PAINLESS PARENT VOLUNTEERING
AVOIDING THE EMBARRASSMENT QUOTIENT FOR THE CHILDREN
Volunteering at school is just one of the many forms of parental involvement in a child’s education. But how can parents contribute while ensuring the embarrassment quotient for their kids stays at the lowest level possible?
That’s easy, says Susan Hazell, director of development with Ridley College in St. Catharines. The school has a plethora of opportunities for parents who wish to contribute to the school community depending on their time, talents, availability and preferences.
“We also coach and guide parents so they can be part of the community without it causing concern on the family front,” she says.
The participation of parents is an important contributor to any school community. It is so important that the Ontario Ministry of Education has developed the Parent Engagement Policy for Ontario Schools, a component of which is volunteering.
At Ridley College, volunteering fits with the school’s motto of service. “It is also a wonderful way for parents to be role models for their children,” says Hazell. “When parents are engaged with the school, whether in large or small ways, they are more likely to be active participants their child’s education.”
Keeping cringe-inducing moments for kids to a minimum is essential, however. “When children are small they are very excited to have mom and dad participate at school. That said, there is a period in time when children simply don’t want to be anywhere near their parents,” says Hazell.
“The key is to find roles where parents can contribute yet are not in their child’s face in the classroom or tagging along on an excursion.”
With some 700 students (day and boarding), Ridley has a host of parent volunteers to draw on, not just in Canada but around the world. Local parents participate in:
Family events, such as Tigerfest and the Christmas Market: For those new to the school it’s a great way to meet other parents, network and be involved as part of a team.
Fall book fairs: This is doesn’t take a lot of time but is of great benefit to the school as a library fundraiser.
Special events, such as homecoming, graduation and the annual dress ball: These are a bit more time-intensive yet they are fun and engender a lot of pride and school spirit.
Less traditional volunteer opportunities include contributing to rowing activities by setting up courses and providing nourishment to the athletes. “We have a long history of rowing at Ridley and that’s not something every school may offer,” notes Hazell. Another is an annual Mother’s Day floral beautification project on a vacant lot within the school grounds.
With any event that requires lots of planning and volunteers there are lessons to be learned. For Hazell, it was Tigerfest, a spring-time event with games, rides and fun activities for all ages. “Last year we had pony rides for the children that were a big hit and a great idea. However, none of us had considered what to do with all the resulting pony poop,” she says. “Not a laughing matter at the time, but we certainly find it funny now.”
Local parents are the soldiers on the ground who help throughout the year. Even those with limited Englishlanguage skills can play an important role. For homebased volunteer activities or those that require little or no verbal interaction within the school, the language-barrier is moot. Alternatively, telephone outreach campaigns give volunteers the opportunity to connect with friends and relatives in their native language, to explain the benefits of giving to the school.
Parents living in other countries are ambassadors beyond Ridley’s walls, adds Hazell. “It can be more difficult for international parents to feel connected to the school on a daily basis. However, by hosting events in their homes for other parents of children attending the school, as well as open houses where they answer questions for prospective parents, they help drive admissions and fundraising thereby contributing in a very meaningful way, from a distance.”
Everyone has a talent that can benefit a school, notes Hazell. “We constantly search for ways to work to each individual’s best strengths while fostering positive family relationships.”
WHEN CHILDREN ARE SMALL THEY ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE MOM AND DAD PARTICIPATE AT SCHOOL. THAT SAID, THERE IS A PERIOD IN TIME WHEN CHILDREN SIMPLY DON’T WANT TO BE ANYWHERE NEAR THEIR PARENTS. — SUSAN HAZELL, RIDLEY COLLEGE