Although she wasn't a teacher, Janet Smith spent her career in elementary schools in upstate New York. After she retired, a friend told her about Bella Vista's only school, and Smith realized she missed the daily interaction with children.
Now, she's a volunteer in the school's front office.
"I don't work as hard as I used to," she said from the reception desk on a recent morning.
She only works one day a week, but on that day and when other volunteers are in the office, the school staff can get a lot done.
"I like people and I like children," she added.
While Smith greets visitors and deals with children's requests, bookkeeper Diane Scott is free to work on the books.
"Without a volunteer we can't get our jobs done," she said. Volunteers work all over the school, even in the nurse's office, she said.
Volunteer coordinator Amy Collins said the school year always starts out a little slow. There are only about 50 volunteers working now. Usually, by the end of the year, there are 200 volunteers on her list.
Some volunteers are parents or grandparents, but many, like Smith, are from the community without a connection to the school. Some come with their church or another organization, while others, also like Smith, just come in and sign up.
Teachers use volunteers to help them make copies or run the laminator. Each class has one volunteer room mother to help organize special events, but the Parent Teacher Organization handles that program, Collins said.
Last year, Collins, who is one of the school's counselors, matched volunteer tutors with students needing help, but that program changed this year.
Collins compiled a list of volunteer tutors and their contact information. When a parent indicates his or her child needs a tutor, Collins supplies the list and lets the parent make the arrangements. That means the tutor and student can meet outside the school, she said.
"It works better if there is communication between the parents and the tutor," she said. "Another person in the middle of it just complicates it."
Some of the pairs will continue to meet at the school, but now they're free to meet in the Bella Vista Public Library or even at home. The tutors also can take their students along on special outings now.
There are other volunteer opportunities that can line up with the volunteer's interest, Collins said.
Some people enjoy being part of the special events at school. Volunteers help with the annual carnivals, the book fairs and even some performances.
They maintain the outdoor classroom that includes some trails, and can help in the new gardens the school shares with the Mercy Clinic across the street.
Volunteers also help with Cooper's effort to collect new or gently used clothing and shoes for students in need.
Collins said all volunteers are asked for identification, and when they present their driver's license, the school has software that can do a quick background check.
Once a license is scanned, the volunteer will get his or her own nametag with a photo so they don't have to present identification every time.
To get more information or to volunteer, contact Collins by email at [email protected] or stop by the school and ask for a volunteer handbook.
General News on 09/17/2014