Want to See your Child Thrive in School?
Volunteer!
I. Parental Involvement Help Children Thrive in School
“When parents are involved in their children's education at home, they do better in school. And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school and the schools they go to become better." This is how Anne Henderson and Nancy Berla have summed it up in their book: A New Generation of Evidence: The Family Is Critical to Student Achievement. In their book, the authors cite extensive research showing that when schools work together with families to support learning, children tend to succeed not just in school, but throughout life. In fact, the most accurate predictor of a student's achievement in school is not income or social status, but the extent to which that student's family is able to:
A. Create a home environment that encourages learning;
B. Express high (but not unrealistic) expectations for their children's achievement and
future careers; and
C. Become involved in their children's education at school and in the community.
The National Education Association reports a strikingly similar finding: “When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more.” That is the conclusion ofA New Wave of Evidence,a report from Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (2002).
II. We all chose Woodland Hills
Elementary because it is a great school with a 10/10 rating.
Let’s keep it that way!
We, as Parents of WHECES kids, have at least one thing in common. We are all here because we wanted our kids to go to the best possible school. Whether we nested in this neighborhood, moved jobs to be here or fought hard to get permitted in, we have all somehow sacrificed because we did our research and wanted the best for our precious children. But why is WHECES so great? There is no doubt that the teachers are stellar, the administration’s relentless pursuit of academic excellence is exemplary, staff is truly caring and highly competent, our kids are smart, but also because this school has an amazingly high rate of parental involvement compared to other schools. By having an open policy which allows parents to help out in many aspects of school life, WHECES has attracted caring families who donate their time and resources to keep the school a 10/10 school.
In order to keep this well-oiled machine running, we need many more parents to come forward, wet their feet by assisting current Volunteers and we need a few, to gradually take over the command, when the current volunteers’ children leave the school. Our cycle of greatness must continue and we need you to make sure it does. So, if you have not already, please sign up to be a Woodland Hills Elementary Volunteer.
III. What Kids Can Learn From Volunteering
By observing their parents volunteer, volunteering becomes part of kids' lives — something they might just expect and want to do. It can teach them:
- A sense of responsibility to the community.Kids learn what it means to make and keep a commitment and that we are all responsible for the well-being of our communities.
- That one person can make a difference.Kids will see first-hand that you, single-handedly, are making a difference in their school life. It is an empowering message for kids is that any one person is important enough to have an impact on someone or something else.
- Tolerance.Working with Parent Volunteers of a diverse community puts kids in touch with people of different backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, ages, and education and income levels. They'll learn that even the most diverse individuals can be united by common values.
Most importantly, it makes them so very happy to see you at school. What is better than seeing your kid’s face light up when you walk in the classroom?!
Lastly, in the process of volunteering, our diverse community gets to know each other’s cultures and customs better which in turn helps families feel closer to each other and to their community.
IV. Issues Parents Face that May Discourage Them from Volunteering:
A. Time Restraints
For parents who cannot commit time on a regular basis due to their busy work or family schedules, there are many opportunities to volunteer on a short term or occasional basis. Most parents don’t know that sometimes, the school needs you for just 1-2 hours. Some tasks may even be completed at home, after you put the kids to bed or while watching TV. Examples are:
1. Helping with short-term projects such as Fall Festival, Spell-a-thon, Gala, Teacher Appreciation, Silent Auction, Book Fair, Fifth Grade events and many more which require volunteer time in many different capacities for a certain defined period.
2. Periodic short-duration duties such as Drop-Off valet on certain selected weeks, PE Circuits 1 hour twice a month, booth attendant at events and many more;
3. Assisting other volunteers on a project-by-project basis. Whether it is counting and distributing the Restaurant Night or other flyers, a trip to the printer or to the Restaurant, running a booth at an event, helping with After School Enrichment or using your expertise to provide technical or creative assistance, any help is needed and appreciated. Just ask a teacher or a fellow parent who volunteers and you can find plenty of occasional things you can do to help. You can also contact us at and wewill help you find a volunteering activity that suits your schedule and areas of interest.
B. English is Your Second Language:
In my 4 years of experience volunteering in the diverse environment of WHECES, I have been told by many parents that they hesitate to volunteer because English is their second language. They are afraid they would not be able to execute or communicate well with the teachers and the kids, due to language and cultural barriers. Given that English is my third language, I understand the feeling first-hand. I have 3 thoughts on that subject:
1. Artificial barriers must be overcome and what better way to overcome such barriers than communicating and helping the community? When you volunteer, you are on equal grounds with all other volunteers. The playing field is even. Everyone is donating their time for the good of the children. While volunteering at this specific school, many of us have found life-long friends with whom we have a lot in common. We would not have become friends but for spending time together at school. In a volunteer setting, no one generally mistreats another’s actions, accent, mannerism or background. And, if occasionally someone does, it comes from their own insecurity. On the other hand, there are plenty of other people, such as teachers, staff, other parents and the kids who truly appreciate what you do for them. So, “Just Do It”!
2. There are plenty of volunteering activities, which do not require much talking. Examples are PE Circuit, Assistant Art Docent, Gardening, Silent Auction, organizing flyers, and many more volunteering opportunities that are available to parents who do not want to engage verbally beyond greetings.
C. We need Dads too!
Even though there are a few dedicated dads, step-dads and grandfathers who regularly volunteer at school, the gender gap between male and female volunteers is staggering. In this day and age where the aim is to equalize divides in society, I wonder why more Dads do not volunteer. It may be because their work schedules on the average are busier than Moms, but it may also be because they are unaware of how many important tasks they are needed for. PATT is not a group of bored Moms and it is not all about cutting papers and making flowers. It is a group of hardworking people of both genders who really care. There are a lot of volunteering opportunities where the Dads can shine and provide significant help to build a better environment for their children. A lot of Dads have expertise and interest in technology, art, carpentry, sports, developing processes, editing, etc. which the school needs help with. If you are a man and have not tried volunteering yet, please try it! We guaranty a new found sense of happiness, which you will not get anywhere else!
D. Assuming You are not Needed Because of Other Volunteers
Nothing is further than the truth. You are needed. There are a handful of volunteers doing a whole lot. They need a hand. There are also always plenty of volunteering activities that can improve, only if more parents help.
Please consider volunteering for our school!
By Nina Brahman, WHECES Parent