The WAVE FAQs

 

Q.  Why do we need the WAVE?  Don’t we already have volunteers and tutors? 

A: To get more volunteers.

  • Wayside Elementary has set a site goal for the OCCT (that’s the state test that 3rd-5th graders take every Spring).  We’re close to meeting that goal, but we would like a little extra help to get there.  When Mr. Dennis was asked what parents could do to help reach that goal, he said, “I need more tutors.” The WAVE was born from that request.

 

Q.  Isn’t it the teacher’s job to get all kids to be proficient on the OCCT? 

A: Yes and no. It is the teachers’ job, but not just the teachers’ job. To be one of the top schools in our peer group and provide an excellent education for our kids, it really has to be a community effort. We all have an active role in the education of our children.

 

Q.  I don’t think we should be asking businesses to donate items to get more volunteers.  Shouldn’t parents volunteer just because it helps the school, not for what they can get out of it?

A:  You have the option to donate your award back to the WAVE so we can give it to someone else who might not otherwise volunteer.  Otherwise, please enjoy your reward.  We appreciate your time in volunteering and the area companies would not have donated the rewards if they did not believe the WAVE was a worthy cause.

 

Q.  Why should I help?

A:   Here’s three good reasons:

  • Incentives. Who wouldn’t enjoy a free meal at Monterrey’s, a massage at Fusion, a pedicure at Elite, or a gift from Sweet Peas?   These and more were all courtesy of Bartlesville area businesses last year! 
  • Research. Research on parent involvement shows families have a major influence on their children’s achievement in school and through life.  When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family, and Community Connections on Student Achievement, Annual Synthesis 2002.
  • The kids. The most important reason is the kids!  The best reward in volunteering is seeing the child smile, think, and achieve. 

 

Q.  Can working parents help?

A:  Absolutely! 

  • Volunteer for 30 minutes on your lunch break once a week or once a month (afterwards, take 15 minutes to eat lunch with your child in the cafeteria; that’s a win for you, a win for your child, and a win for the school).
  • Volunteer for 30 minutes after work as long as it is before 6 pm (your child can play on the playground, visit the library, or do his/her homework while you volunteer).
  • Check out the list of non-academic volunteer opportunities that are especially suited for full time workers -- all volunteers contribute to the culture and success of our school and ultimately impact the academic achievement of our children.  Kelly Cummings would be glad to help you find a place that fits your schedule.
  • In addition to regular, consistent and committed volunteers, we need substitute volunteers too.  If you can’t commit to be a regular consistent volunteer, be a substitute for one when they can’t come in due to illness, vacation, etc.  Substitutes are a very important part of the WAVE.  Teachers take the time to prepare a tutoring lesson and when a regular volunteer cannot make their scheduled time, the teachers’ time is wasted and the child loses an opportunity to learn.
  • If a sufficient number of people from your employer volunteer, training can be held at your place of employment.

 

Q.  How much time will this require from me?

A:  It’s up to you.  On average, 30-60 minutes once a week would be ideal. However, if you can provide 30-60 minutes every two weeks or once a month, we can use you.

 

Q.  OK, I’m sold. What can I do?

A:  Pick one of the following seven ways to help.

  • Math tutor (for kids on math plans)
  • Reading tutor (for kids on reading plans)
  • Classroom help (for regular education kids)
  • Library (to assist Mrs. Hixon)
  • Work Room (to assist all teachers)
  • Test Monitor (in spring only)
  • Substitute for any of the above

 

Q.  When do I start? 

A:  The teachers need about a month to set up their class communities and assess the students’ needs. We use that time to train our volunteers and provide them with an orientation. Orientation and training for math, reading, library and workroom will be sometime in September. You will get more specific information on when your actual volunteer time begins at those training sessions. It should fall sometime around October 1.

 

Q.  When do I stop?

A:  Right after spring testing in April, although, some teachers may ask you to stay on until the end of the school year in May. It’s up to you. It’s basically about a 26 week commitment within the school year.

 

Q.  I still have questions about the WAVE.  Who can I talk to?

A:  Anyone on the WAVE committee would be happy to answer your questions.  Here’s their contact information.

 

 

Teacher Leads     333-8000                                Parent Leads

Gail Stone                                                Carlie Baccus           335-2625                               Baccusfamily@sbcglobal.net

Margaret McDonald                                 Jessica Butler           333-5432               Jesslbutler@hotmail.com

Nancy Farmer                                         Bernadette Galvez    876-1275               btgalvez@yahoo.com

Sherrie Lavery

Shelly Buhlinger