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 

• Work in the Classroom: At all grade levels, there are opportunities to work directly with students in the classroom. Examples include providing a listening ear to budding readers, helping students practice math concepts, or coaching students in a writer’s workshop. Other direct ways to support your student's family group include chaperoning field trips, planning class celebrations, and distributing mail. Some family members might help briefly in the classroom several times a week while other families might dedicate longer blocks of time but less frequently.

• Help Teachers in the Workroom: Volunteering “behind the scenes” in the workroom provides vital support to teachers. Tasks include sharpening pencils, cutting paper, photocopying materials, helping decorate classrooms for theme studies, displaying student work on classroom and hallway walls, and laminating art projects. Each completed task, small or large, supports the flow of daily learning activities.

• Complete At-Home Tasks: Some families find it easier to help out with tasks that can be completed at home. Examples include gathering materials for classroom projects, correcting math activity books or helping with sewing projects.

• Help with Schoolwide Events and Activities: There are a number of ways to get involved in efforts that benefit the entire school. Examples include organizing or participating in schoolwide events such as Art Night, Fall Carnival or Science Share; helping build the school Memory Book; teaching a Mini Course; shelving library books; or supporting activities that take place after school such as Run Club, Garden Club and Lego League. 

• Participate in Community Assembly: Participation in the Community Assembly or the Chugach Educational Corporation (CEC) Board of Directors sends a strong message to our children about the importance of speaking up and being involved in collective decision-making to improve our school.

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.