Volunteer Opportunities
ONGOING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
BUY-A-BOOK - Students love the honor of having books dedicated to them! Volunteers needed to set up merchandise, staff the event, and label books.
ENRICHMENT - Enrichment is an opportunity for parents to select and arrange fabulous curriculum-enhancing in-school events featuring science, arts, social studies, language arts, etc. for each grade level (with committee). Tasks include: meet with committee a few times per year; phone calls/emails to book the programs; and attend the program on the day of the event. Enrichment is such a huge and vital part of the “Sherman School Experience”; one that we cannot afford for our children to miss.
FIFTH GRADE COMMITTEE - Parents of fifth grade students help organize and run various fund raising events (Sherman Skates, Election Day Bake Sale, Tag Sale, Pie Sale, Pasta Dinner, Pancake Breakfast, Spring Fair, and Car Wash). The funds raised go toward the class gift, 5th Grade yearbook, and help offset the cost of the class trip. In addition, special events like D.A.R.E. graduation, Field Day/Movie Day and end of year party are planned. The previous year's committee leaders have left detailed notes, and the fundraising has already begun with ice cream sales last June! There's LOTS to do with this committee, so if you've got a 5th grader, please join the team of parents and 5th-grade teachers and help to make the final Sherman year truly memorable. A Fifth Grade Committee Chair is already in place, but looking for parents who would like to chair one of the events or simply be an event team member.
GENERAL MILLS BOX TOPS - Assist in collecting, trimming and counting of General Mills Box Tops, which we redeem for money to help subsidize PTA programs at Sherman. This is an excellent position for the parent with preschoolers, since most of it can be done at your convenience from home.
GREEN COMMITTEE - Volunteers needed to give 45-minute presentations (we will train you) in a few classrooms (grades 3-5) about the importance of the 3 R's (recycle, reuse and reduce), composting and other environmental topics. We also are planning for monthly recycling collections and possibly a fundraiser to promote reusable lunch-food containers. Green ideas welcome!
GUIDED READING ROOM - We need volunteers to cover 3 days a week (any time of day) to put away the guided reading books, and to maintain organization. You may sign up for once a week, or every other week, as your schedule allows. Ideal if you are able to stay after drop off, and spend 15 – 45 minutes in the resource room. This is separate from the library; the collection consists of the books used in children’s classroom reading groups. Training will be provided.
LANDSCAPE - “Adopt” a flowerbed outside the school or in the courtyard to keep Sherman School looking its best for all of us. This work can be done almost anytime. This is a good possibility for working parents.
LIBRARY VOLUNTEER - The Sherman Library Media Center (LMC) is a wonderful place to spend a few hours a week, as your time permits. Your children love to see you when they come in to find books or work on projects. You will see how the media center plays an integral part with their curriculum units. Jobs include working at the circulation desk, shelving books, creating displays, processing, organizing and assisting students. We will be happy to work around your busy schedule, and we are very flexible.
OFFICE HELP - Volunteers are needed in the office to listen to and record absentee messages from 8:45 -9:15am. Other help would include filing the mail (catalogues, fliers, etc. that come in) and updating the bulletin board in the main hallway.
OPERATION HOPE MEALS - This local organization is committed to finding innovative solutions to homelessness. Once a month, the Sherman community has agreed to provide a dinner (main dish, vegetable/salad, and fruit/dessert) for 45 people who use the community kitchen. Meals are prepared in your own kitchen and delivered ready to serve at 4:30. This is a great way for families, scout troops, and other school groups to help our local individuals and families in need.
ORGANIC SCHOOL GARDEN - Sherman school has an Organic School Garden used by students, teachers and volunteers for many educational opportunities. The garden is used as a tool to teach students about healthy foods, agriculture, science, math, social studies, and community. We need volunteers for set-up, gardening, and fundraising. We need a great grant writer. You don’t have to have a green thumb to help. The time commitment varies depending on how you would like to help.
SCHOOL STORE - Volunteers are needed to assist in the operation of the School Store, which is typically open at lunchtime, every other Wednesday. This is a LOT of fun, and gives our children an opportunity to replenish their school supplies.
SHAPE - The Sherman Health and Physical Excellence (SHAPE) Committee was formed to encourage and promote health awareness in the Roger Sherman Elementary community. The SHAPE Chairperson is responsible for the Turkey Trot and "No TV Week". Volunteers are needed to help integrate healthful approaches at school, and in PTA programs and activities.
SPIRIT WEAR - Volunteers are needed to help sell merchandise at school events.
STAFF LUNCHEONS – The PTA provides 4 luncheons per school year to Sherman staff (Back to School, Holiday, Teacher Appreciation, and End of Year). There is already a volunteer coordinator in place for each of the luncheons, but family donations are always appreciated and add a special touch to say thank you to our teachers. Volunteers are needed to help bake, prepare, or purchase a special dish to contribute to one (or more!) of the luncheons.
TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS - Indoor Air Quality committee: TFS was designed by the EPA and supported by Fairfield Public Schools to help ensure a healthy learning and working environment in our schools. As you know, asthma and allergies have reached an all time high and affect many of our students and faculty. It is more important than ever that we help our administration provide clean, healthy air in the schools.
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CLASSROOM BASED ACTIVITIES
ART IN THE CLASSROOM - Art in the Classroom is an art appreciation program for grades K-5. Volunteers present six lessons throughout the school year, each focusing on a piece of art on display at the Met in New York. The time commitment is an hour per session plus preparation time. No art history background is necessary. This can be done solo or as a team.
C.A.N.E. (CT Audubon Nature Explorers) - Provide hands-on learning and fun in your child’s K-2 science curriculum. C.A.N.E is sponsored by CT Audubon Society. Each class needs 2-3 volunteers who are thoroughly trained by the Audubon staff in topics such as “Animals Preparing for Winter” and “Seashore Life”. Three sessions throughout the school year are presented, one of which is a field trip. No science or teaching experience necessary; just the love of the outdoors and children.
MILL RIVER GUIDES - Participate in your child's grades 3-5 science curriculum by guiding small group tours at Perry's Mill. The Mill River Wetland Committee provides a thorough training (1 indoor/1 outdoor class) about Fairfield's river basin system. Your total time commitment, including training, is 8-10 hours. This is done seasonally throughout the school year. No previous science or teaching experience is necessary.
ROOM PARENT - to sign up for this, PLEASE ATTEND THE ROOM PARENTS MEETING on Sept. 11th at 9:15 a.m. in the APR. This is the best way to become involved with your child’s classroom. Room Parents coordinate with the teachers to organize parent volunteers for class holiday parties, field trips, Spring Fair baskets and other school functions. The teacher determines each class’s specific needs.
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*BACK TO SCHOOL BASH - An all-school catered (i.e. Super Duper Weenie) event held outdoors to reconnect with Sherman families and meet new ones. Volunteers needed to help organize, set/clean up, etc.
*THE BEACH BASH (Parent/Teacher Social) - Fun filled evening for parents and teachers in May. Volunteers needed to help plan the event, sell tickets and set/clean-up.
*BINGO - Helpers needed for this fun winter event to sell bingo cards, call numbers, run prizes, sell snacks and set/clean up.
*BOOK FAIR - Volunteers are needed to set up merchandise, assist children with their selections, act as salespersons the days of the fair, and pack up merchandise the final day.
*DADS’ NIGHT OUT WITH KIDS - Parents needed to sell snacks, run games and set/clean up.
*DIVERSITY DAY - Hands-on workshop held for fourth graders. Students get to experience the everyday challenges of living with blindness, dyslexia, physical limitations, etc. It’s a heart-warming way to build bridges and understanding for students and parents alike. Volunteers needed to help with PR, programming and staffing the stations.
*FAMILY PICNIC - Fun-filled evening for the entire family in June. Volunteers needed to help organize, set/clean up, etc.
*HALLOWEEN DANCE - This family event is generally on a Friday evening in the APR. We need parents to chaperone, decorate, solicit door prizes, and sell refreshments, set/clean up.
*HOLIDAY FAIR - Many volunteers are needed for this great day! In preparation for this event, we need shoppers to purchase items to sell and crafty people to make items to sell. The day of the fair, we need help to staff the various booths, help the younger children shop or assist with set up/clean up.
*MOMS’ NIGHT OUT - Mom’s Night Out is a festive social event held at a local venue in May. Committee members are needed to organize the entertainment, refreshments, raffles and vendors.
*MOVIE NIGHT - Volunteers are needed to sell tickets and snacks, as well as set/clean up.
*PICTURE DAY - Volunteers are needed in the Fall to help prep the students, fill out forms, and maintain order the day of the shoot, preferably a two-hour or three-hour shift. After proofs are received, orders need to be verified.
*SPRING FAIR - The Spring Fair will be held on a Saturday. Help is needed in many areas such as baking, working booths and children's games, raffles and refreshments, etc. This is a great opportunity for working parents to have some fun and meet friends.
*VISION TESTING (fall) - Volunteers are needed to help the nurse test the children's eyes in the fall.
*WALKATHON - NEW THIS YEAR! The goal of the Walkathon is for children to make a visible contribution to their school, build a sense of community, promote school spirit and encourage healthy exercise. The hope is that this will be a huge fundraiser to fund many of our events throughout the year. Volunteers needed to solicit sponsorships, market the event, manage donations and pledges, map and staff the course, and provide hospitality the day of the event. Look for more information in September Shark Bytes and on the PTA website.
