When I was in school, my mom was always at my school. She seemed to know all of the teachers, served as President of the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO,) and became lifelong best friends with the school secretary. Now I am following in her footsteps by volunteering as room parent and a PTO officer.
These roles help me get to know the wonderful teachers and staff at my children’s school better. I love getting a glimpse into the school day to see what is good and what could be better. I have made many friends along the way and feel honored to get to work alongside parents who generously give their time and talents to our school. If you have thought about doing more for your child’s school, I encourage you to do it! Every school is unique, but we have listed a few ways that parents can become more involved at most schools.
1. Parent Teacher Organization/ Parent Teacher Association
Most schools have a PTO or PTA that allows parents to work alongside teachers and administrators. Every PTO is different, but your school’s PTO may offer opportunities to volunteer at the school, fundraise for special projects, plan fun events for students, and more. For most school PTOs, there are opportunities for parents who desire a low, medium, or high level of commitment. To get started, join your school’s PTO and attend a meeting or email one of the PTO officers.
2. Room Parent
The role of room parent can be a fun way to get to know your child’s teacher and classmates. Being a room parent can be a low or high level of commitment depending on your child’s grade and school. Lower grades tend to require higher levels of commitment, but it is still usually manageable and fun! At many schools, room parents plan class parties and coordinate a birthday gift for the teacher. In my experience, some teachers rely heavily on the room parent to disperse information to other parents in the class. Others may prefer to communicate directly with parents themselves.
3. City Schools Foundation Board
The tax money that funds our public schools is usually barely enough to cover the basics. As a solution, some local cities have formed non-profit city school foundations. These foundations provide funding for extra opportunities and learning resources that can take their schools from good to great. Whether you are a board member, sponsor, or attendee at one of their fundraising events, these foundations make giving back to your local schools easy and fun.
I had the privilege of being on my local city schools foundation board of directors. It was a great opportunity to get to know other parents who care about our district’s schools. Talking to local businesses about sponsorship opportunities, working with committees, and enjoying our great fundraising events gave me a chance to invest in my community and in my children. As a bonus, my kids have seen how much the community cares about them and their school. Here are a few ways you can get involved in these great local school foundations:jl,l,
- Homewood City Schools Foundation
- Hoover City Schools Foundation
- Mountain Brook City Schools Foundation
- Vestavia Hills City Schools Foundation
4. Career
Many people are needed to make a school function well. Schools need good administrators, teachers, office staff, school nurses, cafeteria staff, custodial staff, librarians, bus drivers, and more. If you enjoy working with children, consider applying for an employed position at your child’s school. The Alabama State Department of Education lists all job openings in public schools throughout Alabama.
To become a substitute teacher, you must have a high school diploma or GED, pass a background check, and obtain a substitute teacher license. Check your local school district’s website to see if there are any additional requirements and to apply.
5. Board of Education
Becoming a member of your school district’s Board of Education is a big commitment that brings big influence. A Board of Education works with the superintendent to provide vision and resources for schools in the district by setting policies and budgets. School boards usually consist of parents like you who want to make a positive difference in all of the schools in their district. In some districts, school board members are elected, while in other districts, school board members are appointed. The Alabama Association of School Boards is a great resource if you are considering applying for or running for your local board of education.
6. Donate or Serve
What resources or skills do you have that would be helpful to the school? If you or a family member are handy with repairs, ask the principal if there are any small repair needs. A group of parents from our school collaborates with a local church’s Serve Day to help our school. Projects include things like weeding flower beds and replacing mulch on the playground.
If you don’t have spare time, consider donating money to a general fund or for a project that you are passionate about. Donate an item or service that your business provides for a teacher raffle or a fundraiser auction. Even a little happy on a Friday goes a long way. The next time you get donuts on the way to school, pick up a dozen for the front office staff.
Studies have shown that when parents are involved in their children’s education, academic success increases and emotional and social skills improve. Find a way you can become involved and have fun cheering on your student and your school!
