Classroom Assistants & PTA
Tell your child's teacher you want to get involved with the Parent
Teacher Association or as a classroom volunteer and you'll be recruited
before you finish the sentence.
Parent Teacher Associations (sometimes called
the Friends of... your child's school) have no formal powers but act as
an informal channel of communication between parents and teachers and
often are involved in fundraising and organising social activities.
Don't believe the hype
Don't be put off by stereotypes of the
school governor or PTA-fundraiser. You don't have to be affluent, middle
class or highly educated. The only real requirements are a concern for
other people's children as well as your own (not as common as you might
think), and some spare time (even less common).
Helping in class
Classroom volunteers (not to be confused
with paid assistants) help with reading, distribute books and equipment,
supervise play and lunchtimes and support children with special needs.
If you have been at home with young children, or simply unemployed, this
is an ideal way to ease back into work - many volunteers go on to become
paid teaching assistants or train as teachers or childcare workers.
Raising cash
Many people are wary of offering to help
with fundraising events through fear that they will be locked into unwanted
duties. Be clear about how much time you're prepared to give up, and about
what you enjoy and what you detest doing. For example, perhaps you love
cooking, but hate phone calls and organisation. So bake the cakes and
leave the admin to those who like it (plenty do). A good PTA will welcome
all contributions, from expert advice on recycling schemes to making tea.
|
