Kalamazoo Family Involvement Schedule
As a non-profit organization, we depend heavily on our families to help make West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts a great experience for all of our kids. Each family is expected to be involved somewhere. Here are the primary areas where we need help.
Kitchen
Our kitchen helpers are some of our kids' favorite people! They get to help prepare and serve the potluck each week, and they clean up afterwards. Young children are not allowed in the kitchen, so this is not a good spot for someone who needs to keep their littles with them.
Social Hall/Study Hall/Hall Monitor
Social hall/study hall/hallway monitors are very important for keeping things fun and safe for all our kids. All children must either be in class/lesson or social/study hall. No child is ever to be out of sight of an adult. Monitors will get their steps in walking around their assigned area to monitor, redirect, and report behavior as needed. You may keep your young children with you if you are monitoring the social hall or hallway, but you need to keep moving and pay attention to all children, not just your own. No students should ever be in a room without adult supervision, and students should not be roaming the hallway. Students wandering around without an adult should be redirected to a study or social hall. Study hall areas need to maintain a quiet study environment. (Think library!) These would not be good spots for someone to keep young children with them. Social halls are provided for families to talk and play games. Please remember we have expensive instruments and many people in the building, so WMHFA is not a place for out-of-control behavior. Get to know the students! Be friendly and encouraging, but remind them to pick up their own trash, keep their stuff in the right place, and be respectful of other people and things.
Nursery
Helping in the nursery is perfect for moms who will already be there with their own young children or for moms whose kids are older and need a baby fix! The nursery helpers need to provide supervision for young children whose parent/guardian is working elsewhere in the building. You will need to greet children as they arrive and make them feel welcome. Help them check in and note any special instructions. Keep them entertained and make sure play does not get too rough. Make sure older children are not using the nursery without a parent present. Be prepared to change diapers or take them to the restroom. Keep the nursery area clean, including wiping down surfaces, vacuuming, keeping toys picked up. If there are no children to care for, you may be asked to help in another area.
Greeter/Front Door/Parking Lot Monitor
The primary responsibility is to scan name badges as people enter the building. Welcome everyone warmly, but also keep an eye out for kids not in dress code.
Additional responsibilities may include:
-Watching the parking lot (standing at the door or walking the parking lot.)
-Holding the door open and greeting people
-Assisting people (carrying items, giving directions, etc.)
-Ensuring traffic is flowing smoothly and cars are being parked in legitimate spots
-Keeping the glass doors clean
Additional responsibilities may include:
-Watching the parking lot (standing at the door or walking the parking lot.)
-Holding the door open and greeting people
-Assisting people (carrying items, giving directions, etc.)
-Ensuring traffic is flowing smoothly and cars are being parked in legitimate spots
-Keeping the glass doors clean
Fundraising/RaiseRight
Want to help families save money on their tuition? You can help manage Scrip as well as handling the fundraisers offered including KeyCards, pizza kits, bake sales, etc. We need two people at this table at all times for accountability since they will be handling money. This position requires people who are trustworthy and can manage money accurately. One person will also need to be able to pick up products from Grand Rapids when they come in. Please note this is a year-long commitment and counts as two slots.
Set-up/Cleaning
These are some of our most valuable helpers. The staff do NOT want to stay until late at night cleaning the building! Many hands make light work. We need help setting up rooms before class and making sure the building is clean at the end of the day.
Classroom Helpers
Teacher's helpers are a coveted position! They get to listen to the group practice all year and can hear what their students are learning. They assist with taking attendance, collecting and recording practice records, handing out music, straightening the classroom, etc. Teacher's helpers may need to record students play their chair tests or challenges. They may also be asked to help their group during concerts as well. Please note this is a year-long commitment and counts as two slots.
Floater
Do you like to be flexible? Our floaters are extremely important. They help wherever needed - copying music, giving chair tests, or subbing in the nursery, kitchen, social hall, classrooms, etc. You never know what you will do that day! Be prepared to clean toilets, sort student portraits, or even run to the store for supplies! If there are no needs when you first arrive, you will help supervise social hall/study hall/hallways and be ready to step in somewhere else during your shift if something comes up. You will need to be available during your entire shift. If we are short an essential position elsewhere, you may be asked to be a permanent sub in that area. Floaters must either be working on a task or supervising hallways and other student areas. Please be sure to pay attention to your surroundings during your shift. We appreciate you!
Information Table
We need experienced moms to help out at the information table. They need to be able to answer questions from other parents as well as help take payments and sell concert tickets. They also help enter attendance on the computer, send out homework emails, and just help out wherever needed. A friendly smile and being comfortable with a computer will be a huge asset!