Volunteer Opportunities
CLEARANCES
In order to volunteer you will need to obtain the clearances listed on the website as outlined by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Necessary Clearance Links:
Protecting God’s Children – In addition to the clearances listed on the website you will also need to attend the “Protecting God’s Children” class. The Virtus- Protecting God’s Children needs to be at least scheduled in advance by Monday 9/30/24 and you have to be able to show the reservation for the course and after the completion of the course to Jen Laub.
Additional Clearance Information:
-In order to start volunteering in October 2024 we are asking that you have all copies of your clearances into the main office and the rectory (keep a copy for yourself) by Monday 9/30/2024.
-If you are unsure if your clearances are up to date or have any questions please contact Jenn Laub: jlaub@sainthelenaschool.org
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There is a volunteer meeting that will go over the volunteer positions in more depth and provide additional information on updated policies and procedures. All new SHS volunteers are required to attend one meeting; past volunteers are encouraged to attend one meeting also to learn the new policies and procedures..
Meeting Dates:
Thursday 9/19/24 at 7:00pm or Friday 9/20/24 at 9:00am.
*Please RSVP for either meeting here Volunteer Meeting RSVP Form.
**If you are unable to attend either of these meeting dates but still wish to volunteer please reach out to megan.zazworskey@gmail.com.
Volunteer Positions:We thank you for your interest in volunteering at St. Helena’s School! Our parent volunteers help not only help the school run effectively but provide our parents with the opportunity to be more involved in our students’ learning and success!
Below are the numerous volunteer positions that are regular volunteer positions- meaning these positions will be consistent throughout the school year. Please note that there will be numerous other volunteer positions throughout the year for single events if you are unable to commit to a yearlong volunteer position.
**Please read through the volunteer opportunities and click on the link if you wish to add your name to the list for that position. Please add your name to the desired list by 9/17/24.
Homeroom Parent (PreK-8th)
This is a wonderful and fulfilling volunteer position. We are always seeking new faces and old faces for this job; so don’t be afraid to volunteer if you haven’t sought out this position before. Any new Homeroom Parent volunteer will be given a “Point of Contact” person to assist them, whether it be another parent from your class that has experienced the grade before, or last year’s Homeroom Parent.
As the Homeroom Parent, your responsibilities include the following:
- Communicate with your teacher early in the year to introduce yourself as their Homeroom Parent and determine your teacher’s expectations of your role. Determine with your teacher any events/parties for the upcoming school year. Touch base with your teacher on a regular basis and keep the lines of communication open.
- Establish a budget and collect monies at the beginning of the year to support events/parties/teacher birthday/teacher appreciation gift/end of year gift, etc. It is not the position of the Homeroom Parent to “fund” any expenses from their own pockets. You may also be in charge of a special area teachers gifts as well.
- Act as a liaison between the teacher and the parents to remind families of upcoming events when the teacher requests this of you.
2.) Photocopier (K-8th)
Photocopiers operate out of a separate photocopy room and are key to the ongoing operations of the teachers. On your given day, you will find, next to the machine, any teacher’s directions for photocopying certain materials for classroom instruction. Once copying is complete, you will place the copied materials in the teacher’s mailboxes. Our teachers rely heavily on photocopiers. Training on the photocopy machine will be offered for any photocopiers.
*We are looking for 1- 1.5 hours daily Monday- Friday. This can be a different volunteer every day.
4.) Art Express (K-8th)
Art Express volunteers work together in each class to set up, present the lessons and clean up afterward. Classes are an hour long and scheduled to meet twice a month. In addition, each class will need a team of parent volunteers to assist with the class projects. This program is run solely by parent volunteers and they are needed for each class. The classes that do not have volunteers, unfortunately, will not have art.
We are hoping for as many helpers as possible. If you do not want to or can not commit to being a class art lead there are still opportunities to help. Your lead will send out a sign up for each class throughout the year. All you need is an interest in art and a desire to work with the students. It truly is a fun and creative way to interact with your child and their classmates!
5.) Recess Volunteers (K-8th)
Morning Recess (7:50 am-8:10am)
If you drive your child to school each morning and have a few extra moments, this is the job for you. Assist the teacher assigned to morning recess in monitoring the students in the lot and patrolling the unloading of students from cars and buses.
Lunch Recess (11:55 am-1:05 pm)
A fun way to interact with the entire student body as well as with your own child. You will assist the teacher assigned to lunch recess in monitoring the students in the outdoor lot. On rainy days, you will assist inside the building, patrolling the classrooms along with the 8th grade safeties. This is a great volunteer position for those with toddlers. Warning…you will tie a lot of shoelaces! Recess guidelines will be given to all those who sign up and we will help answer any questions that may arise.
6.) Lunch Program (K-8th)
Meal Distribution Set-Up (11:50-1:05pm)
Our lunch program is totally volunteers willing to prepare (not cook a thing, more or less plate and serve) and offer hot meals for our children. You would be responsible for arriving early enough to prepare the meals for the day and distribute the hot meals to the students during the lunch periods. Brief training will be provided. You would not be responsible for purchasing food items.
Counter Helper (11:50-1:05pm)
This is another lunch program with lots of student interaction. The Counter Helpers “man” the counter where students purchase beverages and assorted snacks and desserts during the lunch period. We are hoping to bring this back this year! Counter helpers are also asked to take note and send information to Kate Pedicino with an accurate inventory (on certain days- if she is not there) of items that need to be replenished.
