We face ongoing challenges throughout the year in staffing the many volunteer positions critical to the success of the school. After carefully evaluating the volunteer needs over the past two years, we have determined that each family would need to provide 35-40 hours per year in order to manage all the volunteer needs at the school. As you review the volunteer opportunities please keep this suggested number of hours in mind so that we can continue to offer the many programs and services that help make St. Simon a school of excellence. To sign up for any of the activities below, click on our volunteer sign-up sheet here!
Date-Specific Events
Back to School Hot Dog Social/New Families Night, Thursday, August 16, 2012
Each August, a week prior to the first day of school, St. Simon hosts a hot dog social for all incoming students and their families to meet their new teacher and reacquaint with old friends. Following the “meet your teacher” event, all families will join Steve Rummell for a quick meeting. Help is needed for purchasing food, set-up or clean up. Time Commitment: 2 hours.
Parish Wide Fall BBQ September, 2012
Come ONE, Come All to the St. Simon BBQ in the fall! This is a great way to kick off the fall season and celebrate being ONE parish. There will be games and activities for the children, live DJ, a good old fashion BBQ menu and a Beverage Bar. Help is needed in coordinating the activities and on-site set-up, clean up, and serving. Time commitment: Varies
Monster Mash, October, 2012
Each year the 8th grade students from St. Simon School with the Edge and Life Teen youth group set-up a haunted house and carnival for the annual Monster Mash Halloween Party. This social event is open to all parish and school families. We are looking for a chairperson who will have subcommittees for: set-up, clean-up, serving beverages, providing treats and booth support for the carnival games. Time Commitment: Varies
Golf Tournament, October 22, 2012
The Parish holds a Golf Tournament every year in October. Volunteer jobs include helping assemble swag bags for golfers, event day registration, on-course assistance, and during dinner. For a more detailed listing of opportunities, see the Golf Tournament Volunteer page.
Book Fair, November 2012
The library sponsors annual Book Fairs in November and May. Help is needed to plan the event, set up, and work at the sales table. It is a fun event and it provides valuable support for our library. Time Commitment: Varies depending on the task you choose.
Advent Wreath Making Event, Sunday, November 25, 2012
Join your fellow school families during one of the most special Catholic traditions of the parish, by assisting families make a wreath. We always need help for set up; organizing supplies, and helping families assemble their wreath. Time Commitment: 1-4 hours
Christmas Program, December 20, 2012
Volunteers are needed to help decorate the stage and backdrop for the annual Christmas program. This is usually done in the evening a day or two before the play. Time commitment: 2 hours
Catholic Schools Week, January 2013
In January, St. Simon participates in National Catholic School week. The school holds an open house for the public. Families interested in applying to St. Simon Catholic School and current school parents attend. Help is needed to greet and direct visitors, set up information tables, pass out school literature, explain the application process, and answer questions. Other assistance is also needed during this week for decorations and publicity. Time commitment: 3-4 hours on or before the day of the event.
Generations Day, January 30, 2013
During National Catholic School week, we honor the student’s grandparents or “special person” in their life by providing a lunch during the school day. This is a cherished time for both our student and special guest. It’s also a great time for the guest to preview the school and to gain insight into the child’s world. Volunteers are needed for: set-up, serving, and clean up. Time commitment: 2 hours
St. Patrick's Day Dinner, March , 2013
"St. Simon Parish Center" transforms into an "Irish Dinner & Entertainment Center" with tables of green and white, a stage for Irish dancers to perform, a traditional dinner of corn beef and cabbage and of course, an Irish bar! Help is needed for decorations, set up, serving and/or clean up! Everyone is a little Irish on St. Paddy's Day! Time Commitment: Varies
Easter Vigil Reception, Saturday, March 29, 2013
What a magical night this is for our newest members of our parish. It is a beautiful catered reception immediately following the Easter Vigil Mass on Easter Sunday. This is not only a reception for our RCIA candidates (that graduate and join our parish) but for the St. Simon Catholic community as well. Volunteers are needed for planning, set-up, and clean up. Time Commitment: 2 hours or more
Walk-a-thon, April/May 2013
The next Walk-a-thon will be held in April or May 2011. Planning will begin in January. Volunteer jobs include planning, publicity, prize and gift solicitation, raffle, logistics, music, food and beverage service, rally, organization, bookkeeping, volunteer coordinator and communications. Time commitment will vary depending on job assignment.
Book Fair, May 2013
The library sponsors annual Book Fairs in November and May. Help is needed to plan the event, set up, and work at the sales table. It is a fun event and it provides valuable support for our library. Time Commitment: Varies depending on the task you choose.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
Copying for Teachers
Parent volunteers are needed to work in the school copy center copying documents, handouts, assignments, etc., as needed by the school faculty and staff. Volunteers are asked to sign up to work specific day(s) to complete copying requests that have been submitted by the staff. Time commitment: 1-2 hours in the morning weekly.
Directory Distribution
The Parent Advisory Group (PAG) provides a directory to all school families. A chairperson is needed for coordinating distribution. Time commitment: 2-3 hours in September
Health Office
The Health Office is staffed by parent volunteers in the afternoon who check-in tardy students, collect and record student absences, call parents if reason for student absences is not known, dismiss or admit students leaving and coming from school outside of normal dismissal and arrival times, monitor taking of medications, and monitor students who are ill and may need to go home. The director of the Health Office trains or assigns trainers for this valuable and important volunteer duty. Time commitment: Volunteers are asked to sign up for a specific day(s) and week(s) of the month for a 3-4 hour afternoon shift.
Middle School Youth Group Coordinators
The Middle School Youth Group (EDGE) consists of 7th and 8th graders at Saint Simon Parish and School. The parent coordinators' job is to organize one activity per month for the middle school students. There are three 7th and three 8th grade parent coordinators. These coordinators handle communication about the Jr. High dances throughout the Diocese of San Jose. They distribute flyers/email to students with details regarding dances and provide a class list to the school hosting the dance. The coordinators provide chaperones to the dances. St. Simon Parish School traditionally hosts the December Christmas dance and the JHYG coordinators are responsible for getting the volunteers needed to help set-up, clean up, and chaperone the dance. They also plan social events such as: miniature golfing, bowling, and an outing to Raging Water’s and possibly more. Time commitment: Two years.
Library Aides
Library Aides assist with the students’ activities and the overall functions of the library. Aides read to children in grades one and two. Aides check books in and out, shelve books, and assist students in locating materials on the shelves. Aides may also assist the Librarian with accessing and processing of new and donated books and magazines, filing, data input and other activities associated with the Library. Time commitment: Varies, depending on what task you select. This obligation is usually twice a month.
New Family Program/Host Families
Our New Family Host program is designed to welcome new families to our school and help them feel comfortable when the new school year begins. In grades 1-8, each new student is matched with a student in the same grade. The family is “hosted” by the family of the matched student. The families get together during the summer to talk about policies, procedures, programs and activities of St. Simon School. The host family is expected to attend the New Family Night in August with the new family, invite them to attend Mass or a parish event together and keep in contact during the year to make sure all is going well. Time Commitment: Varies, July - January
Room Parent Coordinator
We are looking for 1-3 people to act as liaisons between the school administration and the Room Parents. The Coordinators will plan snacks for the holiday parties and spearhead the Teacher Appreciation Week. This includes: Flower day, treats in the Teacher's lounge and the Annual Teacher's Appreciation lunch at the school. You will also be responsibly for communicating all upcoming events and responsibilities to the Room Parents. Time Commitment: 2-3 years
Room Parent
There are two to three room parents per class. The Room parents assist with classroom parties, communicate to parents upcoming events. They also organize one monthly Teacher's luncheon & assist with the Teacher's Appreciation Day. There is also a special activity per grade, which is coordinated by the room parents during the year. Time Commitment: varies month to month for the school year
School Pictures Assistant
On the days of school pictures, parents are needed to check students in and make sure they are ready for their pictures. The photographer may require assistance in set up and processing students that have come in for the pictures taken. Time Commitment: 2-3 hours early September
Scrip Sales
Scrip sales are an important fundraiser at St. Simon Parish School. Help is needed with marketing and distributing the scrip. This is a great job for those who would like to work from home. Time Commitment: Varies Monthly
Science Docents
The Science Department solicits help from parent volunteers to aid in the instruction of specific science topics. Parents can volunteer to work in the classrooms to share their science expertise by leading science experiments. Parents who have special training or knowledge of specific topics can either contact their classroom teachers or talk to the Science Lab Teacher directly about their area of expertise to see if there is an opportunity to give a presentation on the curriculum. Time commitment: 1-2 hours/month.
Sound Technicians
One or two people who are technically inclined are needed to set up and operate the sound equipment at the Christmas Program, Talent Show and Sixth Grade History Play. Set-up, presence at the daytime dress rehearsals and at evening performances, and dismantling and putting the equipment away afterwards are required. Time commitment: Varies dependent upon event.
Substitute Teacher
Experienced, credentialed teachers who are certified are always needed in the event of illness or other emergencies. If you are a credentialed teacher who may be able to substitute for the school, please sign up to do so. Registration with the Diocese of San Jose is required.
Talent Show
In the spring of each year, parents and staff sponsor a Talent Show for the students. Volunteers are needed to help organize, assist with the preview, decorate the stage, and escort students from the school to the gym during the evening show. Performances are held during the school day for the student body and in the evening for parents and friends. Time commitment: 2-3 hours.
Used Uniform Sale
Volunteers help sorting, organizing and boxing donations for storage. Also, they help out on sale days, which are held approximately 3 times each year.
Yard Duty
This is one of the most critical volunteer activities of the school. The Yard Duty program enhances the safety and security of the students during the lunch recess. There are two adult Yard Duty volunteers for grades 1 and 2, and one for each grade 3-8. Throughout the campus they supervise the students during their lunch break, from approximately 12 noon to 1 PM. Yard Duty volunteers receive tuition vouchers for their services. Each yard duty for the school can sign up for one day per month or everyday, depending on their schedule. This is a great opportunity to observe your child’s interaction with their peers and meet his/her friends. Time commitment: 1 hour/day, as registered.