Five Simple and Powerful Ways to Help Your Child’s School

Five Simple and Powerful Ways to Help Your Child’s School

Boy, was I wrong. The transition was harder for me than most when Scarlet entered kindergarten, but we grew together, and she did beautifully during her first elementary school year. Although my nervousness kept me a little off to the side for most of the school year, I was ready for a change when she started first grade. I was ready to connect with the teachers and staff, plan play dates, donate time and money, go to school plays and concerts, and have school lunch with Scarlet at least once.

It was a new me.

There was just one major problem with first grade. That was the year I started working full time. No, even more than full time. And with parenting full time, it became a busy life before I was ready. I thought getting involved with the school meant meetings and weekend activities that my job wouldn’t afford me to maintain, but then I learned that there are many ways to be involved with your child’s school. Helping the school can be more simple, accessible and powerful than you even know!

Five Simple & Powerful Ways to Help Your Child’s School!

1. Join the club. PTA, PTO, school council, etc. There is a time commitment for sure, so if you don’t think you’re cut out for the clubs/committees, you can attend the school board meetings. You will be able to provide your own input and get an inside view of how the school board works, and how it makes decisions that affect your community’s schools.

2. Share your time and talents. I’m a photographer and have thought about teaching a photography club or class. Even if you’re not teaching a club or activity, call the school and see if any of the clubs your children have joined are in need of transportation, supplies, or planning help. Chances are that you can help. You can also volunteer to share your profession or hobby with a classroom demonstration or a small group activity. Parents can also volunteer to read to children.

3. You can work as a library helper or offer to help with story time or reading assistance in the school library. You can help with putting back library books and helping children pick out books to take home for the week.

4. Be a chaperone on Field Day or on a field trip. At my daughter’s school, we can also accompany the kids on a trip to a local vernal pool, or help with the school garden. It doesn’t take a lot of time, and the help is appreciated.

5. Participate in Box Tops For Education. It really is incredible.

We started participating right when Scarlet started kindergarten. It started in 1996, so I was already in high school by that time, but the project was such a huge success, that families can now clip Box Tops from many products, like those from Hefty® and Reynolds®. American schools have earned over $719 million from Box Tops! It’s really an incredible thing.