If you are interested in volunteering with the elementary school, please click here to fill out the Elementary Volunteer Form.
Contact Information
Caroline Street Elementary School
Dr. Daniel Packard, (518) 584-7612
Division Street Elementary School
Mrs. Dana Bush, (518) 583-4794
Dorothy Nolan Elementary School
Ms. Courtney Jablonski, (518) 584-7383
Geyser Road Elementary School
Mr. Cody Conley, (518) 584-7699
Greenfield Elementary School
Mrs. Tina Davis, (518) 893-7402
Lake Avenue Elementary School
Elizabeth Carroll, (518) 584-3678
Volunteer Program Goals
- To utilize talents and resources of the community in our schools to enrich student learning.
- To assist teachers, thus providing more time for instruction.
- To contribute to a more informed community which actively support the school program.
- To model the importance of school and education for your child and all children.
- To expand community understandings of the District’s goals and programs.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities for parents and community members to be involved in our school.
Here is a sampling of things that we might need help with:
- Working in classrooms
- Computer/Technology Lab
- Literacy Programs
- Clerical Support
- Serving on a district or school committee
- Parent/Teacher Association (H.S.A., P.T.A., P.T.S.O.)
- Classroom presentations
- Library Media Center
- Grant Writing Opportunities
Classroom volunteers are welcome! At each level the type of help needed varies. Our youngest children are more dependent on adult support. In these classrooms, you’re usually in charge of a center-based activity. Our older children are more independent. They require less adult support. In these classrooms, you usually function as a facilitator of an activity.
Please see the attached Volunteer Information Sheet to let us know which volunteer activities you are interested in!
Routine Procedures*
To ensure the safety of all of our students, please adhere to the following:
- Sign in and out at the attendance office
- Wear your visitor identification in a visible location at all times.
- Go directly to your destination and do not wander. This is important for the
safety of our students, staff, and volunteers.
Guidelines for Volunteers
- Please maintain confidentiality. You will be working with children in an educational setting.
- Individual student learning styles, abilities, and any discipline issues are not to be discussed or shared. This would include social or emotional difficulties on the part of the students. If a student reveals something to you that causes concern, please see the staff member in charge or a building administrator.
- Staff members also have the right to confidentiality. The style of teaching varies from teacher to teacher. This includes personalities. Any concerns should be directed to the building administrator.
- Please complete the “Application for Volunteers” and “Student Privacy and Confidentiality Statement” (attached) and submit to the main office.
- Please become familiar with and abide by the district and school handbooks, policies and please be flexible. Remember you are at school to help all students. You will be making a contribution whether you are working with your child’s class or in another setting.
- Please be reliable. Remember that students and staff members depend on you. Call the main office if you are running late or not able to volunteer as scheduled. We schedule our activities with your help in mind.
- Please be a role model. Remember that you are acting as a role model for the students. Conduct yourself according to our 3 Promises: to be responsible, respectful and caring. Please remember that a school is a professional work space and dress is important in this environment.
- Please refrain from initiating an informal conference with the teacher during
volunteer time. - Please refer any discipline issues or concerns to the staff in charge.
Tips for Working with Children
- Introduce yourself to the children and learn their names.
- Before jumping right into the task, take some time to get to know the students.
- Find out specifically what the teacher wants you to work on. The activity you are doing is a planned activity to support the curriculum.
- Encourage children to do their best work.
- Provide positive feedback to students as you work with them.
- Encourage students to do their own work. Students are provided activities to practice necessary skills.
- Discuss classroom management techniques with the teacher
Learning Styles
Children learn in a variety of ways. Your individual learning style is the way you learn best.
- Auditory Learners: They learn best through verbal demonstration.
- Visual Learners: They learn best by observing.
- Tactile Learners: They learn best by doing.