Volunteer Opportunities

At Walnut Bend Elementary, we depend on our volunteers!

There are many events and activities throughout the school year that need support and organization from parent volunteers. The administration, teachers and students count on parent involvement to assist them in achieving academic success for all. Below is a list of available volunteer opportunities with brief descriptions and commitment requirements. It should be noted that all persons who volunteer to work with students will undergo a background check.

Mentoring – The most important and rewarding opportunity available. Mentoring can involve tutoring a student, working with an individual student in a specific subject matter, working with small groups of students, or just listening to students read. Materials will be provided by each student’s teacher. A regular commitment of 1 hour per week for the school year is needed.

Fall Festival – The Fall Festival is one of Walnut Bend’s largest and most profitable events that takes careful planning and commitment. It is a fun-filled event with food, games, rides, and other attractions. Committee duties include planning, pre-selling tickets, getting food permits, buying and selling drinks, and soliciting vendors and underwriters for the event. The Fall Festival usually takes place in mid to late October or early November. The volunteer commitment ceases after receipts and expenses have been tallied and thank you notes written, typically a week after the date of the Festival.

Fall Fundraiser – The Fall Fundraiser is another large benefit for Walnut Bend Elementary that takes place in September. Students solicit orders of holiday products from family and friends with the PTO receiving a share of the proceeds. Committee responsibilities include deciding on a distributing company, overseeing contractual agreements, distributing sales materials to students, auditing and collecting orders from students, placing final order to distributor, and distributing orders upon receipt to students.

School Store - The school store is open on alternating mornings from 7:30 to 8:30 and afternoons from 2:00 - 3:00 to sell school supplies, t-shirts, etc. to students. Volunteers will be provided a schedule to work by the School Store Chair.

Administrative Office Help – Assisting the administrative office in various clerical tasks such as filing, sorting mail, making copies, and distributing flyers. Time commitments vary for each volunteer; however, it is helpful if you can come in on the same day each week, or bi-weekly.

Classroom Assistance – This activity could include preparing materials for classroom projects/assignments, copying, laminating, preparing bulletin boards, stuffing Wednesday folders, or helping with teachers’ clerical work. Volunteer hours and commitment will be determined by Volunteer Coordinator and each volunteer. All volunteers will be given a brief lesson on the proper use of the copy machines and laminator.

Community Coffee – Each November Walnut Bend Elementary hosts a Community Coffee inviting prospective parents and students to tour the school and learn about the academic and ancillary programs available. A committee is in charge of publicizing the event by having signs made and placing them in high traffic areas throughout the zoned neighborhoods. The committee is also responsible for refreshments for the event and is required to attend the Coffee to answer questions and assist in tours.

Hospitality – This committee provides refreshments and a “welcome” at PTO meetings and faculty meetings. Hospitality responsibilities also include a Welcome Back Teacher Breakfast, Holiday Luncheon, Teacher Appreciation Week, and End of Year Teacher Breakfast.

Library – Volunteers are needed to assist in the library by shelving and repairing books, reading to students during ancillary periods, and performing miscellaneous library duties. Regular commitment is 2 hours every other week

Decorations – Walnut Bend’s campus is enhanced throughout the year by seasonal decorations in various public areas such as the entrance, hallways, school office, and cafeteria. This committee offers a wonderful opportunity to use your talents with flowers, balloons, bulletin boards and other decorative elements. Seasonal decorations will include Welcome Back, Fall Decorations, Holiday Decorations, Spring/Teacher Appreciation Decorations.

Landscaping – There are two days each year (one Saturday in the Fall and one Saturday in the Spring) that Walnut Bend Elementary has a “Landscaping Day.” The day consists of spreading mulch, replanting flower beds, adding new plants, weeding and assisting with gardening and/or beautifying the school grounds.

Book Fair – The Book Fair committee is in charge of the Spring Book Fair benefiting Walnut Bend School Library. Duties include publicity, contractual agreements with chosen book company, and designing and setting up decorations for the event,

Teacher Appreciation – This committee works with Hospitality to thank faculty in various ways throughout the year. Volunteers solicit gifts, tickets, and services throughout the year.

Spring Talent Show & Auction/Raffle – The Spring Talent Show & Auction/Raffle is another profitable fundraiser for Walnut Bend taking place in late April or early May. It combines a talent show put on by the students and faculty with a silent auction of dining, entertainment, and family fun activities. Committee members solicit auction and raffle items, solicit food vendors and student activities for the evening. Committee members are also in charge of set up and clean up for the event.

School Clubs – Volunteers assist students participating in the various clubs throughout the year. Clubs include the following: Chess Club, Art Club, Volleyball, Track, Name that Book, Interscholastic League Contests.

Friday Foods – Volunteers are needed each Friday afternoon to assist in selling food items, popcorn, snowcones, etc. after school on Fridays. Set up begins at 1:30 each Friday. Money raised from Friday Foods provides supplementary annual funds for the faculty.

Special Projects – At Walnut Bend Elementary, we celebrate our diversity by recognizing a variety of holidays and events (i.e. Ramadan, Hanukah, Chinese New Year, Women’s History, Black History Month, President’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo). Volunteers will organize these special observances with programs, decorations and information of each event.

There are many other volunteer opportunities available throughout the year. If you would like to make a difference in a child’s life, please contact Walnut Bend Elementary Volunteer Coordinators, Mitch Rotter or contact Principal, Sylvia Doyle at 281-368-7450.