Parent Volunteers

 School Calendar | Domains & Elements | Daily Schedule | Unit Topics
Parent Volunteers | Rules and Regulations | High Scope Curriculum
Second Step

GET INVOLVED!

A few examples of how Head Start/Pre-K uses volunteers are:

• CLASSROOM PREPARATION
• Coloring and cutting out materials
• Preparing bulletin boards, door and room displays
• Making instructional games
• Setting up displays and learning centers


• CLASSROOM ASSISTANCE
• Read or tell stories
• Help with classroom activities
• Cooking projects
• Work with a child with disabilities
• Supervise and work with a small group
• Share special talents


• ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES
  • Assist with art
  • Assist with music
  • Assist with dramatics
  • Develop art shows, puppet shows, etc.
     

• OFFICE
  
  • Run copier
  • Typing
  • Edit newsletter
• GENERAL
• Assist with mealtime
• Assist with dentals/health screenings

Parents and volunteers can stimulate new career interest as well as provide additional help in the classroom.  If you are interested in volunteering at Allgood Head Start and PreK, please speak to your child's teacher or get in touch with one of our family partners.

YOU ARE URGENTLY NEEDED IN OUR PROGRAM.

THE PRIMARY AIMS OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ARE:

• To provide additional staff in all areas of the program, thus increasing the effectiveness of the staff.
• To give interested local citizens, including the parent, an opportunity to participate in the program.
• To increase parent understanding of the developmental processes of young children and encourage them to adopt approaches and techniques practiced at the center.
• To improve community understanding and support for the Head Start/Pre-K program.
• To assist in all components of the program so staff members will have more time to devote to the needs of individual children

THINGS PROSPECTIVE PARENTS/VOLUNTEERS SHOULD KNOW:

• There are no educational requirements, such as an elementary, high school or college degree, to be a volunteer. Male and female volunteers of all ages are needed.
• The time you volunteer is at your convenience; however, we need to plan with you so that we can work your time into the daily schedule. Some volunteers donate several days a week; others work an hour a month, while others come in periodically.
• You will not be assigned to any job you are not comfortable with. Your individual desires, interests and abilities will be considered in working out an assignment for you. You will be able to volunteer in your child's classroom only if this does not create a problem.
• You will be a part of a program where you will be of invaluable service and where you will find personal satisfaction.

Volunteers offer help - the tasks and possibilities are limitless!

Do's and Don'ts of Volunteering

1. Learn your supervising teachers' names before going into the room. As soon as possible, learn the children's names.
2. Learn what materials are available and where they are stored.
3. Do not smoke, drink soft drinks or chew gum around the children.
4. Call the teachers and each other Miss, Mrs. or Mr. when in the presence of the children.
5. Expect and accept constructive criticism from your supervising teacher and the staff.
6. Be on time.
7. Refrain from lengthy conversations with adults when supervising the children.
8. Wear washable clothes, low heels and little jewelry. Do not put your jewelry on the children.
9. Do not sit on the tables.
10. Do not yell at the children from across the room or sound harsh, cross or fussy.
11. Don't feel you must constantly be "doing something" to be useful. A good teacher spends time watching and listening to the children.
12. Try to get the most out of outdoor experiences by talking to the children as you play with them.
13. Try to find good things to say to the children. Avoid saying "Don't be a baby", "You're a bad boy/girl", etc.
14. Try to spend time with children who "need" you. Do not avoid a problem child, but rather spend time with him/her and try to help him/her.
15. State suggestions or directions in a positive rather than negative form. Tell the child what you want him/her to do rather than what you don't want him/her to do; what he/she can do rather than what he/she can't do. This guides the child in learning what he/she has done that is being corrected or redirected. It also focuses the child's attention on what he/she can do rather than simply on what he/she can't do.
16. Give the child a choice only when you intend to leave the situation up to him/her, i.e., "It is time to come inside now" rather than "Would you like to come inside now?" The first statement tells the child that he/she is expected to come inside, while the second statement offers the child the alternative of coming inside or not.
17. Give the child the minimum of help in order that he/she may have the maximum chance to grow in independence. Encourage the child all you can to be independent in taking care of himself/herself and in his/her play.
18. Give the child plenty of time. A child often resists if he/she feels that you are hurrying him. Perhaps he/she has not had time to park his truck just where he/she wanted to leave it. We need to respect his/her plans which are just as important to him/her as ours are to us.
19. Avoid motivating a child by making comparisons between one child and another, or by encouraging competition. We want to encourage children to like others around them, which is difficult to accomplish if we also encourage "beating the other fellow", etc. Saying "See if you can beat Johnny getting dressed” focuses the child on an attitude toward other children which tends to discourage enjoyment of others. In addition, it isn't the reason for doing the task.
20. Try to help children find enjoyment and satisfaction in clean up and pick up tasks. For example, you might say, "Let's pretend we're delivery men when we take the blocks in the wagons."
21. Avoid making models in any art medium for the children to copy.
22. Practice eyeball to eyeball contact. The children are more settled when the teacher is physically on their level seated in a low chair or on the floor near the children. Try to avoid too much walking around in a supervisory way.
23. Take time to listen to children. Through the language of behavior they constantly tell us about their needs.
24. Do not leave a group for whom you have assumed responsibility without telling another teacher that you are going.
25. Do not discuss the children you are working with in their presence or with outsiders.
26. Be aware of what is going on in all parts of the play area. Try to be flexible enough to take care of the individual needs as well as the needs of the group.
27. Always be alert to prevent children from running in front of moving swings, tricycles, etc.
28. Each child should assume some responsibility in leaving the place in order.
29. Assist the children with putting on or removal of their wraps, but encourage them to take as much responsibility as they possibly can.
30. Above all, enjoy the children. Try to feel free to be yourself. Don't get bogged down with trying to do the right thing and become mechanical.
31. Volunteers in the classroom wishing to eat breakfast or lunch will need to notify and pay the kitchen staff.

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Important Dates

November 2008

Nov 1 - Time Change - Set clocks back 1 hour when going to bed

Nov 4 - Student Holiday - no classes

Nov 5 - Get the Facts on DFACS Workshop 9:30 a.m.

Nov 13 - WIC Workshop
“Preparing Healthy Foods for Your Child”  9:30 a.m.

Nov 24 – 28 - Thanksgiving Holidays – No classes

Nov 27 - Thanksgiving Day
 

2008-2009 School Calendar

  Word from Carolyn...

“Thank you” to all of the parents who took time out of their busy schedule to volunteer this month. We had an especially good turn out for RIF Day with many parents participating. Remember, volunteers are always welcome in the center!
As the weather changes, please send a jacket with your child each day. Remember any medication your child requires must be checked in through the office.
The teachers will be scheduling their first Educational Home Visits during the month of October. Please remember your appointment time and ask questions about what your child is doing in the classroom.

Thanksgiving Assistance

Important October Deadlines
for Thanksgiving Assistance
The following organization will be assisting families during the holiday season
The Center for Family Resources
October 21 & 22, 2008
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
At Cobb Civic Center
YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE A PICTURE ID, SOCIAL SECURITY CARD OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE FOR ALL HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS, PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND INCOME FOR THE PAST 4 WEEKS