaving with the pres and the treasurer has also said that she will leave. I am anxious to see what happens...although I do NOT want my kids going there next year. Rumor has it that the principal is on her way out the door and that might make me give the school another chance but if she stays, we are leaving. I am really angered by some of the things happening "behind the scenes" that show the kids are not the primary focus of the administration.

 

[geetey]

Yep - there can be a lot of truth in the statement that oblivion is bliss... After being on the PTO board for 4 years, a sub for 3 years, coach, AR mom, room mom, Scholastic Bookfair chair, etc., you start learning *too* much about things. It just led to too much frustration. When we moved and had to pick a new school, I decided not to get over-involved here. Now I just volunteer for 'shift' work (bookfair, scrip order filled - okay, so I still coach).

Pea N Me - our BoxTops (old school) had a large backload of boxtops to be trimmed and bagged appropriately. I checked with our administration and since we had kids in need of service hours, I got a lot of help that way. These were high school students at the local high school who also had siblings at our elementary school, who had parents willing to make sure they trimmed and bagged them correctly. We also did a contest for most BoxTops per grade, so I did all of the counting for the contest but sent the boxtops in bulk to our cutter/baggers. With our volume, it worked out great and may be an option for you.

Our current school doesn't run contests so I don't know if they get as many boxtops, but our 8th graders need service hours so they would be an option here. Hope that helps a little.

 

[Caleb's Mom]

Any Campbell's soup label parent volunteers out there? That's my job for my son's school. I like it because I work full time and feel like it's something I can do on weekends or while watching TV late at night. BUT, it's pretty thankless. They all need to be cut, bundled into batches of 500 and then tied with string. The return is also pretty low. It's about 9 billion labels for a soccer ball.

 

[MamaLema]

I really enjoyed being a parent volunteer. Maybe because I never dealt with other parents.

Every day the kids switched books to take home to read so I helped them. I cut a lot of paper ready for art and glued worksheets into the kids' workbooks. With A.M. and P.M. classes, this could take up a lot of time.

The teacher was always grateful to me and that's why I did it for so many years.

 

[luvdzne]

I volunteer at dd's school and I have to agree that the party planning part is the least favorable job. I finally said no more this year. Now I work in the learning center, classroom and I type up books that the children create.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

... for the BoxTop information. As it turns out, we were all "new" at this this year (probably due to reasons as outlined in the last few posts ) so there wasn't any prior information to go by.

I did register myself and our school on the BoxTops website. However, there isn't a lot of technical information available there; for that I've had to email specific questions. I knew I had to do groups of 50 from the last email. I just received another email which gave me something to download about how to send them in. Sheesh.

The old boxload of BoxTops we finally got through cutting and sorting. As for new ones this year, we sent a note home to parents asking them to trim them all before sending them to school (as well as sent home magnetized envelopes for people to keep on their fridges). That's helped a lot - almost all of the new ones were cut properly. We also have parents who help count and sort, which, as others have stated, allows people to "help out" from home. I had more volunteers for that than I could use, and we all stay in touch via a group email.

As for the rewards, we are awarding the class who collects the most every two months. We didn't want to use up all the profits on prizes, so DH created "coupons" which each child in the class can use to buy a 15 cent item in the school bookstore (but which the store only charges the PTO 10 cents for). It's not huge, but it makes the kids happy to go to the store and buy a little something (like pencils, erasers or stickers, etc). The winning class is also announced at school assembly.

For me, getting all of this into place was a bit of a headache initially, but I think we finally have our system down pat, and hopefully from here it will be relatively easy.

I appreciate the time you took to post, and I know where to come if I need more info. Thanks again!

 

[McKelly]

I volunteer everyday in my DS Kindergarten class and I love it!! I take attendance, do lunch count, take the kids to the library to exchange books, do ABC centers and then my DS's teacher is working on her master's and her project includes sending books and activiites home everyday with the kids, so I exchange those out as they come back. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I also help in my 2nd grade DD's class for reading.

I also do one thing for the PTK, which is a popcorn fundraiser once a month to raise money for food gift baskets for needy families during the holidays. When I took that over, (as another poster had mentioned), I suddenly had 3 or 4 women calling me telling me how to do it. I was a little annoyed. The PTK ASKED ME to do this, because they couldn't find anybody else, and suddenly everyone else, who COULDN'T do it, suddenly had the time to boss me around. Go figure! And even though I do a fundraiser for PTK, I still don't go to the meetings. I don't think much gets accomplished, just a lot of bickering from what I understand.

Anyway, I agree with volunteering in the classroom. Very rewarding! Stay away from the adults! Kids only!! J/K!! LOL!!