Every other Thursday morning, laughter and chatter can be heard from volunteering parents in room B7 at Pedley Elementary School. Parents rip pages from workbooks to assemble packets, organize paper handouts, and complete any other tasks left for them by Pedley teachers, as part of the Helping Hands program.
Helping Hands is a Community Schools program that welcomes parents and families to volunteer in a safe space where they help prepare instructional materials for teachers and organize school-wide events such as the school’s fall festival.
“Helping Hands expands (parent engagement) beyond just the fun and exciting events to true empowerment, where (parents) become active participants of our community and student learning,” said Dr. Shayna Golbaf, Coordinator of Community Schools. “(The program) is growing. The more that schools learn about this, the more they want to implement it and build that family engagement.”
As Helping Hands volunteers, parents set a positive example of active participation for their children, get to meet other parents and school administrators better, and learn more about available school programs and upcoming events.
Currently, Granite Hill, Ina Arbuckle, and Pedley Elementary School have implemented Helping Hands programs.
“We love to encourage our families to be here and to participate on campus so that they become more comfortable and become part of our school community,” said Cynthia Hert, Pedley Elementary Teacher on Special Assignment - Community Schools. “Once parents join Helping Hands… they realize there are so many opportunities that they can help with.”
Granite Hill Elementary parents Melanie Camarena and Azalia Iniguiz joined Helping Hands last year to learn more about their school. Now, they are committed daily volunteers for the first-grade Systematic Instruction in Phonological Awareness, Phonics, and Sight Words (SIPPS) reading program.
Parents are required to undergo appropriate volunteer background check protocols when they volunteer on campus more consistently.
“It’s really nice and exciting to be able to help my school community and help my own students at home,” said Ms. Camarena, president of Granite Hill's Community School Council. “It’s about my kids knowing that mom and dad are here for (them) whenever they need it.”
Ms. Camarena and her husband have become integral members of the Granite Hill community through their volunteer work and presence on campus. Every morning, they are seen by the drop-off area, welcoming and awarding students for their good attendance.
“Helping Hands reinforces community. Parents are a huge part of building a community in all of the schools,” said Elideth Guerrero, Granite Hill Elementary Teacher on Special Assignment.
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As a mother of a transitional kindergartener, Ms. Iniguiz also joined Granite Hill's Community School Council and is the president of the English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC).
“I think volunteering is important because your child sees how involved you are in whatever they are in. I think it's important so that they can see that someone is around,” said Ms. Iniguiz.
Christina Pimentel, whose children attend Pedley Elementary, Mira Loma Middle, and Jurupa Valley High School, is actively involved in all her children’s schools and encourages parents who might be hesitant to volunteer.
“When there's an opportunity for parents to be involved, it's huge. You’re helping out the teachers (who) are with your children every single day,” said Ms. Pimentel.
Kevin Soto, Jurupa Valley High School freshman, said volunteering as a Helping Hand at Pedley allows him to give back to a school that once served him.
Kevin’s mother, Maria Concepción Pantaleon, encouraged him to accompany her to volunteer to fulfill his community service hours.
“Even if it’s one or two more hours of volunteering, it’s needed, and it helps the school and teachers,” said Ms. Pantaleon.
“Here, we can help teachers so they can have more time for themselves, and so that they don’t have as much work to finish after school, and they can spend that time with their family,” said Kevin. “It’s nice to (give) back to the community that helped you in the beginning and that has given you a place to live and an education.”
To join Helping Hands or to learn more about volunteering opportunities available at your school, please contact your student’s school Teacher on Special Assignment.
