By John Tredrea, Special Writer
The Hopewell Valley Regional School District has a program in place under which residents can gain the interesting, enlightening and rewarding experience of volunteering to work in classrooms, school offices, on playgrounds and elsewhere in a school.
The aptly named program is called “Helpwell.” The district has four elementary schools, one middle school (grades six-eight) and one high school.
“In a continuation of district efforts to include more parents and community members in its schools, the Helpwell program provides citizens an opportunity to participate in the education of our students,” a district spokesman said.
There are two levels of volunteers in the Helpwell program. Level One volunteers may only work with students if a certified teacher is present.
A background check and fingerprinting are not required to work as a Level One volunteer. Examples of tasks a Level One volunteer might perform are: being a science fair judge, special event speaker or helper during classroom parties.
Level Two Helpwell volunteers are in schools more than twice a month, helping out in classrooms, media centers, cafeterias and elsewhere. Fingerprinting and a background check are required of Level Two volunteers.
For more information on volunteering, contact Nancy Barich, district volunteer coordinator, at [email protected].
At http://www2.hvrsd.org/Parents/Pages/Volunteer.aspx, one can view current volunteer opportunities and apply for a volunteer post. Also on that site, clicking on Steps for Fingerprinting will give instructions on how to complete the requirements for being a Level Two Volunteer.
“You may also contact the main office of your child’s school to find out how your talents can best be utilized,” the spokesman said. “Building-based volunteer training opportunities for parents and community members will be arranged by the school principals.”
Hopewell Valley Regional Board of Education President Lisa Wolff, a Helpwell volunteer herself, said: “Community participation is definitely increasing throughout the district and that involvement only serves to make our district stronger.
“I joined Helpwell myself and for the past few years they’ve called me to speak with seventh graders. Student questions are fun to answer and many students followed up my visits with letters. It’s great to know that you helped spark kid’s passion.”
Ms. Wolff added that “people most frequently volunteer at the elementary level, but it is also interesting to participate at secondary levels. Last year, AP (advanced placement) Government and AP Statistics students teamed up to make a case on current issues — such as gun rights, immigration and defense spending, and Helpwell volunteers interactively questioned as students defended and supported their positions with data.”
“Helpwell has been instrumental in supporting and advancing our mission to include more parents and community members in our classrooms.
” Nancy Barich and her colleagues have been responsible for the expansion of our career fair at the Timberlane school as well as the increase in parent helpers in all of our schools. Their efforts are making a difference is our community,” schools Superintendent Thomas Smith said Monday.
