Elementary School Volunteering

Good afternoon BET's!

I love working at schools!  The day in day out, kids saying the most amazing things and doing things that boggle the mind.(Both good and bad.)  But is it the paycheck at the end of the week that we do it for.  I submit to you a resounding and pleasant, NO.

Flat Stanley at a generic Elementary School

I had the pleasure of working in a an elementary school that welcomes me back any time I can make it in.  I come in unannounced and they find something for me to do.  I open car doors in the morning.  I referee recess all throughout the day.  Sometimes they even trust me to help out at my old job in the library.  I just love coming in and being welcomed to volunteer in whatever capacity they find for me that particular day.

I can tell you one thing for sure.  I have never been turned down to volunteer at this school.  I would venture to say that if you do the same in your local school system, you will receive a similar response.  I don't think it is my amazing skill set that makes this a reality for me.  The truth is, these schools are short staffed frequently and can always use an extra pair of loving hands.  More importantly, the kids need that extra attention as well.

Your presence can free up a teacher that is spread too thin, and might allow them time to focus more on what they need to be working on with the kids.  I have also found that the students they may have me working with, just needed a little extra attention that day, and may make the rest of their day a much more effective use of their time.

Sure, volunteering doesn't pay much monetarily.  Actually, by definition, it pays nothing monetarily.  But, not to be too cliche, it pays huge dividends to my heart, and hopefully the hearts of the kids I get to work with.

Today I was paid in my favorite currency; Hugs and Smiles.  So, don't be shy.  Get in there and let them benefit from your time and heart, and the rewards will be yours to keep.

Grandperson's Day Menominee Elementary 2014

Hello again BET's, and a warm welcome from Menominee Elementary Grandperson's Day 2014.  The festivities are ongoing and exciting and the paparazzi is adding to the madness.  Luckily, my wife is one of them, so we are cool.  But the tension is still thick in the air.

Bren and I got the distinct pleasure of being asked by our dearest friends son, to fill in for his Grandpa today, who was in the hospital.  Now, I can't name the dearest friends or their child, not because of any fear of getting their name or photos out there...they just wouldn't sign the release. Admittedly, most of my friends are imaginary, but Brenda was there this time, so I know this was real.

Anywho, what an honor to be asked to do this.  Although obviously, I am not even near old enough to have grandchildren(tongue piercing cheek), I find that I fill this roll pretty well.  I constantly dote over my pretend grandchildren and I put pictures of them up on the fridge.  I have an IPad, but I am way behind the times on what apps are cool and what apps are, "So last season." as my neice has said.  I drive slow in the fast lane and complain when someone is tailing me, and I like to eat at 4pm and be in bed by seven.  I was made for this role!

So, to sum up, I truly covet membership in this distinguished club and look forward to one day being an active and prolific member.  The only issue I have now is that I am only 50.  My life expectancy currently is about 80.  I don't think I can keep up this pace for another 30 years...although I am willing to try!  Wish me luck.

Back to School Shopping-A Random Act of Kindness

Good Afternoon Everyone!

The other day I went on a huge journey to the civilization located a mere 25 miles-ish north of my home...a land we call Mishawaka!  They have a Super Target.  We don't have a Super Target.  We have a Super Wal-Mart, which puts us slightly lower on the food chain in terms of shopping I think.

As I was strolling through the aisles, salivating over the selection, that just a "normal" Target doesn't have, a thought occurred to me.  Why not put a little "care package" of school supplies together for my favorite teacher's classroom?  This would only cost me maybe another fifteen bucks, and it might put a smile on the face of some student who didn't get to do their BTS shopping at a Super Target. 

Then I had another thought.  What if something like this is already in place?  What if the PTA or another organization already organizes something like this to help the students?  After a two minute search on the web, I found that this is a very common practice.  Communities and school systems are doing this all over the country!  This is great!

Alas, another thought came to mind.  I had a lot of thoughts in that Super Target.  SO What!  What if it's not being done in my town?  Then the kids will suffer!  So I decided to do it.  And I encourage all of you to do it as well.  You don't have to spend a ton, just get a list of the required school supplies for a child in a specific class and make it happen!  If you can afford to, make it happen multiple times!

Folks, with unemployment and underemployment and the economy and all of these factors going against us, we can only count on one another.  Do this small act if you can and I know you will make a huge difference in the life of a child on the first day of school!

Thanks for reading, and acting, and Peace to you all! And remember, if you like what you are reading, don’t forget to follow me on Networked Blogs, or Google Plus, or subscribe on the top right, and recommend posts at the bottom of each post using Google Plus, Twitter and Facebook etc.  Thanks again for reading!

Volunteers! Come One, Come All!

One of our readers from yesterday brought up a good point in her post to me.  What about all of the people who volunteer at our schools to help carry the load.  Absolutely!

We have several volunteers at our Elementary school.  Some, you know very well, because it seems they are there as much as all of the rest of us.  Some, you don't know quite as well, maybe a familiar face in the hallway or at recess.  And some, you would have no idea that they make a great contribution on a regular basis, just because they work behind the scenes.

We have one parent who comes in to volunteer, I would say, three days a week, on average.  When I first started working there, I really wondered about this woman.  "Do you really have nothing better to do than hang around a bunch of Kindergartners?", I thought.  But then, I got it.  She had better things to do, sure, but she was hooked.  The kids gave her energy and enthusiasm.  They gave her as much as she was giving to them.

Another parent I see weekly is one of those, "Do I know you?" volunteers.  She is seen in the halls occasionally, but most of the time she is working with the front office or in the lunchroom during off peak eating time.  I don't see exactly what she does, but I see the results of it in the school.  I see the people she has been helping feeling a bit less burdened by their day.

Of course you don't have to be a parent to volunteer.  My ideal volunteer would be a ten foot tall person with sticky hands.  This would come in mighty handy getting the balls off the roof during recess.  Yes, you can even volunteer for recess duty!  We have one regular recess volunteer that is in great shape and he runs the kids until they are exhausted!  I love that.  I tried to run with him once and gave up before the first muscle on my leg had moved.  He makes me tired just watching him.  But man, does he help me with the kids.  His presence allows me to really watch the kids and be a better recess aide.

So, how do YOU get involved?  It is very simple.  Come to the school of your choice and ask!  If they tell you they have plenty of help, they aren't looking hard enough.  There may be a bit of paperwork or maybe a short background check, but it will be worth it, trust me.  These kids will pay you in hugs and smiles more abundantly than you will be able to handle at first, so be prepared!

Now, go volunteer!

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