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fn. rn Pp ah Baten "A Family Tradition for 131 Years" Making schools work Volunteers are giving of their time to help make a variety of programs, from remedial reading to school trips, possible By Heather McCrae Port Perry Star Have you ever won- dered who that friendly voice belongs to when you dial your school's Safe Arrival number? Or do you know all the adults who accompanied your child's class on their last day trip? These people are volunteers. Folks who give of their time and labor. Without them, schools would not function as well as they do. "Without volunteers, our children would miss out on a lot, such as spe- cial events and individual help," says Georgeen Cochrane, the academic 'resource teacher at S. A. Cawker P.S. who heads up the school's volunteer program. For example, on school trips it's essential to have one volunteer for every five pupils in the primary and junior grades. "If volunteers don't fill this bill, then the students don't get to go on this ven- ture," said Mrs. Cochrane. Parents, grandpar- ents, nannies, even retired teachers who are: interested in supporting children volunteer their services in our schools. They give what time they can, whether it be a two-hour shift doing Safe Arrival phone duty, a few hours weekly in the class- room, or volunteering to drive students to sports and cultural events. Others provide academic coaching with students on a one-to-one ratio. The list of what volun- teers can do and accom- plish is endless. Recently at S. A. Cawker, the librarian held a three-day book fair that sees all proceeds going toward the purchase of new books. Held twice annually, the event would never happen without the support of the six volun- teers who help man this event. "Our volunteers are people who have a special place in their hearts for children," Mrs. Cochrane said. "If you didn't love kids, then you wouldn't volunteer your free time with them." At R. H. Cornish, where Kathy Chase heads up the popular volunteer pro- gram, people from the community play a vital role in the school. "I'm really impressed with the time and energy they give," she said. French-speaking vol- unteers help out in the language classes and, at Cornish where French Immersion is offered, many volunteers help out. "The kids definitely benefit from their help," Mrs. Chase said. Gerry Fis, principal at Greenbank and Epsom Public Schools, feels vol- unteers offer a significant contribution to tte schools. "When a teacher has a class of 25 or so students some pupils may need some extra help, and our volunteers are there to effective January 1998. apply. the following requirements: E THE FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION ADVISORY Oty thers Tey COMMITTEE The Family Life Education Advisory Committee (FLEAC) is seeking one community representative in the jurisdiction of the Durham Board of Education. This appointment to the Family Life Education Advisory Committee (FLEAC) will be The term of the new community representative will be three years. Any eligible public school ratepayer who is not a parent of a school-aged child and who resides in the jurisdiction of the Durham Board of Education is welcome to An eligible public school ratepayer is a person who satisfies a) is eighteen (18) years of age or more; b) is a Canadian citizen. Interested applicants should apply in writing by December 12,1997, including a resume, to Kaye Egan, Superintendent of Education, The Durham Board of Education, 400 Taunton Road East, Whitby, Ontario L1R 2K6. give it," he said. "I like to send out the message that school is not just a place for students and teachers," Mr. Fis said. "Our school is part of the community, and we welcome anyone who wants to help." Volunteers should not feel intimidated about helping if they're not familiar with school rou- tines. It's up to the teach- er to instruct them what to do. "It's neat having them here, as they can see what school is all about," Ann Rink, volunteer co-ordi- nator at Cartwright Central PS said. "We don't want parents to feel intimidated. We want them to understand our schools." At Immaculate Conception Catholic School volunteers also help to do clerical work in the school office, and pro- duce a newsletter regu- larly. They are also found working in the library, and other classes through- out the school. "Some of our volunteers help out so much, it may seem like a part-time job," principal Gerry O'Reilly said. Margaret Fraser has volunteered most of her life, starting when her own children were in school. Now she volun- teers every Tuesday morn- ing in the Junior Kindergarten class at Immaculate Conception, where four of her grand- children attend classes. "I love to see how the wee children advance every month," she says. When you look about the schools and see new equipment, you can bet the purchases were made from fundraisers. A prime example in Port Perry is the effort that helped raise the parent council's con- tribution toward a long- awaited crosswalk on Hwy. 7A. At Epsom and Greenbank schools, a unique scheme saw fundraising money, spent to buy used tennis balls. The balls were cut on top in the form of an 'X', and fitted over the bottoms of chair legs. This greatly reduces the racket made by chairs when they're slid across the tiled floors in the portables. Throughout the year, schools hold teas or socials to recognize the efforts of the people who help make local schools a more enjoy- able place of learning. If you feel you can give a couple of hours daily or a few hours a week, give your school a call. (formerly Seagrave Country Store) Wanamaker 3 General. $ Lore Old Fashioned Country $3 Service and Value ot 102 River Street Seagrave, (905) 985-2651 fax (905) 985-3002 Ontario QPEN ING SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6/97 Official Ribbon Cutting ~ 1:00 p.m. Santa arrives at 2:00 p.m. _ Visit with children (: IT Candy for Kids Coffee for Parents Draws GROCERIES * GAS * VIDEOS Pam & Wayne { DELIVERY AVAILABLE Wanamaker PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, December 2, 1997 - 11 PARA RN TURE RA AON pe Parents, grandparents, nannies, even retired teachers volunteer their services in our schools. When S.A. Cawker PS held its annual book fair recently, it was run by 6 volunteers. In photo, Grade 3 pupil Destinee Parker, is helped to select a book by parent volunteer Carla Puckrin. If you feel you can spare a few hours a week, please call your school. : LINDSAY DRY CLEANERS 5% OFF} (oT a IF 11 oY lo [=T&5 E gy over $15.00 Bi 1-800-798-3401 3.50% Rates subject to change without notice SCUGOG FINANCIAL SERVICES INC. 250 QUEEN STREET - PORT PERRY "Serving Scugog for Over 15 Years" PHONE 985-3832 - No Fees (705) 324-2166 |