There are a lot of ways in which YOU can get involved at Thornhill – during or outside classroom hours. Choose the way that works with your schedule, interests, and abilities. Everyone’s help is needed – even from parents new to the school! No contributions are too small!
Why You Should Volunteer at Thornhill
- Your child will love having you present at school activities!
- Spending time with your child and his peers gives you a sense of how your child behaves relative to others his age.
- It’s a terrific way to get to know other families at the school and build friendships.
- It’s a great way to give your child a sense of community.
- The time and energy you give to the school will enrich the lives of many.
- Let’s face it – the state of California pays for less than it used to – so parents need to step up to make the difference. (Hey – people volunteer a lot at private schools, too!)
Volunteering Inside the Classroom
The cooperation and teamwork of the staff and parent volunteers at Thornhill provides our children with an exceptional learning and school environment. Please let your child’s teacher know how you are interested in helping with classroom-related activities at your child’s Back-to-School Night or any time later in the school year. Please keep in mind that a volunteer in the classroom is an aide to the teacher, who is in charge of the curriculum and students:
- Class Parties: Lead or assist, bring food or utensils, plan a game or activity
- Cultural Background Activity: Share your cultural background: Chinese New Year calligraphy writing, St. Nicholas Day lanterns, Moroccan henna designs, Kwanza songs
- Art Classes: Use available lesson plans, lead or assist, make collages, draw like Picasso, build sculptures with wood scraps, create individual photo albums
- Science Classes: Use available “hands on” science kits, lead or assist, make gak, create a rainforest terrarium, build marshmallow geometric structures
- Prep Art Materials: Make copies, cut up diagrams, assemble materials for teacher
- Plant Bulbs: Use available handouts and plant bulbs in fall with children
- Share your knowledge , skills, and interests: All About My Job, Raising Rabbits, Let’s Make a Game Board
- Oratorical Presentation: Assist or lead practices and/or choreograph movements
- Field Trips: Suggest or plan an outing, drive kids
- Read with the children
- Assemble homework packages
Volunteering Outside the Classroom
Here’s a sampling of ways in which you – moms or dads – can get involved at the school, outside of the classroom. These options work well for those who can’t volunteer during school hours. Please pay attention to the requests for help that you receive during the school year, join the fun, and do your share!
- Serve as Room Parent for your child’s class
- Coordinate auction donations for the Annual Benefit
- Assist with the computerized “check out” for the Annual Benefit
- Coordinate the Quick Drop Program
- Open car doors in front of the Quick Drop lane in morning
- Organize a pot-luck class party in a park
- Lend a helping hand on “Site Improvement” work days
- Stamp cards as kids walk laps around the school at the Walkathon
- Put away tables and chairs at close of the Walkathon
- Write grants to fund special programs
- Set up Carnival game booths
- Plan a special performance at the Carnival
- Prepare and serve food to eat at the Carnival
- Be in charge of the opening and closing of school café umbrellas
- Help maintain the school website
- Be a political parent representative for the school at district events
- Find someone to come perform or talk at a school assembly
- Set up a new after-school enrichment class: ie. cooking, tai-chi, clowning
- Bring goodies to eat and drink to PFC meetings
- Help sew costumes and paint decorations for the school play
- Set up a community service project
- Do graphic layout for PFC school literature
- Support Thornhill kids selling Ra Ra Raffle tickets at 7-11, Farmer’s Market, etc.
- Join the Dad’s Club events throughout the year
PFC Board Positions
Once you’re ready for the next step, you can join the Parent Faculty Club (PFC) Board and be in charge of PFC school events or programs. These leadership positions offer you the chance to make a big impact on the quality of the experience your child will have at school. A listing of the positions and their responsibilities can be found on the PFC Directory page .
