Posted by By Oretta Croushore, Property Manager for Home Rental Services
It’s hard to believe we are at back to school time already! For the first time in 13 years, I had to ask someone when school starts again. She said, “how weird is it that you don’t know this?!?” That’s the direct result of my baby graduating high school in May. I still can’t believe it. College classes don’t start until next week. I think it will really hit me then!
I’m sure many of you are hearing the kids ask, “why do we have to go back to school?” The obvious reason is to get an education. Those of us who experienced remote schooling during the Covid days know there’s more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. That’s where kids start to gain their independence, build social skills, learn responsibility, and start to learn about themselves outside of the confines of their home. This opportunity to grow can come outside of the classroom as well as inside it.
Extra curricular activities offer so many chances for kids from elementary school through college to explore the world. Studies suggest that students who are involved in activities outside of the classroom become more engaged with their learning and school work. It’s also a great way to try different things like sports, arts, expression, and team skills.
PTA/PTO Organizations
It takes a lot of work and hustling to keep those clubs and organizations going. I feel like the work that PTA/PTO organizations goes greatly unnoticed. Many people don’t realize they help to fund field trips, organize assemblies, provide special food days for staff during busy times like conferences, and so much more. Booster clubs that support sports and arts organizations help to fund and organize trips those groups take, equipment needed, and even scholarships. One thing most every volunteer organization lacks are volunteers.
I have been lucky enough to be able to be involved as a volunteer in several organizations in my child’s 13 years of schooling. I will say that being involved in the things she is doing has helped me stay connected to her, while still giving her space to grow. It’s also been one of the rare opportunities, as an adult, I’ve had to make new friends. Having a shared interest is the perfect ice breaker.
My kid started with Girl Scouts in Kindergarten.
Though I was never a Girl Scout, I knew I wanted to be the troop leader. I remember going to that first informational meeting thinking I was going to have to do some mud slinging and slash some tires to beat out all the other moms who also wanted to be the troop leader. Oh, naive Kindergarten mommy! How cute she was.
As I learned in the subsequent years when I became the adult volunteer recruited for Girl Scouts for our school, volunteers are hard to come by. My husband took the PTA route. He became the guy who designed, ordered, and passed out the spirit wear each year. He also ran the concessions for the movie nights hosted monthly at the school. As a result, we were always at the school and we became well recognized over the years. I don’t want to say we were the popular parents among our peer group, but I will just say that on Wednesdays, we wore pink.
Being active in school functions lets you get to know the staff and administration. Turns out they are real people who buy groceries and like to have fun just like us! Who knew? We also got to know the other families. Most of all, we got to know the kids our kiddo was spending so much of her time with. It’s nice to be able to put a kids face to their name.
We spent the middle school years at home thanks to Covid. It was interesting to me how weird it felt to be so disconnected from the school community, even as a parent. No movie nights, no Girl Scout meetings, no choir concerts, not even one bad rendition of the orchestra playing “Hot Cross Buns.” High school made up for it, though. She discovered theater and found a true passion.
The Spotlighters
My husband and I joined the booster club called Spotlighters. They support the choir and theater department at Shawnee Mission West. For three years I was the ticket chairperson. I spent two years as the co-president, and one year as the interim treasurer. My husband held the front of house chair and the fundraising chair. We have made some amazing friends. It’s nice to be with other parents who understand your special breed of theater kid. In addition, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know some truly amazing kids.
In each of these groups, it seems that year after year, the same people volunteer. I encourage anyone who has a special kiddo in their life who is active in something to get involved. You don’t have to the president. I will tell you most people don’t set out to be the pres. It usually happens by accident. Look for a small way you can get involved.
In theater, we always need people to help sell concessions or tickets, hand out programs at performances, or even to clean up after an event. You don’t have to be a parent to get involved. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, family friends, anyone can help out pretty much any organization. I have continued on as the business manager for our Girl Scout camp long after my child left Girl Scouts. She graduated in May, but I am continuing on as the treasurer for Spotlighters. My goal is to be able to pass that torch on to someone else and help train them. High school is only four short years. As a parent, about the time you feel like you are getting the hang of the groups you are working with, your time is over.
Father’s Club Chapters and Fight Club Groups
Many high schools in the Kansas City Metro have Father’s Club chapters. There are also chapters in some middle schools and even a few elementary schools. Father’s Club is a dad-led, grassroots effort creating simple ways for dads to be intentional with their kids, with other dads and within their community.
There is another organization doing great work at high schools called Fight Club. They create a space for young adults to disconnect from their screens and reconnect in real life. This is usually through a high school class group… for example, sophomores at Olathe South high school.
Both of these organizations are having an impact on mental health in our schools. If you want to see if there is a Father’s Club chapter or Fight Club group at your child’s school, please visit their websites using the links above!
Getting more involved…
If you can find a place to give a little of your time, I believe you will find a reward in it. Recently, a good friend of mine was saying that there are no selfless acts. Even if you are doing something for someone else, you gain the self satisfaction of knowing you helped someone. I think that sounds like double stars at the Starbucks of happiness. It feels good to give of yourself and to see how it positively affects others.
If you don’t know where to start, call a school in your community. Talk to the secretary, they are the ones that rule the school. They can tell you where your assistance could be used and how you could help. Another way is to attend an event of a group you are interested in. Go see the school play, a band concert, a sporting event. Look for the parent that seems to know all the other parents and the kids. They are the ones who can help you get involved. You will be earning double stars in no time!
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