Parent Volunteering
All volunteers are required to complete the VIRTUS screening and training program of the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
The Home/School Association (HSA) and the students of St. Joseph School (SJS) truly appreciate parent (and grandparent) volunteer help with the many programs and events throughout the year.
Below is a list of volunteer opportunities:
Adult Social (Courtyard Social) - After school begins, parents gather in the courtyard on a Friday evening to reconnect after the summer. The event is BYOB with a food truck to order food from. Volunteers are needed for set up and clean up for the event.
Adult Social (Spring Event) - This is always a fun night out for SJS parents. Several volunteers are needed to for the Planning Committee. There are also volunteers need before, during and after the event.
Book Fair - SJS will have a book sale event that benefits the library. The Chairperson works with Scholastic to reserve the fair dates and coordinate delivery of materials. Several volunteers are needed for a variety of shifts including set-up and breakdown of the event and helping students navigate the fair and purchase books. The fair will take place during the teacher conferences and the following school day.
Bowling with Boys - Bowling with Boys is an opportunity for mothers, grandmothers, guardians, or a special family friend to spend time bowling with the boys. The Chairperson will work with the local bowling alley to secure use of their facility for a bowling night, plus coordinate the other small tasks such as Diamond Mind and the Sign-Up Genius.
Carpool Pantry - Carpool Pantry is held once a month, usually on Friday mornings during the carpool drop-off. It coincides with and supplements St Joseph Parish's Food Pantry donations to the Franciscan Center. Carpool Pantry is led by a select group of eighth grade students with parent supervisors.
Fall Fundraising Sale - Each year, the school participates in a school-wide fundraiser. A few parents are needed to help the Chairperson sort the orders during a predetermined delivery day.
Hospitality Committee - Parents are needed to help set up and host refreshments for various school events like the Health Fair, lower and middle school open houses and Grandparents' Day.
Jingle Bell Shop - Right before Christmas, students shop the Jingle bell Shop: a $5-and-under selection of Christmas gifts their children in PreK through Grade 5 can buy for grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters and family friends. Volunteers are needed to work in shifts to set up and break down the store, work with children as they navigate their budgets and decision-making process and help at registers.
Lunch & Learn Speaker Series - This special luncheon for middle school students is held several times a year and features a keynote speaker from our community to talk about their career. Volunteers are needed to help set up, serve lunch, and clean up. Requires about two hours on the day of the event.
Middle School Christmas Shopping Event - Middle Schoolers walk to Target to shop for Christmas gifts for their family. Parent volunteers are needed to help chaperone the students on the walk and in the store.
Middle School Halloween Mixer – Always a ghoulish night to remember! Middle School students get to dress-up for dancing, games and costume contests! Volunteers are needed for set-up, chaperoning and clean-up.
PB&J Sandwiches - Every Thursday, students make and collect peanut butter or cheese sandwiches for clients of Our Daily Bread. Volunteers are needed to drive the boxes of sandwiches to Our Daily Bread each week.
Race for Education - This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year and many hands are needed to help make it a great day for our children! Students raise money and compete with one another as they run, walk, or jog around school grounds joined together in school spirit to raise money for SJS.
Recess Volunteers - Volunteers are needed to monitor the playground during the students recess time, 10:45-12:30. Please see the Sign-Up Genius located in the Office Notes.
Restaurant Nights - SJS sponsors several restaurant nights throughout the year. Parents get a night off from cooking, and SJS gets a portion of the proceeds. Past events have included Chick Fil A, California Pizza Kitchen and Sweet Frog. The Chairperson contacts various restaurants to set up special fundraising nights.
Room Parents – Every homeroom needs a liaison for their child’s homeroom. The Room Parent will communicate any necessary information to the parents from the teachers, HSA and Principal. If you are interested, please contact the HSA Secretary. Assignments will be decided and announced in late August/early September.
Snowball Dance - The Snowball Dance, also know as our Daddy/Daughter Dance is an opportunity for fathers, grandfathers, uncles or a special friend to spend time dancing with the girls. The event takes place in the MPR. The Chairperson is responsible for securing a DJ, photographer, coordinating ticket sales, decorations, and snacks/refreshments. The Chairperson will need to organize Diamond Mind and a Sign-up Genius. Other volunteers will be needed for set-up, chaperoning and clean-up.
SCRIP Program - This is an ongoing fundraising opportunity for parents:by purchasing gift cards for friends and families through SCRIP, a percentage of the profits are donated to the school. The Chairperson is responsible for placing orders and managing our account through SCRIP.
Teacher Luncheons - This is a wonderful way to support the school’s most valuable resource: its teachers. Parents host several luncheons a year in the Conference Room or MPR to offer teachers a moment to relax and converse with colleagues over lunch in the middle of a hectic day. Volunteers are needed for set up and clean up. All lunches take place during the school day or immediately after school.
Trunk or Treat – Always a Halloween favorite for our PreK-5th graders and families! Families volunteer to decorate their cars and handout candy. Kids and parents alike dress up to play games, trunk or treat and have fun. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up and clean-up.
Used Uniform Sales - Donated used uniforms are offered for sale at $5 an item. The uniform sale is hosted at the end of summer prior to the start of the school year and at various times throughout the year. The Chairperson is responsible for organizing inventory, advertising sale dates and organizing used uniform donations. Parent volunteers are needed to assist with organizing and running the sale.
Volunteer Procedures
- Upon entering the building, visitors must check-in to the School Office.
- A drivers license is needed so that it may be scanned and approved.
- When leaving the campus, please report back to the School Office to turn in your badge.