Giving
Volunteers—Hands that Help
Volunteers make an enormous difference in the lives of our children.
Gordon Parks employs a professional volunteer coordinator who knits the talents and availability of volunteers into the teachers’ and the program’s needs. There are both episodic and regularly scheduled opportunities, from reading with an individual student or helping in a classroom to volunteering as a room parent/grandparent or serving lunch one day a week.
The following describes several ways individuals and groups can volunteer their time and talents to benefit the children, staff and families served by Gordon Parks Elementary.
- READERS CLUB: Read one hour a week with a child from kindergarten through fifth grade. The children love the individual attention and they treasure forming new relationships. Consistency is very important.
- TEACHER’S HELPER: Your help is needed to do things like assembling, running errands, cutting, copying, laminating, completing projects at home for school use and more. Volunteering your time to do these tasks helps our teachers do what they do best…teach!
- LET’S DO LUNCH: Our lunches are provided by a caterer and placed into the steam table. Volunteers plate the lunches as children file past to receive them. Lunch is served at 11:20, 11:50, and 12:20. It’s quick and it’s fun!
- MENTORING: Many of our children need practice forming trusting relationships with adults. We’re looking for compassionate, committed volunteers. You would be paired with a child of the same gender and would meet once a week during school time. The purpose is to get to know one another.
- TUTORING: In just an hour a week you can help a child make huge strides in reading. We need tutors (18 years or older) to work one-on-one with students in reading for one hour, one or two days a week. Gordon Parks will provide training and our excellent staff will support your efforts.
- FIELD TRIP CHAPERONE: Our children take many trips, giving students first-hand experiences that are essential for academic “catch up.” You will have the chance to get acquainted, enjoy their wonder, learn the teacher’s way of encouraging good behavior, and enjoying hearing the compliments often lavished by the public on our children.
- SPECIAL EVENTS: Volunteers, your help is also needed to assist with special events (such as field day, coaching for musicals, decorating the holiday tree, grandparents day, Halloween, Christmas and Valentine parties, committees, etc.)
- ASSEMBLE DISTRIBUTIONS: A perfect opportunity for those who want to help but due to other responsibilities have limited time to volunteer—consider helping the staff with mailings (newsletters, holiday cards, fliers, etc.)
- AND MORE…
Please note all weather-related school closings coincide with the Kansas City, Missouri, School District. In case of a school closing due to inclement weather, volunteers need not report to Gordon Parks.
For more information about volunteering at Gordon Parks, contact Pat Mallory, Volunteer Coordinator, at (816) 753-6711 or (816) 506-9383.