“It takes a village to raise a child” is a popular proverb with a clear message: the whole community has an essential role to play in the growth and development of its young people. Now, thanks to the new initiative Taylor-Aides, volunteering in the Taylor public schools has never been easier.
“Community involvement is so essential to our children’s success, and Taylor-Aides provides a wide avenue of opportunities to get involved with as little as thirty minutes a month,” said Susan Green, Taylor-Aides volunteer. “It’s so important to me that we work together, as a community, to create a better future for our kids.” Volunteer opportunities
Volunteer opportunities include Munch Mentors, meeting with students for 30 minutes a week at lunch; Reading Ducks, spending 30 minutes a week reading with kids; Watch Ducks, monitoring the high school hallways; Hot Shots, help with last minute needs; and events or occasional volunteering around your schedule and at your preferred campuses. Library and cafeteria help are ongoing needs.
“Taylor-Aides is a great way to get involved in the schools and in the community,” said Lita Gonzales, Taylor-Aides volunteer. “Everyone who is eligible to volunteer has an opportunity to support our schools and students by providing a few minutes or hours of their time. I enjoy helping and working in places where I can encounter students at their level. Hopefully, I bring a little smile and light to their day by just being present and engaged.” Studies of effective
Studies of effective schools consistently list high levels of family and community involvement as a characteristic of successful schools. With a goal of connecting parents and community members with Taylor ISD campus and district needs, a core group of six parents got together with the idea of organizing the volunteer effort. For as little as 30 minutes a month, or whenever you are available, you can make a difference and support a campus.
“I have been a volunteer since my daughter started school, and I know how important it is to have the support of parents and the community,” said Stefanie Spells, Taylor-Aides volunteer. “I want to help out as much as I can.”
Volunteers are already signing up to help in a variety of ways including book fairs, lunch duty, reshelving books and special events. Anyone interested in joining the effort is required to have a criminal background check and to attend a brief orientation. Taylor ISD welcomes your participation.
“I’m involved in Taylor-Aides because I want to support our staff and teachers in ways that allow them to focus more on students and their education,” said Taylor-Aides volunteer Rachael Westerman.
For more information or to sign up, visit http://www.taylorisd.org and click on the Community tab, then volunteer information; or email [email protected].
