“Volunteers don’t necessarily have the time,

                                                                           they just have the heart”

                                                                                            Unknown

So much of our efforts to date this year have been spent on our major fundraisers. While these fundraisers are a critical part of our organization, doing great work for our school doesn’t require big bucks. In other words, we don’t exist to fundraise; we fundraise to do our important work. We can do our important work on any budget. $18.04 was the estimated dollar value of an hour of volunteer time in 2005, but to our students there is no dollar value. The time spent volunteering to them is priceless.

Research supports the links between school communication and parental involvement is crucial to student achievement. Studies show that schools with a high level of volunteers also experience:
-- Higher grade point averages and scores on standardized tests.
-- More classes passed.
-- Higher enrollment in more challenging academic classes.
-- Better attendance.
-- Improved behavior at home and at school.

Parents and principals cite lack of time as the most common barrier to increased involvement, but research identifies lack of planning for partnerships and lack of mutual understanding as the two greatest barriers to effective family involvement.

In schools where teachers reported high -- levels of outreach to parents, test scores grew at a rate 40% higher than in schools where teachers reported low levels of outreach. While 98% of teachers believe that effective teachers need to work with students’ families and 90% see it as one of their school’s priorities, they also find that it us the area for which they feel least prepared.

Community support contributes to the following changes in schools:
-- Upgraded school facilities.
-- Improved school leadership and staffing.
-- Higher quality learning programs for students.
-- New resources and programs for students.
-- New resources and programs to improve teaching and curriculum.
-- New funding for after school programs and family supports.

The evidence is clear that effective two-way communication plays a major role in school and student success. All of us need to do more in making sure our teachers and principals have the tools and confidence they need in getting better at student, school and home communication.

Let’s face it. Most parents think that if they volunteer once, they’ll constantly be called on to help out throughout the year. However, if we each make a choice to volunteer for 2 hours/year-it would make a huge impact at our school! Please consider doing “Two for You!” for your child.