A Blue Ribbon Community Effort

by Nancy Gorman
CTE Web Site Content Editor

A Personal Commentary:

We read in the papers and internet columns, and hear on the radio and news programs, that the cutbacks in the education systems are going to be disruptive to the way we have things going now.  Most of us will rue these reductions in personnel, programs, athletics, after-school groups, etc.  This cannot be helped, in this day and age.

But….I think there is a way our students’ parents/guardians/relatives can “give back” some support to the classroom situation.  Let me tell you about a way in which I helped my daughter “give back” some requested (maybe required) time to her children’s classroom. This was just a few years ago.

Littleton, CO; blue ribbon school; elementary level.  Each parent was (I think) required to give one hour of  “assistance” to the classroom/teacher during the school year.  Maybe reading a special story, helping with a graphic arts program, helping individual students with some math problems, accompanying the class to the library for a special reading.  This is classroom work, not monitoring children on the playground or lunchroom or gym class, specifically.

So this is my story:  My twin grandsons were in first grade, with the “best” teacher, Mrs. Miller.  I was visiting my daughter for a few days.  She said, “Mom, is there any way you could go to the school and contribute my hour on my behalf- - - er, since you were an elementary school teacher?”  It didn’t take me long to say, “Yes, I can do that.”   So the next day I went to the school and processed myself into the classroom, first grade, with Mrs. Miller suggesting I read a book to the whole group, sitting on the floor in front of me.  It was fun, we all laughed, the students/children asked questions, and offered their comments.  BINGO!   Then the class got to their seats and began working on, I think it was math, or science.  It didn’t matter – I wanted to stay!  So Mrs. Miller said, certainly.  In fact, I stayed through the lunch hour into the afternoon, just doing whatever the class was working on, and I was able to help Mrs. Miller a great deal.  Was I pleased, or what!   My grandsons said I was “cool” so that made everything perfect.

Here’s my point:  if each parental unit could contribute an hour of service to each of their student’s classrooms during one year, that could help the school teacher/system in place of the paid aides, specialists, etc.  A side advantage: this is a nice way to become better acquainted with your children’s classmates.  This builds an additional advantage for your children in a casual, positive way.

Give this some thought.  Talk to your school administrators.  See if this could be a “Blue Ribbon Community Effort”  in your school.

BTW:  I would appreciate any replies.  ngorman@yahoo.com