Field Trips

Every year each class requires help with planning and organizing field trips, in addition to needing parent drivers/chaperones for the outings.

Classroom

If your strength is hands-on work with students or just helping teachers with routine tasks, there are many opportunities. The teachers need assistance with a variety of things, including group math exercises, reading conferences, computer lab, special research projects, copying, or putting together displays/materials.

Sandburg Events

We are fortunate to reside in a fantastic neighborhood school that sponsors fun and enriching events. Discovery students participate in Sandburg’s Fun Run, Carnival, Field Day, Teacher Appreciation, Music Concerts and more. We need volunteers several times a year to help staff or serve on committees that plan these events.

Community Service

Discovery Community Service projects really distinguish us from other schools. Projects during the year include preparing and serving a meal for Seattle homeless; maintenance of the Sandburg grounds to keep the ‘Herbicide Free’ status; and other efforts to support our communities – local and worldwide.

Holiday Events

In order to make sure our students have a memorable experience on special holidays, our room parents (a key volunteer position) recruit parents to help with the festivities.

Communications

Because we are a busy school, communications materials are many, and volunteers prepare most of them. We publish a monthly newsletter, weekly e-mailed news briefs and event-specific fliers as needed. Each year we also prepare a student yearbook and annual report, and volunteers work on updating and distributing school handbooks.

Committees / Other

Besides some of the categories listed above, there are other committees that do great work for the school. These include the Technology Committee, Facilities, Enrollment, Finance, and Volunteer Support. We also need volunteers to manage a teacher appreciation program, to handle class book orders and other limited projects that are perfect for families who can’t commit to something more extensive in the year. If any of these fit your skills/interests, think about joining.

Camps

We sponsor overnight camps each year. Camp requires a lot of planning and coordination, but it is Incredibly fun and your kids will talk about their camp experiences for years.

Some General Thoughts on Volunteering

Think about your skills and strengths and volunteer accordingly.

Don’t be afraid to volunteer right away. Everything can be ‘learned on the job.’ Most importantly, you are needed.

Even though it may seem that there are members who have been with the community for several years and are getting a lot of things done, we still need new parents to participate as much as they comfortably can. The children of ‘old’ parents eventually graduate, so ‘new blood’ is always helpful.

If you need more information about a volunteer opportunity, like how long it will take or what specifically you would do, don’t be afraid to call the Volunteer Coordinator (see phone number and e-mail above).

Everyone has a lot on his / her plate these days, so sometimes we don’t have time to include all the details right away, but answers are within reach. Have fun!