At our elementary school we didn't use file folders - we used very large Rubbermaid containers and labeled the grade level on them. so with grades K-5, we had 6 large bins (one for each grade level). The school has about 650 students at this time and the help is great.
Since many of the teachers projects were quite large (ie. a laminate project which had many things laminated at one time and the project was to cut the laminated items from the large laminate roll, - then that project would not have fit into a file folder). Many of the teachers would put their projects in large gallon zip lock baggies - label the baggie with their name - then inside they would put their instruction form and the stuff needed to complete the project possibly. The K-2 grade teachers utilized the volunteer parent workroom group the most - they had lots of cutting, coloring, stapling etc. projects that had to be completed for the project to then take place in the classroom.
Once they got used to the parents doing the project assembly - they relied on us a lot. I will warn you that if the teachers do not get their projects back by the date they need them (as they need to specify on the worl order form) they will stop utilizing the group. Speaking from a volunteer chairmen that took over the project after another parent let things slide and we had to revamp the trust level again.
Our school has started one this year as well. We will be doing the volunteer stuff for the teachers that you described although I hadn't considered doing a file for each teacher. Thank you for that idea. We are trying to become a seperate entity from PTO. We will have community pamplets and handouts available if any parent is in need of assistance. Does anyone out there know of a way we can convey to the parents that this is separate from PTO? I just can't think of the right words.
I love this idea! I hope you will not mind answering a few questions. First, we are a small school of around 280 students, grades Pre-K - 8Th, so I am curious about the size of your school. Second, how many parent volunteers do you have? Third, is one person given the job of overseeing this project? I don't know if we can attempt this for the current year but it is an idea I really want to look into. Thanks!
This is a great program. We've done this Parent Volunteer Workroom for many years nows! Parents love meeting other parents there, and helping the teachers.
I'll be glad to look at your work order form and see how it compares against the one we used.
One of the most important things you have to do, is sell the teachers on the idea! It's not a success unless the teachers feel confident they can get the work done, that they put in the workroom.
Also, be sure to have two items on your form.
Date teachers put project on the workroom
Date teacher needs project returned to teacher.
If I can find the one we used, I'll send you a copy.
Also, I organized a group of stay at home parents that were not able to get to the school and pick up projects (due to small children, etc) but loved doing the projects. So we have a project delivery person that would take projects to a handful of parents and then pick them up if needed too.
This year our PTSO is being given a room at the school for our Parent Volunteer Room. We are very excited about it as we began setting up and organizing this past week. We have a die cut center, newsletter bulletin board, volunteer board, upcoming events bulletin, a huge storage closet and a kids corner (for the preschool aged kids to play while their parents volunteer.) We then received a donation from a parent of a metal type of mail slot shelf unit. We thought it would work perfect for teachers to drop off various volunteer tasks for the parents to complete. So we are assigning a shelf for each teacher and are creating a Teacher Work Order Form for the teachers to attach to their materials. It would give each task a priority and the date it needs to be completed as well as detailed information regarding the task. These things will range from making copies, laminating, stapling, and sorting to die cut shapes for special projects. My question is if other parent groups have tried a program like this? I created a work order form this weekend and would love some feedback...please email me if you wouldn't mind taking a look at it for me, thanks! This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
