Family Participation and Volunteerism

Families are the thread that tie our educational community together. A family’s participation in their child’s school life plays an important role in that student's development. A family’s participation also fosters a rich and deep sense of community benefiting all students, while providing an enriching experience for the family members. 

Families who choose to place their children at Chugach Optional make a commitment to support the school by volunteering their time to keep the program strong. We expect families to participate a minimum of 36 hours per year, with an additional time commitment of 10 hours per year for each additional enrolled child in the family. We recognize that families have various schedules impacting how and when they help. There are many ways for family members to participate in the school both during and outside of school hours. 

Our educational and philosophical goals regarding learning necessitate family support in and out of the classroom. Having extra adults in the classroom lowers the student/adult ratio and allows teachers to differentiate instruction. Furthermore, Chugach Optional teachers often weave a common theme through the curriculum. Successful instruction of theme studies requires substantial family support both at home and in the classroom. When families help out, they also provide teachers time to develop creative experiences and learning opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable. 

In short, our learning environment is dependent on a strong community of involved families. We encourage family members to seek out ways to get involved In Chugach Optional and to discover volunteer opportunities which match their skills, interests and schedule. 

Ways to Participate at Chugach Optional 

If you are not sure how to participate or where your time and skills can be used, please reach out to your family group Parent Coordinators (PCs), your teacher(s), or email the CEC at chugachoptionalcecboard@gmail.com