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Show volunteering, parents silently state that education is important." Time commitments can vary as widely as the programs served. For many, it is enough to spend an hour every week or so helping out in their child's classroom. This is a fabulous way to establish a rapport with the teacher and actually get a feel for what is going on in there! Parents with younger children usually find this the easiest way to get involved with their child's education. McPolin parent Nancy Barth emphasizes this, "Being around school a lot keeps me informed about various schoolwide issues and concerns, as well as how our children are progressing throughout the year." For the parent that is unable to make a regular classroom commitment many other opportunities to be a part of the schools community exist. There are fundraisers, after-school enrichment classes (usually taught by volunteers), tutoring programs, in-school art programs, Dads and Doughnuts reading programs, fluoride distribution, ski programs (which usually come with the added bonus of a ski pass!) science fairs, math mentoring, field trips, track 6hOSSQH91SaM 0008300 Specializing In Black & White or Sepia Intimate or Traditional Portraits Reserve Your Time Now (43S)58-W3 meets, reading, reading and more reading! An hour or so spent at the school's PTA(O) meetings will expose the areas of greatest need for volunteers and introduce all parents to who's who and what's what. Although the preschool and elementary levels seem to prove the best venue for volunteer help, parental involvement does not end there. Park City's middle schools are packed with needs for outside help. Teachers usually have a handle on the day-today classroom time, but welcome expertise in any held. Parents can star as guest lecturers or help plan and implement projects. Dance chaperones, debate mentors, newsletter helpers, student council liaisons, school historians, and PTSO officers are among the myriad of volunteer committees that exist at the middle school level. Particular to the middle school, the Community of Caring group is a volunteer organization that helps teach students to make positive, constructive, moral choices in their lives. And just because you finally got that kid into high school doesn't mean you t T ' 'Wf should disappear from their educational scene. Lisa Kirchenheiter, school board candidate and one time Treasure Mountain Middle School Volunteer of the Year claims, "Volunteering in, or somehow contributing to our schools sends a very clear message to the students and staff members how much a community values education. 'The Park City School District has been very welcoming to parents, which lets parents know the time and resources they give to the school are highly valued. Kids like seeing familiar adults when they transition to new schools and though we may sometimes get in the way, I think teachers appreciate what we do to help. By spending more time together through volunteering and getting to know each other, parents and teachers can find it easier to work together to have the best possible educational experience for our kids, "she adds. Kirchenheiter's point is well taken as committees on every level, including high school, abound and couldn't exist without volunteers to run them. Career information, conference scheduling, directory, newsletter, honor roll recognition, graduation night, are a very few examples of the groups parents of high school students can be part of. And perhaps it is at that level a student may best learn altruism from their parents' generous gifts of time and talent. Encouraging volunteerism in young people through example should indeed create better citizens and better communities. Madison Doering, a recent elementary school graduate, always enjoyed the hours her mother put in at school, " I love my mom working at my school. I get to see her all the time. It makes me feel special because a lot of the teachers and specialists get to know me." Former President Bill Clinton said, "Volunteerism is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds,- it changes the odds." So jump in anywhere... the schools can certainly use your help in many ways and the ever-increasing ever-increasing level of excellence in education in Park City schools will be destined to continue. Open B3sn.'-&L' lOani - 6pm f I'M 13 |
