Volunteer at Jefferson
Been wondering how to become more involved in your child's education–and improve Jefferson School for all students?
Considering getting involved with the PTA? Maybe you have been wondering about a particular topic — earthquake safety, yard maintenance, or grant writing — but are not sure who to contact.
This page lists areas where parent volunteers are welcome. The contact people can provide information and talk to you about getting involved.
Classroom volunteers
Most teachers welcome assistance from parents of children in their classrooms. Teachers might have parents read to children, help with class projects, field trips or class parties. Even short time commitments can be helpful. Teachers often talk about their volunteer needs at Back to School Night in late September.
Contact: Your child's teacher
After School Volunteers
We need enthusiastic and interested parents to help teachers with reading, math, and homework skills in small groups or one-on-one settings.
Contact: Principal Riddle at 644-6298 with your interests and availablity.
Room Partners (aka Room Parents)
Room partners are crucial in getting information out to parents of children in the class, especially about class-family gatherings and special activities.
Contact: your child's teacher or one of the PTA Room Parent Coordinators.
PTA
Jefferson has a very involved PTA. Fun-filled community events such as Halloween Night, Book Fair, Family Art night and others are put on by the PTA, and require a lot of help from parents. Help with fundraising is also needed. The PTA meets on the second Thursday of the month at 6:30pm in the library. Everyone is welcome. Those who do not wish to attend meetings are still encouraged to help out with events.
Contact: The PTA e-mail tree at pta_jefferson@hotmail.com to write in questions and get on the e-mail list for e-mails with information about PTA and other school events.
Technology Committee
The parents and teachers on this committee focus on technology infrastructure needs at Jefferson. The Committee’s goal is to help teachers use technology and improve the technology infra-structure of the school.
Contact: Principal Riddle 644-6298.
School Site Committees
The school site committees are: School Site Council, Title I Site Advisory Committee, Berkeley School Enrichment Committee (BSEP), Bilingual Bicultural Parent Committee (BSAC)
These are all committees of parents, faculty and in some cases staff, who work with the principal to assess overall student achievement and needs, as well as site goals for the school. Each committee considers how the pots of money for which it is responsible should be allocated. They do not meet often, and meeting times are set around participants’ availability. Meetings are open to all, and everyone is encouraged to participate. More details about each committee appear on the last page of this year’s school handbook, the “Bulletin of Information for Parents and Guardians,” that was sent home with students shortly after the school year started. Elections for committee members are held annually in the autumn.
Contact: Principal Riddle 644-6298.
Voyager After-School Program
The Voyager After-School Program is a on-site after-school program that runs from the end of school until 6:00pm.
Contact: Morris Norisse (510) 644-6299 or (510) 644-8763.
District Committees
There are various district-wide committees and taskforces. The umbrella PTA organization for all Berkeley public schools is called the PTA Council, which meets monthly on the third Monday of the month.