Volunteer
The PTA offers many opportunities for parents to volunteer at school, and at PTA-sponsored activities. Download and fill out your volunteer forms today! Make sure to fill out the Montgomery County and OES forms provided below.
Montgomery County Public Schools Volunteer Form
OES PTA Volunteer Form (Spanish)
Volunteer Guidelines
The administration staff and PTA of Olney Elementary appreciate everyone willing to commit time and energy to provide an excellent place of learning for all students. It takes a combined community to accomplish this, and we welcome you to join in the goal of making our school the best that it can be.
Volunteer Responsibilities
Every volunteer must register in the main office upon arrival; sign the school visitor book and get a visitor sticker. At the end of the volunteer time, it is important that you sign out in the school visitor book as well as record your time spent volunteering in the PTA Volunteer Log located on the small table just inside the office door (blank logs are in the back of the book). Volunteer hours are reported monthly to the Department of Family and Community Partnerships in MCPS.
Volunteers play a key role in the classroom but teachers do understand that you may need to cancel. Please notify teachers/staff ASAP if you cannot volunteer for a scheduled time so they can make any needed adjustments.
We ask that you respect each student’s rights and privacy. It is essential that confidentiality is maintained. Volunteers should discuss any concerns directly and exclusively with the supervising teacher/staff.
Volunteers are responsible for understanding and using the specific approach demonstrated by the teacher/staff so that the children are dealt with consistently.
Volunteers should make outside arrangements for child care of non-school age children instead of bringing them to school during volunteer time. If this is an issue for you please talk with the teacher/staff that you wish to help.
Teachers will provide written and/or oral directions for activities they want help with. If you do not understand the assigned task please ask for a clarification at an appropriate break.
Students need to stay focused and on task in class. Therefore, we appreciate it if distractions are kept at a minimum and cell phones are turned off or placed on vibrate.
Disciplinary action is the legal responsibility of administrators and school staff. If you are having a problem, immediately inform the teacher or appropriate staff member.
Volunteer Tips
To insure the most productive experience for volunteers, the following suggestions should be kept in mind
- Teachers plan around your help so please adhere to the schedule. Call if you need to cancel.
- Develop a set routine for receiving assignments. This allows you to begin with minimal disruption.
- Treat your child as you would every other child in the class. Too much interaction can be disruptive.
- Respect that a teacher’s desk and closet are private.
- Never discuss any child’s classroom performance or behavior.
- Save all questions regarding your child for a scheduled conference.
- Make appointments concerning your child before or after school, not during your volunteer time.
- If you have a concern, please discuss it with the teacher/staff person you are assisting.