Thank you for supporting GMES students

We recently received this sweet thank you note from the teachers at George Mason Elementary School. They were grateful for the school supplies that Christ Church collected in August to make sure the GMES students had all the things they needed for a strong start to the school year.

"Thank you members of Christ Church Episcopal for your gift of school supplies for our students at George Mason," the note reads. "You are always incredibly generous!"

When students have the tools they need, they can thrive. GMES is in an impoverished neighborhood and every resource shared or volunteer hour spent makes a difference in the lives of children whose families sometimes struggle to make ends meet. You can continue to make a difference by volunteering to serve at GMES -- once a year or once a week!

One motto of Communities in Schools is, "it's relationships, not programs, that change lives." Will you join in building a relationship with a student or a group of students? Here's how you can get involved:

Volunteer Needs 2018-2019 School Year

 K2 Cadre:   A monthly learning experience for the K-2nd Grade Families of GMES. Come once a month to engage with families over breakfast, surrounding an academic skill. Commitment: 1 hour a month from 8:00-9:00 AM • provide a breakfast item • build relationships with GMES families.

 Classroom Assistant:   Support the needs of a class by working in small groups and/or one-on-one with students, under the supervision of the classroom teacher. You will be matched with a teacher based on classroom needs and your availability. Anticipated times per grade level are: K: 9:45-11.00 AM • 1^st : 1:00-2:30 PM • 2^nd – 10:00-11:30 AM, though once matched with a teacher, you may have flexibility to work out a different time frame with the teacher. Commitment: 2 hours a week.

 2nd Grade Readers:  Read with 2^nd grade students or have them read to you. Support good decoding and reading habits, instill the joy of reading, and connect with the students as you work with one-on-one in short sessions.  Sign up through a Sign Up Genius system as you are able throughout the year.  Hours: Tuesday OR Wednesday OR Thursday 10.30-11.30. Commitment: Sign up when you are able to volunteer.

 Special Projects Helper:  Throughout the school year, various activities/projects occur that need volunteer support:  Kindergarten registration, Walk to School Day, School Supply support, Book Fair, Teacher Appreciation.  Be one of the go-to people when a volunteer need arises. Commitment: as needed.

 

To get involved, contact our lay leader, Jean Watkins, at jeanwatkins@mindspring.com.

To learn more about Communities in Schools, click here.