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RA Home School Association at 85-25 61st Road, Rego Park, NY 11374 US - What's it all about?
| What's it all about? |
"More Parental Involvement Means Student Success" This is the headline in an article in Better Homes and Gardens. The article goes on to state that "research shows that ‘if parents are involved in their child’s education, the child can do better academically, socially and emotionally’." R.A. offers a number of ways we, as parents, can show our children we are interest in their world. Academically, we can make sure their assignments are completed correctly and on time, attend school meetings and work with teachers, in a positive way, on problems. Socially and emotionally, we can take an active part in the events that our children are involved in. Volunteering is the key. Our children will recognize our commitment to their world when we take part in it. There are an abundance of ways we can demonstrate that. CLASS PARENT Each class needs a class parent. The functions of the Class Parent include helping their child’s teacher with special projects, being available and assisting on hot lunch days, assisting in fundraisers and coordinating teacher gifts. The rewards are many—the class parent receives first consideration as chaperone on class trips, first hand involvement with your child’s classmates and their parents and another means to support the teacher. The role of Class Parent need not be handled alone. A team of two parents can share in the functions. This allows both working parents and stay-at-home parents to participate. LUNCH PARENT Lunch Parents are vital for the safety of our children during the lunchtime of Noon and 12:50 pm. This function, too, can be shared with another parent. Two parents can alternate a day of the week or, perhaps, divide the school year—one parent commits to attending one day a week from September to January, the other continues from February to June. This flexibility offers working parents to set aside some personal days to share in their child’s school day. Each volunteer will be paid $10 per lunch duty. Payment will be made on a quarterly basis. Being a Lunch Parent is a rewarding way to watch your child interact with his/her class mates, or to see your child’s work exhibited in the classroom, and provides many topics of conversation between you and your child. When your child describes events of the school day, you know what they are talking about. FUNDRAISING Fund Raising is a necessary supplement to our tuition. Some are mandatory, and provide the greatest financial return, and some are geared to entertainment, providing a sense of community. All events cannot succeed without volunteers. The Home School Association offers both daytime and evening opportunities to volunteer. Magazine Drive:
Gift-Wrap:
usually held in October, with distribution of purchases in November. Instructional material and catalogs are provided to the children. Each family should submit at least one purchase for the success of this event. Gift-wrap, chocolates, unique items and other products provide great ideas to use or give for the holiday season and throughout the year. The children get rewarded with various prizes based on their participation, and the school receives a percentage of the sales. Volunteers are needed to check and record sales in the evening of the two collection dates. The distribution day in November also requires help. Just one volunteer from each class to work with the Home School representative is ideal.Chance Books
: usually held in mid-winter. Each family is required to remit one completed Chance Book ($40.00). Each purchased chance offers a possibility to win prizes. Additional chance books can be obtained for family, friends and colleagues to purchase chances as well. All proceeds of this event benefit the school. Volunteers are needed to fold and stuff envelopes. Just one volunteer from each class to work with the Home School representative is ideal.Candy Drive
: usually held in early spring. Each family is obligated to sell one box of candy. Each box consists of a variety of chocolate bars at $1 per bar. Do not allow children to solicit door-to-door. The candy can be offered at the parent’s workplace, child’s dance/karate studio, to relatives, neighbors, as Easter baskets, lunch box treats, etc. Additional boxes can be requested. The child who sells the most boxes is rewarded with a prize. The school receives a percentage of the sales. Volunteers are needed to record sales and add collections on four collection days. A minimum of 3-5 volunteers to work with the Home School representative is ideal.Halloween Party
: usually held on the Saturday of or following Halloween. This event offers a fun evening for all. Children get to dress in costumes, play games of skill for prizes, purchase refreshments and dance. Parents can also dress in costume, join in the fun and socialize with other parents. Each child must be accompanied by an adult and each adult must volunteer to either decorate the gym. Saturday morning or manage a game booth for 45 minutes. Game booths are generally managed by two volunteers per 45-minute interval. This event is not a fundraiser; it is solely for the enjoyment of the children.Christmas Boutique
: usually held 2-3 weeks prior to Christmas. The children are given an opportunity to independently "shop" for Christmas gifts for family members and friends and share in the excitement of the holiday season. Inexpensive items are put on display for the children to buy. The children are provided with an envelope, prior to the boutique, to carry their budgeted spending money. On the envelope, amounts are filled in with the allotted amounts for specific gifts i.e. Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, Grandma, Grandma, Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Friend, etc. During the school day, children visit the boutique where volunteer parents direct the children to appropriate gifts within their budget. Nine volunteers to work with the Home School representative are needed for each shift of the 2-day event. Five volunteers from each class is ideal.Flea Market
: usually held in September, October, April and June on a Saturday. The Home School Association acquires a table at the Flea Market to sell new and used items donated by sponsoring grades. All proceeds benefit the school. Several grades at a time are responsible for donating items and providing at least one volunteer from each of the sponsoring grades, per shift, to help the Home School representative staff the table.Many other events, such as Kid’s Day and Field Day, are scheduled throughout the year and require volunteer support for their success. Requests for volunteers are made when the dates for these events are scheduled.
Now is the time to review the volunteer opportunities and make the commitment to be an active part of your child’s educational experience. Children benefit when their parents are engaged and helpful in a consistent, constructive way.