Come Make a Difference in Your Child’s Life:Volunteer Opportunities at Del Mar Heights School

Research shows over and over that children whose parents are involved in their school are more successful. Besides, being involved is fun! Come get to know other parents and community members, our excellent staff, and the wonderful students. Our school thrives because of the special ways that volunteers help. Your child and you will reap the priceless rewards you will receive from volunteering.

Del Mar Heights offers a wide variety of volunteer opportunities. They range from daily to weekly to once a year. Below, volunteer opportunities are sorted by the type of help needed. Please note some programs are listed in more than one category. Feel free to refer to this list throughout the year. Volunteering is an ongoing process and you can begin to volunteer at any time.

A. Activities During School Hours

  • Ongoing Activities
    Art Program,Character Education Program, Classroom Helpers, Cans for Critters, Del Mar Schools Education Foundation Representative, Del Mar Union School District Committees (Budget, Foreign Language, GATE, Legislative, School Climate), Drama Program, Garden Club, Global Studies Support, Green School Committee, Kids Korp, Library Helpers, Lunch Clubs, Music Program, Office Support, Lunch Yard Duty, Parent Center, PTA , Every One a Reader, Room Parents, Running Club, School Site Council, Science Lab, Service Learning, Spanish Exploration, Student Council, Traffic Committee, One Time Events, Book Fairs (Scholastic and Used Books), Carnival, Classroom Parties, Dancefest, Fall PTA Social, Field Trips, First Day Muffin Morning, Interpreters, Jogathon, Lunch Seminars, MARE (Marine Activities, Resources and Education), Red Ribbon Week, School Pictures, Science Fair, Sixth Grade Activities, Staff Appreciation, STAR Testing, Talent Show, Winterfest.

B. Speaking / Teaching in a Classroom

  • Career Information, Character Education, Spanish Exploration, English Language Learner Support, MARE, Read Alouds to Students, Every One a Reader, Special Interests, i.e. science, social studies connections

C. At-Home Activities

  • Art Work / Decorations, Business Partnership, Classroom Support, eScrip, Grant Writing, Interpreters, PTA Assistance (gift wrap, newsletter, Carnival, spirit wear, etc.), Room Parents

D. After School Activities

  • Book Fair, Restaurant Nights, Holidays in the Village, Interpreters, Reflections, Talent Show, Used Book Sale, Visual and Performing Arts Support, Winterfest

F. Volunteer Opportunity Descriptions and Contacts

Art Program Support: Work with our art teachers on special projects and promoting visibility of student art. (Jacque Folgner, Betsy Schulz)

Art Work / Decorations: Create art work or decorations for various programs and events (e.g., drama productions, special events, staff appreciation). (Jacque Folgner, Classroom Teachers)

Book Fairs (Fall and Spring): Assist our librarian, during school hours and after school, with the Scholastic Book Fair in the fall. Proceeds from the Scholastic Book Fair directly support our school library.

The PTA sponsors a Used Book Fair in the spring. (Linda Tucker)

Business Partnerships: Connect with businesses to solicit donations ranging from supplies and resources to time in the classrooms or at lunch to support our school and programs. (Kathy Zack)

Career Information: Spark students’ interests in thinking about their future career choices by sharing yours with a class of upper grade students. (Classroom Teachers)

Carnival (Spring): Work in a game booth with parents in your child’s grade level or help cook food for the hungry masses. Our PTA sponsored Carnival is a time for families to enjoy games, activities, prizes, food and fellowship. Pre-Carnival needs (flyers, food, organizing games and prizes); Day of Carnival (set up, work in booths, food service, clean up). (PTA President)

Character Education Program: Support our Peace Builders program by teaching lessons in the classrooms or working with small groups of students on special projects. (Classroom Teachers)

Classroom Helpers: Support classroom teachers by providing assistance that may include tasks such as working directly with students to photocopying to special projects. (Classroom Teachers)

Classroom Parties: Work with the PTA Room Parent to provide food, decorations, organize games, or help supervise during classroom parties. (PTA Room Parent)

Drama Program Assistance: Encourage our young thespians by supporting drama in the school. (Kay Muller, Linda Tucker)

English Language Learner Support: Assist our English Language Learners in learning to speak English and to assimilate in the American culture. (Robbie Elliott)

eScrip: Please go on the school website and sign up for eScrip. Remember to renew your eScrip membership each year. Our PTA receives money from your credit card purchases or through your shopping at specific local businesses. It’s easy, and the rewards to the school are great. (PTA)

Fall Social: Help to coordinate our first PTA family social event of the year while you visit with old friends and make new ones! (PTA)

Field Trips: Help to chaperone a class field trip and be able to talk with your child about what you learned later in the day. (Classroom Teachers)

First Day Muffin Morning: Help to organize a first-day even when parents reconnect with old friends, meet new friends, and learn more about school goals from the principal. (PTA)

Garden Club: Work with students in the large school garden or in the Dr. Seuss “kindergarden”. Support development of classroom and Science Lab connections to the gardens. (Betsy Schulz, Pam Reynolds)

Global Studies Support: Share your interests with our students. If you are from another country, have spent time in another country, or are an armchair traveler, we encourage you to speak with classes of students or host a lunch seminar. It’s a wide world, and our students want to know more about it! (Classroom Teachers)

Grant Writing: Help to write and apply for grants. There are various grants available for schools that could finance enrichment programs for our children. (Wendy Wardlow)

Green School Committee: Explore ways to make Del Mar Heights a more "green" school and to educate students on the value of reducing, reusing and recycling. (PTA - Kathy Nahum)

Interpreters: Translate written information or share information orally to assist parents who are more comfortable speaking their native language. (Wendy Wardlow)

Jogathon (Spring): Help to coordinate and run this PTA sponsored event that raises money for special projects while encouraging students to be physically fit. (PTA)

Kids Korp: Join students of all ages as they participate in community service activities working on projects in the community and in other countries. (Alana McNulty)

Kindergarten Yard Duty: Ensure the safety of our kindergarten children by playing with them or providing supervision during recess or lunchtime. (Kindergarten Teachers)

Library Helpers: Support the school library by reading to children or organizing and shelving books. (Linda Tucker)

Lunch Clubs: Help students pursue their interests by sponsoring a weekly Lunch Club (e.g., Chess Club, Robotics, Odyssey of the Mind, Storytelling). (Wendy Wardlow)

Lunch Yard Duty: Ensure the safety of our children at lunch time by volunteering or becoming a district-paid supervisor. (Kathy Zack)

Marine Activities, Resources and Education (Spring): Work with our Scientist in Residence to support MARE which is a school wide study of the oceans developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science. (Pam Reynolds, Classroom Teachers)

Music Program Assistance: Support and encourage our young musicians during school and at performances. (Michelle Beeson)

Office Support: Help our office staff. Many hands make light the work, and there’s always extra work that needs to be done in the School Office! (Kathy Zack)

Parent Teacher Association (PTA): Our PTA is the voice of parents and community members at our school. Support this great organization with your membership in September. You will be joining one of the most powerful child advocacy groups in the nation. Please refer to the website to sign up for a PTA position. (PTA - Debbie Negulescu)

Read Alouds: Be a guest reader! Listening to adults read is inspiring to our students. (Classroom Teachers)

Red Ribbon Week (October): Work with the Red Ribbon Week Chairperson to coordinate this national PTA event that promotes and celebrates healthy living and a drug free life. (PTA)

Reflections: Work with the Reflections Chairperson to hang student art and plan the Reflections Reception. The PTA sponsored Reflections Program offers students opportunities to create works of art for fun and recognition. (PTA)

Restaurant Nights: Enjoy a dinner out with your family while earning money for the PTA. (PTA)

Everyone a Reader: Spend time each week reading with young students and fostering their appreciation for literature. (PTA)

Room Parents: Support activities in the classroom. Room Parents are the liaison between the classrooms and the PTA. (PTA)

School Pictures: Supervise and assist children when they’re being photographed. (Kathy Zack)

School Site Council: Run for this elected school leadership position. School Site Council is comprised of parents and staff members. It creates the yearly plan for our school during monthly meetings and oversees the School Improvement Budget. (Wendy Wardlow)

Science Fair (Spring): Work with our Scientist in Residence to organize a Science Fair in which all students can participate. (Pam Reynolds)

Science Lab Support: Work with our Scientist in Residence to help with preparation of investigational science projects, teach a lesson, or provide materials/resources. (Pam Reynolds)

Sixth Grade Activities: Support our sixth grade students as they participate in activities including Science Camp and promotion. (Sixth Grade Teachers)

Service Learning: Help our students participate in service learning opportunities to support causes in the school, community, and world. (Classroom Teachers)

Spanish Exploration: Share your Spanish language speaking ability or interest in Latin cultures with our students. (Mary ZoBell)

Special Interests: Share your interests or expertise with our young learners. We want our children to be lifelong learners, and they are most inspired when learning from adults who also love learning. (Classroom Teachers)

Staff Appreciation Week (Spring): Work with the PTA Staff Appreciation Chairperson to decorate, make treats, etc. during this week in May when we show Del Mar Heights staff how much they are appreciated. (PTA)

Talent Show (Spring): Elementary school students all have talent! Help support our children display their creativity and gain confidence when performing in public. (PTA)

Traffic Committee: Help our children walk to school safely in the morning by serving as a crossing guard or morning greeter while you keep vehicles moving through the school parking lot. (PTA)

Winterfest (December): Help support this annual holiday concert by working with the chorus, playing with an ensemble, or selling hot chocolate and treats. (Michelle Beeson)

*Please note all school staff may be reached at 755-9367 or through the school website at delmarschools.com/heights. A very helpful people person is Kathy Zack, Administrative Assistant. PTA contacts may also be accessed through the school’s website.