We believe that by working as a community, all members will feel respected and valued for their contributions. With the support of an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA), School Site Council (SSC), English Learners Advisory Council (ELAC) as well as other community-based supports, we are involving our families in a series of very exciting school wide projects. Parents are encouraged to participate in decision making through monthly PTA meetings, SSC meetings and bi-annual community summits. Our Principal makes himself available to the community through individual appointments and monthly Principal “chats”, which provide parents time to meet with the Principal and discuss school-related matters in a community setting. We have volunteers in all aspects of the school community, including office support, library, classrooms, yard duty and cafeteria monitoring.

Volunteer Opportunities

At the beginning of each year, a volunteer form is given to each parent to complete and indicate which volunteer opportunity the parent has an interest in. This information is given to the appropriate Volunteer Coordinator who will contact the parent and assign him/her a volunteer opportunity.

Many families volunteer for more than one task, and we are very grateful for the efforts of these dedicated families. Alternately, many parents choose to help their child’s/children’s teacher directly without the involvement of a volunteer coordinator.

Classroom and Community Volunteers

Classroom Helpers

The following is a list of ways classroom helpers can volunteer

- help with field trips,
- help with making copies,
- help with snacks,
- help with organizing books for reading assignments,
- help with other tasks as requested by the teacher.

Wednesday Family Folders
Chat with fellow volunteers while you stuff the folders and deliver them to the classrooms.

Drop Off Zone Assistant
Help children out of cars and onto the school yard from 8:20 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. at the drop off zone.

Office Assistant
An extra pair of hands is always welcome to assist with copying, answering phones, giving out late passes and other administrative activities as needed.

Playground Supervisor
Extra help to supervise students on the playground is always needed.

Room Partner Coordinator
Help recruit room partners for each classroom, assist with classroom phone tree and communication needs and create and maintain a school-wide directory.

Parent Resource Center Assistant
Work with the Fairmount Parent Liaison to provide workshops for parents on health, social and legal issues. Identify other parent education needs and help with family outreach activities; work on the Parent Handbook and clean and organize the Parent Room.

Gardening - Roly Poly Club
The Roly Poly Club has transformed the outside areas at Fairmount! They meet once a month on Saturdays for garden maintenance. Join other gardening enthusiasts and bring your kids; a green thumb is not required! Watering and other small garden tasks go on all month long.

Technology
Assist the school with networking, hardware, software and web page updating.

5th grade Graduation Helper
Help plan and carry out the graduation celebration.

Library Assistance
Help with library maintenance, read to classes and other activities as needed

Translator
English/Spanish speaking individuals are needed to help translate flyers and newsletters.

School Maintenance Helper
Work with PTA board to set dates for Fall and Spring clean up days. Create a list of projects, acquire necessary materials and coordinate volunteers on the day of the event.

School Newsletter Helper
Help write, edit, translate, layout and print our school newsletter, “Noticias”.

Kindergarten Welcome Picnic Helper
Create a flyer for a picnic held in August for incoming Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten families. Organize mailing labels and supplies, coordinate the picnic site, communicate with the Kindergarten and Pre-Kingergarten teachers.

Health and Physical Education Helper
Work on health and fitness issues at school and promote nutrition and health education topics to parents and school staff.

Community Partners and Providers

San Francisco Ballet
San Francisco Opera's Opera Ala Carte
San Francisco Symphony's Adventures in Music
Sports4Kids