pzettler;148918 wrote: Our state has mandatory testing toward the end of the year. During testing time, students with special needs are required to be given special assistance. This ties up every teachers aid and administator. If student have to go the the restroom during testing, that have to be escorted to prevent cheating. This is an opportunity for parents to go stand outside the restroom door. Ask about this. Maybe this is an opportunity. Imagine if it was your child having to hold it in.
The library has to make sure they get all the books back before school is out for summer. Ask the Librarian about helping with this.
That's a tough one. Not using the restroom but being a "hall monitor". I know I wasn't able to help in that manner as I have not been trained etc. I agree it's worth asking, by all means BUT students are not allowed to leave during testing and must use the restroom before testing begins as to most disrupt the entire testing process.
We are also getting ready to test the kiddos so I am too in the thick of parents asking if they can help in any way and have to turn them away.
Also to throw into the mix, our school partnered up with a University and their student teachers are the ones helping/volunteering their time in the classroom.
I was told (and now see) that most of our parents pour so much into helping K-5 that by middle school they just want a break. Many do take a "back seat" and only volunteer for field trips coming back to help in High School Boosters etc. I'm looking at my own family with a Junior,6th grader, 5th grader, 2nd grader and 1st grader there isn't enough time in a month to voluteer for EACH child let alone conferences! (I take two days for 15-20 teachers!)
Many of my Middle School Moms have just been stretched and looking forward to high school. It doesn't mean they don't like the school any less, they just need a break.
Our state has mandatory testing toward the end of the year. During testing time, students with special needs are required to be given special assistance. This ties up every teachers aid and administator. If student have to go the the restroom during testing, that have to be escorted to prevent cheating. This is an opportunity for parents to go stand outside the restroom door. Ask about this. Maybe this is an opportunity. Imagine if it was your child having to hold it in.
The library has to make sure they get all the books back before school is out for summer. Ask the Librarian about helping with this.
Momski;148753 wrote:
...I guess if you look at most Middle school teachers have 3 or 4 classes per day with 30 kids in each class - that's over 100 kids they have to track. They're set into their rubricks and really don't want anyone rocking the boat.....
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You bring up a really good point. Our middle schools have SEVEN class periods per day, plus sports and band practices that may be held before or after school. Our class sizes range from 25-30 at that age. I believe each teacher has 6 classes, with one off-period. That's a lot of kids and logistics to wrangle.
Band, athletics, and the special interest areas were where I saw the most parents involved. And once you get sucked into moving equipment, never-ending fundraisers, and running concession stands you will be amazed at the number of hours are involved.
The booster groups for sports/music/theatre, etc. are always looking for help.
And if your child gloms onto a specific activity, you can always approach that coach or teacher for assistance.
I guess if you look at most Middle school teachers have 3 or 4 classes per day with 30 kids in each class - that's over 100 kids they have to track. They're set into their rubricks and really don't want anyone rocking the boat.
I know our middle school orchestra teacher is always looking for help to organize and file sheet music, keep the instruments neat and tidy as well as help with chaperoning field trips.
I'm fortunate that our local MS has a very active PTO. As a past and future board member, our principal encourages and depends on parent support and involvement. That said, MS is nowhere near elementary school with the hours needed from parents. I love Luv's comment about community organizations.
With my oldest in HS and my 'baby' going into the MS next year, I have gotten more involved in local community organizations that desperately need help. And those of us that are graduating along with our kids from elementary schools are the perfect fit for many of these groups. Look to your local YMCA's, libraries (we're GREAT literacy tutors!), food banks, etc. The skills we have built over the years and our energy are much appreciated as our children's schools need fewer hours from us.
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Luv's comment about community organizations.
