Educational Insights: April 21, 2008
April 21, 2008
April 27 through May 3, 2008 is designated as National Volunteer Week. Volunteers are invaluable assets to every community. They eagerly respond to the needs of people locally, nationally, and internationally. There are more than 60 million of them in the United States and the work they do accounts to billions of dollars. For more than 30 years, National Volunteer Week has provided a time to celebrate these individuals and their important efforts.
At Garden County Elementary, each morning a community volunteer comes to monitor and assist in our breakfast program. They greet our students, help sign students in, and help students as needed during their breakfast time. Our students greatly enjoy their conversation and kindness every morning! Soon after breakfast, another gracious volunteer comes to our kindergarten classroom to assist with reading seatwork. Her help is essential in keeping the kids engaged at their seats. Later in the day, another helps our kindergartners during center time.
TeamMates is another incredible program in our community where adults volunteer time to mentor a student throughout their school career. Generally the mentor/mentee pairs are matched up in 5th or 6th grade and spend an hour weekly at school developing positive relationships. Wow, what a difference their contribution makes in the lives of our students!
Booster Club members give countless hours, without pay, for our students’ benefit. They provide support for extracurricular activities and host our annual post prom party at the high school. The junior high is fortunate to have weekly visits from a volunteer that helps out where needed.
Many dedicated volunteers in our community give their gifts of time and talents, truly representing the heart in Garden County! Throughout the year, our volunteers plant many seeds of kindness in this community. Garden County Schools is just one of those places that volunteers’ contributions make a heartfelt difference!
4H, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Kids’ Club, Volunteers of America programs, the local blood drive, youth groups, county boards, and the list goes on…; VOLUNTEERS in Garden County abound! Please come join us for a tea on May 1, 2008 at the elementary school gym at 3 PM. Our students will present a program of appreciation and refreshments will be served.
Whether offering direct service to those in need or assisting behind the scenes, volunteers are indispensable and unique assets, always ready to lend a hand with compassion, commitment, and kindness. Please consider volunteering in our community, your gifts are always appreciated. To those of you who have already stepped up to the plate, BRAVO! Please accept our deep gratitude and humble appreciation for your time and contributions.
-Dr. Paula Sissel,
Superintendent/Elementary Principal
