– Get inspired and respond for spring volunteering opportunities highlighted at the end!
Curley School parent volunteers are increasingly making their way into our older elementary and middle school grades. Check out Ms. Pradas’ 4th grade classroom, where recently classroom volunteers Jessica Curran and Nikki Douglas sat down to share their stories.
“The idea of volunteering can be intimidating and inconvenient,” said Jess, mom to 4th grader Jo, “but every time I show up to Ms. Pradas’ class I am greeted with warm smiles, waves, and polite kids that are working hard at their educations.”
Jess volunteers every other week with Ms. Pradas’ reading group time. “We have been reading Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which has been funny and entertaining because the children are so interested and enthusiastic about the book. One of my favorite moments is observing the class return from lunch. Ms. Pradas uses different techniques for focusing the children, such as breathing and rhythmic hand movements. It is so sweet and effective, and the children are learning techniques that will help them throughout their lives.”
Nikki, mom to 4th grader Leo, agreed on the rewards of being in the class. “I had the chance to start to get to know four kids [during reading group] and their different personalities which was a lot of fun. When we came across a challenging vocabulary word, we would use clues to try to figure out the meaning of the word. We also practiced reading in different voices, depending on how the character was feeling, which the kids really enjoyed. Every few pages we’d all get up and stretch.”
How do the students respond to having parents in the classroom? “The kids always smile and wave at me,” said Jess. ” The kids seems so happy to have a parent in the classroom. Being there has allowed me to meet a whole new group of children that I had never interacted with before. It has been a very rewarding and enjoyable experience.
“It is never too late to volunteer. I did not start volunteering in my daughter’s class until her 4th grade year, and even though I missed opportunities during her lower school years I am grateful that I have taken the time this year to contribute to the Curley school,” concludes Jess.
And it’s helping Nikki engage even more with her own child’s learning: she reflects, “Volunteering has enabled me to find new ways to support [my son] with both his strengths and challenges.”
Thanks to all our fabulous classroom volunteers who support our hard-working teachers.
ALL Parents – R.S.V.P. to our teachers if you’re able to help with these highlighted opportunities!
SPRING ARTS SHOWCASE: (email Anna Youman, art teacher, at azyouman@gmail.com)
Thursday April 9, 3:00 – 5:00pm (preparation: meet in Mr. Holmes/Ms. Drakes room)
Thursday April 16, 3:00-5:30pm (set up: moving table, displaying artwork); 5:30-7:30pm (during show: face painting, art activities, food distribution); 7:30-8:15pm (break down of show)
COMPUTER CLOSET PROJECT: (email Konstantinos Petmezis, 4th grade teacher, at kpetmezis@bostonpublicschools.org)
Flexible to your schedule: Organize closet for more effective technology use in Upper School.
