An Attitude of Gratitude

This past week, I had the honor of participating in our school district’s annual “CAPE Recognition and Reception Awards Ceremony”. As the fourth-largest school district in the state of Illinois, with a total of thirty pre-school, elementary, middle school and high schools, Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202’s CAPE organization honors parents, teachers and support staff in recognition to their contributions to our students, schools and community.

Comprised of a parent representative from each school, CAPE (Coordination of Administration and Parent Groups for Educational Efficiency) meets monthly, and provides an opportunity for an open exchange of information and ideas among the various parent groups, administrators, board of education and community liaisons.

In a two-hour presentation, our thirty schools honored more than 180 individuals for their hard work and dedication demonstrated in either their volunteer efforts, their commendable teaching styles which engage students across a wide range of subjects, or a combination of both.

In a near standing-room only high school auditorium, winners’ spouses, children, neighbors, past and present co-workers, board of education members and district administrators sat side by side to applaud their efforts as each school’s winners took the stage, with glowing comments of gratitude delivered by the school’s principals. Standing before their own names in the PowerPoint presentation projected behind them, they accepted the kind words with grace and some embarrassment, as well as flowers, small tokens, plaques or certificates.

Dedicated school volunteers are hard to find, and harder to retain. My parents remember in grammar school it was always the same handful of moms who were busy preparing the school newsletter, making purple-ink “dittos” (I’m dating myself, I know), running games at the fun fair and prepping for endless bake sales. My dad at some points worked second shift, so he was able to help as one of the few ‘volunteer dads’, an anomaly thirty-plus years ago.

Parents (and grandparents and aunts and uncles, too): If you haven’t had or taken the opportunity to volunteer at your child’s or even a neighborhood school, you have no idea how much your help is needed and would be appreciated. Whether you can commit to once a week, once a month or once a year, every hour helps.

Can’t make it into school? Many of us can’t during school hours. Explain your situation and ask your school’s PTA, PTO or PTSO President how you can help out. Many activities take place after-school, on Friday evenings, and even on weekends – one or two activities a school year may be more possible than you once thought.

And remember, the next time you see that very familiar face of a parent volunteer at school, at an after-school event, or you know the name of your children’s room mom or dad, take a moment to say thank you. This very special handful of moms, dads and teachers dedicate their time to make your children’s school lives brighter and better, do so selflessly and ask for nothing in return.

And to all the wonderful parent volunteers in Plainfield District 202, from all those recognized earlier this week to all the other (yet) unsung heroes, thank you for everything you do when you put the children first.