Benefits of Volunteering with Your Child’s School
Written by Summer Heath, Volunteer, Alumni & Event Coordinator
Whether you work full time, part time, or care for younger kids at home, prioritizing volunteering at your child’s school is crucial. As a volunteer, you can address various needs that the school, teachers, staff, or students may have. Your involvement contributes valuable resources that might otherwise be lacking.
Here’s why volunteering matters:
1. Volunteering Benefits Your Child
If you already guessed this, then kudos to you! But let’s dive deeper into the many ways being a school volunteer helps your kiddo.
Volunteering Makes a Difference in your Child’s Education
Children whose parents are involved in their schools do better. Research has shown that children of school volunteers make better grades and perform better on tests. They’re also better behaved, have better attendance, and are more likely to graduate and continue their education. The more parents participate at school, the more successful their children will be.
They’re also better behaved, have better attendance, and are more likely to graduate and continue their education.
Provides an Opportunity to Bond
Volunteering allows you to witness and share in your child’s school experiences, creating a stronger connection through shared moments.
Stresses Education’s Importance
By being a school volunteer, your child sees how much you value something that takes up a lot of his/her day and a place where he/she spends a lot of his/her time. When you support their school, you support them. By giving your time to something that’s important to them, he/she is affirmed that it’s important to you, too.
Enhances Social Awareness
Through volunteering, you become familiar with your child’s friends, teachers, and support staff. So, when you go home and hear her talking about someone from school, chances are you know who she’s referring to. And your communication with her about that person is improved by having a bit of background knowledge. Your communication with her friends and staff will also improve as your relationship with them grows.
Gives Insight into School Dynamics
By being behind the scenes, you gain knowledge about the curriculum, your child’s learning experiences, and the school environment along with any other needs and events the school may be holding.
Benefits Other Students
Your volunteer efforts contribute to a lower student-to-adult ratio, providing more one-on-one time for students and enhancing hands-on activities.
Builds Parent-to-Parent Relationships
Volunteering fosters connections with other parents, creating a supportive community and enriching students’ school experiences. What better way to make like-minded, life ling friendships?
2. Volunteering Benefits the Staff
In addition to impacting the students, your volunteer efforts will be felt among staff too. Check out how:
Lightens Staff Workload
Volunteers assist teachers and staff with various tasks, easing their burden and allowing them to focus on essential responsibilities. Take this as a reminder to reach out to your child’s teacher to check in on any needs they may have!
Makes the Impossible Possible
Certain events and projects depend on parent involvement, and volunteering ensures the success of these initiatives.
Enhances Staff-Parent Relationships
Teachers and staff build relationships with parents through volunteering, facilitating better communication and understanding.
Introduces New Knowledge and Skills
Volunteers bring diverse skills and insights, enriching students’ education with new clubs, activities, and programs.
3. Volunteering Benefits Your Child’s School
Did you know the benefits of volunteering can be felt across your child’s entire school? Seriously. You can have that great of an impact!
Generates More Extracurricular Activities
Increased volunteer support leads to a broader range of extracurricular programs, benefiting students and preventing burnout among a few volunteers.
Boosts Funds
Volunteering for fundraisers or as a fundraising chair contributes to the school’s financial well-being.
Contributes to School Growth
Positive experiences shared by volunteers create a ripple effect, attracting more students and resources to the school.
Breeds Passionate Advocates
Volunteers can advocate for improvements in school infrastructure and policies, leading to positive changes.
Builds Relationships and Support
Volunteering allows you to connect with other adults who share a commitment to children’s well-being, providing a valuable support network.
Opens Job Possibilities
Volunteering builds a network and enhances your resume, increasing your chances of future employment.
Positive Impact on Mental Health
Working towards common goals with fellow volunteers positively affects mental health by fostering a sense of community and accomplishment. Anytime we set our minds outside of ourselves, we benefit mentally and spiritually.
The next time your kid’s school asks for volunteers, consider how many lives (including your own!) you have the potential to impact by simply showing up and helping out. Your PCA community needs you!
