MBHS PTSA - Volunteer Committee

October 31, 2005

About the Volunteer Committee at Blair

The Montgomery Blair HS PTSA is working to change the common misconception that parent volunteers are needed only in elementary and middle schools. At Blair, volunteers help teachers inside and outside the classrooms. They also help administrators and office staff with administrative and clerical tasks. Sometimes, Blair needs volunteer help on a one-time basis and other times for longer-term tasks.

Why should you volunteer? First and foremost, because Blair needs your help. But in addition, over 30 years of research shows that when parents are involved in their children’s education and in their schools, their students perform better academically and socially. Finally, getting involved and making a difference can be very rewarding.

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Committee members and contact info

There is a PTSA volunteer coordinator and an in-school volunteer coordinator. They are:

PTSA volunteer coordinator – Beth Martin, (301) 587-8404

In-school volunteer coordinator – Robin Platky, (301) 649-2800

Please contact Beth if you are interested in helping administer Blair’s volunteer coordination activities. Help is needed in recruiting volunteers, getting feedback from volunteers, recognizing volunteers, and in evaluating the volunteer program.

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Volunteer Opportunities for 2005-2006 School Year

One-time volunteer opportunities:

These are volunteer opportunities that you may volunteer for only once (of course you may volunteer as many times as you want!) Most jobs are between 1 and 3 hours.

Collating and Mailing interim reports to parents

Collating and Mailing PSAT and SAT results to parents

Providing phone coverage for secretaries, e.g., during secretaries week, unexpected absences, etc.

Longer-term volunteer opportunities

These are volunteer opportunities for which help is needed on a periodic basis, e.g., an hour or two per week, a couple of hours each quarter, etc.

• Helping teachers in the classroom
• SHARP program
• Saturday tutoring program
• Transition newsletter
• After prom - TBD
• Athletic Boosters – Diane Martin,
• Band Boosters – Dorothy Lee
• Chorus Boosters – Linda Wilmott, 301 593-4640
• Citrus sale – Chris Simpson, 301 589-8504
• Latino Family Outreach – TBD
• Mini-grants – Gail Peck, 301-587-1714
  Linda Kahn 301-565-2651
• Silent Auction – Betsy Scroggs, 301 754-1974
• Staff Appreciation – Lynn Grasso
  Barbara Shuttleworth, 301-608-3257

Reference Library

Handbook for Volunteers – this is a 17 page booklet, published by the Montgomery County Public Schools. It contains general information such as available resources, volunteer responsibilities, volunteer evaluation, tutoring tips, etc. This is not currently available on-line – contact Beth Martin (see above) for a copy.

Reporting Child Abuse – this is important information for volunteers who are working with students.

Welcome Letter to Volunteers

Volunteer Registration Form

Tutoring Tips

Map of Blair

Class/Bell schedule

Emergency Procedures

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Helping teachers in the classroom: Blair teachers may request volunteers to help them work with students in their classrooms. Currently, volunteers are needed for the following teachers:

SHARP Program – Located in the Marvin Memorial Church across the street from Blair, the Student Help and Academic Resource Program (SHARP) provides a safe place in which students can catch up on their classroom work while out of school because of suspension; after missing school due to family emergencies, etc. SHARP is always in need of volunteers to serve as class monitors, tutors, and life coaches. Mr. Doug Henley, the Director of this SHARP program, provides on-the-job training for all volunteers. It’s helpful if volunteers commit to a specific number of hours every week, for instance, every Monday from 9am to noon.
Doug Henley can be reached at Douglas_Henley@fc.mcps.k12.md.us or 301-592-0500.

Saturday Tutoring Program - This is an MCPS sponsored program which offers tutoring to children who live in the Blair cluster and attend grades 1 through 12 . Headed by Cherie McGinn, Blair’s Social Studies resource teacher, the program is held at Blair every Saturday morning between 8:20 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help with tutoring in math, reading, test taking, and other subjects. Both adult and student volunteers are needed. Student volunteers will receive community service credit. In the past, several family members have volunteered together very successfully. If you can help for one hour or more on Saturday mornings, please contact Beth Martin.

The Blair Sports Academy is in need of volunteer tutors, coaches, mentors, and others. This is a really important program designed by the Blair community and funded by the county to attract kids to intramural sports programs after school, thus making them less vulnerable to gang recruitment or other dangerous influences. It's open to all Blair students regardless of academic standing.

If you have some time to give to this program, please contact:  Stephanie White (240) 777-6985 or Jose Segura (301) 649-2800.

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