Opportunities
VIMS stands for Volunteers In Medford Schools
Volunteering to help our first grade classroom is an incredibly rewarding experience. You will get to see firsthand an amazing amount of growth in this group of six- and seven-year-old students. You will have an extra opportunity to work academically with your son or daughter in the classroom setting. And, you will laugh. First graders are the best!
ABSOLUTELY: I appreciate your time and efforts helping our classroom.
You must be approved in the Medford Schools online system before you can begin your volunteer experience. Here is the link to the info page: https://www.medford.k12.or.us/Page/6651 . Or, the direct link to the application: https://www.helpcounterweb.com/welcome/apply.php?district=medford
Once completed and approved, your VIMS form is good for two years.
I encourage all of my families to complete this form. Even if you feel you will not be able to volunteer on a regular basis in the classroom, there will be times when you find you want to participate in a class activity, such as a field trip. Please share this link with friends and family who also help care for your student.
There are many opportunities for parents to help inside and outside of the classroom this year. Please take a moment to read through the list below. The details, days, and times of each job will become more specific as the year gets underway and Hoover finalizes its school-wide schedule.
If you see an area below that interests you, please email me directly at dan.blaydon@medford.k12.or.us.
I will keep an updated VIMS Schedule on a separate page.
READING GROUPS:
Reading activities will take place each morning, most likely from 8:00 to 9:35. The class will be divided into six groups of 4 to 6 students. These groups will rotate through 15-minute stations where students will work on designated reading activities. Volunteers sign up to work one day per week.
Reading Groups is the most critical of my volunteer areas.
Having several parent-teachers in the classroom at this time increases the teacher-to-student ratio. With volunteer assistance, I can keep the reading groups small. The smaller groups allow for natural differentiation to occur. Instructional content and pacing can easily be varied with each group. Student comfort and confidence levels increase. Each student makes individual growth that not only helps them become a successful reader, but also develops lifelong excitement for reading!
FIELD TRIPS:
Everyone is invited to attend, but you must complete the Medford volunteer app at the link above. Usually, our class will be organized into small groups on field trips, with at least two parents assigned to each group. Normally, parents can ride the bus with the class as we travel. I will post the dates and times as soon as the field trips are scheduled. I will try to give everyone at least two weeks notice. Bring your cameras!
ROOM PARENTS:
Although everyone is invited to our parties, it is best to have a small group of parents who will organize the holiday parties. These people will work briefly with me regarding date and times, but they will actually facilitate the party. They will send emails asking for volunteers, ideas, and/or donations for support for the parties. The holiday parties are always a highlight for the students.
AT-HOME CORRECTIONS:
One day per week, your student will bring home a manila envelope containing a selected group of papers to be corrected and returned to school the next day. This takes about 10-20 minutes.
HOMEWORK CARDS:
Each Monday your student will bring home a blank set of cards. You fill in names and dates, and return the cards by Friday. This takes about 10-20 minutes.
MATH TIMED-TESTS:
Two or three days per week, your student will bring home a manila envelope containing a classroom set of basic math facts timed-tests. You make corrections, and the tests must be returned the next day. At the beginning of the year the test only take about 10-15 minutes to correct. But the amount of time needed to correct the tests will increase as the students' skills grow and they move on to larger tests.
CLASSROOM CUSTODIANS:
Once or twice per week, you come into the classroom to wipe-down the student desks and tables with disinfectant wipes. This job can be disgusting, but the benefits outweigh the grossness, especially through the winter. I provide the cleaning supplies, including gloves.
VIDEO PARTIES:
Part of my behavior management system allows the students to earn a video party. These are separate from the Room Parent Holiday parties. You provide snacks and drinks and serve them to the class as they watch a video. The parties are usually an hour long. Enough snacks for the class usually costs a minimum of $20. Two or three parents seem to work best for this job.
LIBRARY HELPER(S):
One or two volunteers assist the students with returning old library books, and then select and check-out new books. Our library time is Thursdays from 12:40 to 12:40.
FRIDAY FOLDER ORGANIZER:
A volunteer is needed to come into the classroom on Fridays just before the dismissal bell rings, organize materials to be sent home, and place the materials into the students' homework folders. This job can take 15 to 20 minutes depending on the amount of materials being sent home.
THERE MAY BE MORE OPPORTUNITIES AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS THAT ARE NOT IN THIS LIST.
Thank you for considering to volunteer some of your time this year. Your support allows me more time to plan and teach, and gives the students another source for help when I am assisting others in the classroom.
Hoover's VIMS are appreciated beyond words!