Indianola Informal Alternative K-8 Parent Volunteer Handbook 2011-2012 PTO MISSION To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school and community. To bring closer the relationship of home and school so that parents and teachers may cooperate intelligently in the education of the child. To enhance the educational facilities and opportunities for the students of Indianola Informal K-8 School that are not otherwise provided for in the school corporation budgets. This booklet outlines the many opportunities for volunteerism at Indianola Informal. Each parent or guardian of an Indianola student is asked to contribute at least 10 hours of volunteer work to the school each
Transcript
Indianola Informal Alternative K-8Parent Volunteer Handbook
2011-2012
PTO MISSION
To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school and community.
To bring closer the relationship of home and school so that parents and teachers may
cooperate intelligently in the education of the child.
To enhance the educational facilities and opportunities for the students of Indianola Informal K-8 School that are not otherwise
provided for in the school corporation budgets.This booklet outlines the many opportunities for
volunteerism at Indianola Informal. Each parent or guardian of an Indianola student is asked to contribute at least 10
hours of volunteer work to the school each year. Most of the volunteer opportunities listed below can be performed, in
part or in whole, outside of school hours. If you have questions about any of these opportunities, or general
questions about volunteering at Indianola, please get in touch with the listed contact person, or with a member of
the volunteer committee: Mike Barnes ([email protected]), Mark Klingler
Fundraising CommitteeThis committee presents fundraising options to the PTO board. Committee members explore fundraising ideas to help support our
goals. They support event committees in planning and executing fundraising
events. The committee is always working for continued support of classrooms. Other goals for the coming year are under consideration. A few of our previous projects include globes for all classrooms, digital camera equipment, video cameras, a college scholarship fund for past students, math books, buses for field trips, artists in residence, and instrumental repairs for our music programs.Time involvement: varies with depth of involvement during the yearDates: varyContact: Jennifer Eichhorn ([email protected])
Sports Boosters Our 7th and 8th grade students participate in volleyball, basketball,
track and soccer programs throughout the year. Volunteers are needed to raise money for equipment, to buy and
distribute awards, and to organize an end of year banquet.Time involvement: 1-2 hour shifts at games/meets; 2-10 hours for
fundraising and organizing depending upon involvementDates: ongoingContact: No one has yet taken responsibility for this group. Please contact
a member of the volunteer committee (see page 2 of this Handbook)
Indianola Spirit Items This is the sale of T-shirts, etc. bearing the Indianola Informal logo or
design. We hope to have a contest next year to produce the following year’s logo.
Volunteers are needed to coordinate the production of such items and sell them during social functions, parent-teacher conferences and other gatherings.
PTO sponsors sale of these items to support our community at Indy and to raise awareness of Indianola in the greater community.
Time involvement: up to 20 hours through the year to coordinate work shifts for salesDates: Ice Cream Social, fall 2012; Open House, fall 2012; parent-teacher
conferences, Nov. 2012; student-led conferences, Feb. 2012; Spring Carnival, May 2012
Principal's Fundraiser Volunteers are needed to check and distribute goods when received,
and to organize next year’s fundraiser. All profits support the Principal's Fund, which Mrs. Moser uses for
books, paper supplies and equipment for classrooms.Time involvement: 4 hoursDates: November 2012Contact: Kathryn Moser ([email protected]) 365-5579
Book Fair This book sale operates through Scholastic Books. Hundreds of
books are available. Help is needed to assist students in selecting books during browsing
times, complete order forms and aid in the buying process, and organize next year’s sale.
Conducting a book sale for the Indianola Community is a regular PTO fall fundraiser that brings monies to our library and books to our children.
Time involvement: 2-hour shiftsDates: November 11-18, 2011; November 2012 (week of fall parent-teacher conferences)Contact: Jennifer Nolte ([email protected])
Holiday Tree Sale This winter, holiday trees are pre-sold during November. Trees are
delivered to Indianola for pickup in early December. Volunteers are needed to collate orders and to distribute trees when
they are delivered. We also need volunteers to organize next year’s sale.
Time involvement: up to 8 hours for ordering; 2-hour shifts when trees are deliveredDates: early November; delivery early DecemberContact: Ron House ([email protected])
Spring Carnival Serves as both a fundraiser and family fun day as new families are
invited to mingle and play with current families. Volunteers are needed for soliciting items for raffle or silent auction,
advertising the event to the Indianola community and beyond, organizing kid-friendly crafts, staffing the door, setup and cleanup, and organizing next year’s event.
Time involvement: 1-3 hours for solicitation of donations; 1-3 hours for advertising; up to 15 hours for organizing; 1 hour shifts for door staffing, setup and cleanup.
No Stuff Fundraiser This fundraiser gives families a chance to support the Indianola
community without selling anything! Volunteers are needed to set up contribution forms, promote the
event to the Indianola community, contribute ideas on how to make the event a success, and otherwise help with organization.
Time involvement: 4 hoursDates: the fundraiser is ongoing, but will be promoted in February and March 2012Contact: Jennifer Eichhorn ([email protected])
Plant Sale An extensive list of annuals, perennials, herbs and vegetables is
offered for sale. Orders are submitted and plants arrive several weeks later. Plants are delivered to Indianola for pickup.
Volunteers compile individual orders into a master order. The day of delivery, help is needed to sort and inventory plants, then break into individual orders. A general knowledge of perennials, annuals and vegetables is helpful. Once orders are sorted, volunteers are needed to assist with pickups.
Profits support our general funding, and the upkeep and beautification of our grounds.
The plant sale has supported our school since the ‘98-‘99 school year.
Time involvement: 2-hour shifts for unloading, sorting & pickup Dates: April (orders) and May (delivery) 2012 Contact: Rico Jones ([email protected])
Music Fundraiser Many Indianola families include members of professional bands. A
local establishment hosts several of these bands for the Indianola parents and adult friends to enjoy. All cover charge fees go to the PTO fund.
Volunteers are needed to contact bands, arrange logistics, and advertise the event to the Indianola community and beyond.
Time involvement: 4 hoursDate: as arranged Contact: Ben Arnold ([email protected])
Collectibles & Grocery Dividends General Mills and Betty Crocker box tops and printer toner
cartridges are collected, then submitted for redemption. Kroger and Giant Eagle shoppers may also sign up to have a portion of their sales dedicated to Indianola.
Parent Welcome BreakfastsThese take place the first two days that kindergarteners report to school in August. They are intended to welcome parents or guardians of children who are new to the school. Parents or guardians of returning children are also encouraged to
attend and welcome new families. Volunteers are needed to host and provide food these two
mornings. This is the PTO's way of welcoming and inviting folks to become part of the Indianola Community.
Time involvement: food preparation time, 2 hour shifts to host/clean upDates: August 2012Contact: no one has yet taken responsibility for this event. Please contact
a member of the volunteer committee (see page 2 of this Handbook)
Ice Cream Social Each fall Indianola hosts an evening with ice cream and
entertainment for our families. Volunteers are needed for setup, cleanup, serving, and
entertainment. This social event in the fall is a time to welcome everyone to
another great year at Indianola Informal.Time involvement: from 1/2 hour shifts for serving to 1 hour for setup or cleanupDates: September 2012Contact: Jennifer Alexander ([email protected])
Wienie Roast at Lynd’s Fruit Farm The whole family is invited to sit around the campfire, roast hotdogs
and marshmallows, explore the corn maze, and have other kinds of fall fun at Lynd’s Fruit Farm in Pataskala.
Volunteers are needed to plan and advertise the event, make arrangements with Lynd’s, purchase food and supplies, etc.
Time involvement: 2 - 4 hoursDates: a Friday evening in late October 2012Contact: Rob Cohen ([email protected])
During conferences in November and February, the PTO provides dinner one evening for teachers.
Volunteers are needed as hosts and for food donations. Time involvement: food preparation time; 2-hour shifts to host/clean upDates: November 10, 2011 and February 16, 2012Contact: Julie Hughes ([email protected])
Staff Appreciation Week This week in February entails daily events or surprises to show our
appreciation to the hard-working staff at Indianola. Volunteers plan for and coordinate this week.Time involvement: up to 10 hoursDates: February 13-17 Contact: Jacinda Baker ([email protected])
SUPPORT & ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIESClassrooms Most teachers welcome volunteer assistance with tasks such as
hanging up student’s work, organizing materials, stuffing Friday folders, photocopying, turning on and logging onto computers, etc.
Some teachers also appreciate the presence of adults in the room to assist students with tasks, or to help guide group work.
Time involvement: 1 hour or more, as arranged with the teacherDates: as arrangedContact: parent room rep or classroom teacher
Mileage Club An opportunity twice a week for children who arrive at school early
to get exercise by walking laps around the Calumet playground, earning coveted tokens for every 20 laps.
It’s also an opportunity for adults to chat with other volunteer parents, and to meet kids from all grades.
Volunteers are needed to set up and put away materials and to stamp cards.
Time involvement: 1/2 hour to 2 hours per weekDate: Tuesday and Thursday mornings as weather permits throughout the
school year, 8:20 am - 8:50 amContact: Cass Freeland ([email protected])
Chess ClubIndianola is a former chess powerhouse. Since losing our coach, the chess club now exists only for middle schoolers with the generous help of some CAHS students. We are seeking a coach who can help expand the club. Also, for more casual involvement, anyone with a good knowledge
of chess and enthusiasm for helping kids learn the game would be warmly welcomed.
Time involvement: 1 to 2 hour per weekDates: throughout the school year
Contact: no one has yet taken responsibility for this club. Please contact a member of the volunteer committee (see page 2 of this Handbook)
Food MattersFood Matters is a nutrition education program that takes place on Fridays in selected K-1 classrooms. Volunteers are needed to assist with lessons and food preparation in
the classrooms; with setup and cleanup; with food preparation prior to classes; with planning and coordination; and to teach the curriculum.
Parents or guardians can choose to assist in their own child’s classroom
Time involvement: 1 hour per week or moreDates: throughout the school yearContact: Holly Ruggerio ([email protected])
Website Committee The Indianolakids.org Website is an increasingly important source of
information for our school. Site administrator Ray Arebalo needs volunteers to provide content for the site, post content, keep information current, suggest and implement improvements in layout and design, and monitor the site for accuracy and relevance.
Technical knowledge is useful but not required. (Our site is published using WordPress). Occasional training sessions provided.
Time involvement: 1 hour per week or moreDate: ongoingContact: Cass Freeland ([email protected])
Invention Convention Each fourth grader, and any other Indianola students who want to
participate, comes up with an original idea for an invention. Students build prototypes, create displays, and prepare
presentations to introduce their inventions. They compete against each other to have their ideas and presentations judged the best. Winners go on to the district-wide competition.
Volunteers are needed to prepare and set up for the one-day event, and to serve as judges to score students’ inventions.
Time involvement: about 2 hours for judging; time for setup and planning variesDate: February 2012Contact: Cass Freeland ([email protected])
College Scholarship Award Presented to alumni of Indianola who are graduating from high
school. Applications are sent to area high schools by March and are
selected via a random drawing at the spring Potluck. Notifies the recipient and sends the award monies after recipient's
school schedule is received.Time involvement: to 5 hours Dates: March through May Contact: no one has yet taken responsibility for this award. Please contact
a member of the volunteer committee (see page 2 of this Handbook)
Garden/Outdoor Learning Environment The Outdoor Learning Environment at Indianola comprises an edible
garden, butterfly habitat, bird sanctuary, pawpaw patch, herb garden, and flower beds.
The OLE is conceived as a living learning lab for Indianola students, allowing students to raise food, create habitat, and learn about the natural world. It is being used as a teaching resource in numerous classrooms.
Adult volunteers are needed to help with the maintenance of the garden beds, purchase bird food, work as classroom volunteers, document the activities throughout the garden, participate on a steering committee, and write grants.
Time involvement: as little or as much as you chooseDates: throughout the year, including summer monthsContact: Cindy Gunn ([email protected]) .
PTO Nominating Committee Members of the committee meet with the chair a minimum of 2
times to identify and nominate the best-qualified, available nominee for each elected office.
Submits a report to the board by the May PTO meeting.Time involvement: up to 4 hoursDates: Begin meeting in MarchContact: no one has yet taken responsibility for this committee. Contact a
member of the volunteer committee (see page 2 of this Handbook)
Volunteer CommitteeOne of the most important factors in making a great school is parental involvement. The Volunteer Committee is committed to getting more adults involved in their children’s school. Committee members identify volunteer opportunities at Indianola
and match parents or guardians to those tasks. The committee is responsible for distributing and collecting
volunteer interest forms at the start of each year, keeping the Volunteer Handbook up to date, and guiding potential volunteers to the right volunteer tasks.
Time involvement: 1-2 hours/week or less most of the school year; more in the fallDates: ongoing; most activity is at the start of the school yearContact: Mike Barnes ([email protected])
