Wrangler Wednesday

I was always amazed at my previous school that we couldn't get parent volunteers.  This school was not a poor school.  This school defined "middle class America." Teachers were recruited to serve on the PTA board for several positions because not enough parents were willing to do it.  Why????   Was it because parents have bad memories of their own school experiences?  Parents feel intimidated?  Parents were just too busy?  Was it because parents didn't feel welcome at the school?

We couldn't get parent volunteers but at 2:00 parents lined up in the car pool lane one hour before school was dismissed.  I always wondered why they didn't come in and volunteer that one hour in the school.  Think about this........Your child spends 7 hours a day.......for about 180 days a year with adults in that building.  That's pretty easy math.  1,260 hours a year spent with people that influence your child daily. (Read that last sentence again......that is a POWERFUL statement)

You might be surprised how many parents can't tell you the name of their child's teacher. I've helped out in the office several times when parents call to give a message to their child and they can't tell you the name of the child's teacher.  I know you want believe this either......some parents can't tell you what grade their child is in.  I'm not kidding.

We can all make a difference in education.  Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles get ready to make a difference at your local school!  You don't have to be at the school every day to make a difference in a child's life.

The cowboy term for wrangler is someone who takes care of the horses on the ranch or on a cattle drive.   Today I start Wrangler Wednesday at the ranch.  Once a month, here at Rockin' the Ranch, we will have Wrangler Wednesday.  I'll be giving you a list of small things you can do to make a difference at a school close to you.  I hope you will try just one idea on the list.

• Paint an old chair with balloons to be used as a "Birthday Chair"
• Volunteer once a month to change out a bulletin board
• Donate seasonal stickers to a class
• Read to a class
• Clean out a drawer and donate old scraps, buttons and other bric brac for art projects

Now, that's not so bad is it?

This post is dedicated to two wonderful women who have given their precious time to volunteer at local schools in their community.  It's so funny that both of them are named Sherry.

Sherry Myers volunteered her time by serving as a "room mother" for a class that didn't have a room mom.  Sherry volunteered her time to help teachers and children at a school in her community even though she didn't have a school aged child.  She donated books, arranged assemblies, and is probably best remembered for buying whole classes Happy Meals!  And yes.....Sherry worked a full time job and still had time to volunteer.

Sherry Harmon is another amazing volunteer who inspires many people.  Sherry has been volunteering at the same school for the past 10 years.  In fact, she volunteers every day of the week for up to 6 hours a day! (Yep....read that one more time.....that is unbelievable)  WOW.......she has touched the lives of many children!

Be inspired!

Happy Trails,
Mrs. B.