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Crofton Elementary School

Office of Volunteer Services
2409 Arapahoe Street Denver, CO  80205

Telephone: (720) 424-8245

Fax: (720) 424-8266

Intergenerational Volunteer Opportunities

INTERGENERATIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

GRANDPALS are welcome in individual classrooms and schools to assist with special projects. For instance, a GRANDPAL may work with a teacher to help design and implement a science project that may evolve over the course of several months. Theater projects, musical productions, computer programs, etc., can all benefit from the expertise of volunteers.

READING TUTORS are needed to help elementary students practice their reading skills. Volunteers will listen to oral practice and assist students with difficult words. Students will also enjoy being read to. A commitment of at least one semester is required. Training is provided.

MATH TUTORS are needed to assist students with math, especially subtraction, addition, multiplication and division skills. Drill study and assistance with problem solving sessions are most useful. A commitment of at least one semester is required. Training is provided when necessary.

MENTOR FRIENDS are needed to work individually with students who need an extra boost in order to achieve their full potential. Volunteers will be matched, based on common interests and compatibility with students, to work on subject areas where the student requires tutorial assistance and support. Volunteers are placed based on comfort with subject area. A commitment of at least one semester is required. Training is provided.

STORYTELLERS are very much appreciated by students and teachers alike. Storytellers share cultural legends and folklore, fairytales, and personal experiences so all students can appreciate the rich heritage of all cultures. Training is provided to assist storytellers with speaking techniques and story material.

PENPALS help reinforce basic reading and writing skills of elementary students in a fun and interesting way through an ongoing exchange of mail - a way to be a school volunteer while staying at home. This program has proven to be a great success in the past, as it gives kids a real human being to strive to write their best for. The return letters are the focus of classroom reading and discussion, and make for very warm relationships. Other projects such as history and folklore have been woven into the penpal process.

SCHOOL OFFICE volunteers are greatly appreciated by entire school faculties in the assistance of daily routines or special projects.

HEALTH CARE specialists are valued as assistants to individual school health education programs. School nurses can utilize assistance on a daily basis to help with student screening and care, and to provide resources for health education programs.

SCHOOL LIBRARY volunteers assist the librarian with routine tasks (sorting, cataloging, book covering, etc.), and may be asked to help students (i.e., locate research materials, select books for reading pleasure) or help with special projects such as library promotion programs.

Our CHILD/PARENT EDUCATION program is looking for retired social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and physicians to assist teenagers with parenting skill preparation. We are optimistic the program will impact the teenage pregnancy issue.

GRANDPARENTS WHO CARE is a grass roots organization with one simple mission: To mobilize the resources and wisdom of one generation- "Grandparents" - to care for and support another generation- "Our Children". "Grandparents" volunteer at least one hour per week in a classroom.

GARDENERS are welcome to help elementary school students plant and maintain a garden over the course of one season. May include beginning seedlings in classroom, preparing garden plot, planting, watering, weeding, harvest, and sharing of meal from garden yield. Will work with classroom teachers, principal, and other volunteers.

SCHOOL BOOSTERS are needed to assist with school spirit and support activities. Boosters may adopt an athletic or academic team and attend competitions, become a patron of artistic performance events, or assist generally with the public relations efforts of the school.

COACHES are needed to assist in intramural activities in basketball, softball, track, and wrestling. Students on teams will vary in age from 11 to 14. Volunteers will assist school coaches with coaching duties such as drill, checking in and out of equipment, keeping scores/statistics for individual players, etc.

NEEDLEWORKERS interested in teaching young people their art are treasured. Volunteers will work with students who have a keen interest in learning needlework on an individual or small group basis. Cross-stitch, tatting, embroidery and punch needlework have all been listed by students as areas of interest, as well as knitting!

CARPENTERS interested in working with high school students in woodshops or industrial arts labs are needed for specific projects. Currently, we are interested in hand crafting wheel chair ramps and providing installation to needy recipients in the metro area.

ORAL HISTORY PARTICIPANTS are needed who are interested in sharing their life experiences with students as they study a particular time or issue. We will find a school situation that is able to utilize the particular expertise of the volunteer. European history, history of Denver, the United States, cultural migration, farm life, urban life, war stories, home life, etc., are all extremely valuable to students as they build the dimensions of times past.

FOLKLORE PROJECT PARTICIPANTS are sought who are interested in discussions and/or demonstrations of folklore sayings, traditions, etc., from their individual experience or expertise. Volunteers will work with students to help recreate folklore traditions and/or crafts, and to learn the significance of these.

ASIAN or SPANISH LANGUAGE EXPERTS are needed to assist monolingual students in their transitions from native to American culture. Special friends are necessary in keeping the integrity of native culture viable, while at the same time assisting students with their integration of English language and culture.

NATURE WALKERS with knowledge of and interest in local fauna and flora are needed to share their expertise with students. Volunteers will conduct nature walks with students and teachers in parks and scenic areas to be preceded by or followed by classroom study.

PUPPETEERS are always welcome in our classrooms, as they provide a special art form to kids. Again, the nature of stories told is extremely valuable to the creative maturity of students.

THEATER PATRONS interested in providing moral and knowledgeable support of high school theater classes throughout the district are welcome. Volunteers can assist with rehearsals, costumes, music, or whatever area of expertise they are willing to share.

SET DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION is an area of great creativity that always can use a hand.

GREENHOUSE HELPERS interested in the specialized science of growing plants in greenhouses are needed to assist with the maintenance of school experimental fauna and other plants. Some space can be provided for the growth of personal plants, especially when knowledge is shared with students.

MODELS are needed for art classes, specifically those who are studying the human face, hands, etc. (No nudity, promise!) Volunteers will have an ongoing commitment to a particular classroom for about two weeks, while students complete projects.

SQUARE DANCERS are needed who are interested in forming an ongoing activity that is fun and good for you! School settings will provide music and a caller if a group of interested dancers can be recruited to share their expertise or learn with students.

HOME ECONOMICS classes would love to find those special persons who are willing to share those secret recipes with students who are eager to learn them and eat them. Volunteers will work with individual home economics classes on the fine arts of breadmaking, pastry making, roasting or whatever "specialty" is available. Here's a chance to be sure hundreds more will enjoy what only you can provide.

PUBLISHING CENTERS - Elementary schools are in need of a few volunteers weekly to assist students in writing, illustrating, and binding their own books for permanent collection. Time frames are adjustable to suit volunteers. Training will be provided if necessary.

CREATE YOUR OWN PROGRAM! If you can think of a new and innovative way to interact with students in schools, we are open to hearing about it. Let us know what you have in mind, and we will make every effort to link you with an appropriate school and faculty!