Explain the jobs volunteers will be filling and provide a little information about the school environment. This might include information about fire drills, emergency calls, how to use the phone system, how to handle discipline issues, and the ethics involved with volunteering particularly regarding student confidentiality. Make sure to match up volunteers with jobs that can use their particular skills or provide them with opportunities to develop new skills. It s also important to thank parent volunteers for their efforts. This can be as simple as thank you cards, a tea or a coffee, or a wall of fame.
Adult support is vitally important for children, especially as they reach middle and high school.
However, it s harder to get parent volunteers to work in middle and high schools. That s when parents really need to be visible in the schools. Kids need to be validated. Not all high schools are lacking parent volunteers, however. They match the students profiles with appropriate colleges and help students make decisions about their future education.