NewsUpper SchoolStudent LifeFaculty/StaffAlumniPre-K to 8AdvancementService
Parents offer time, talents to Middle School
Dec 7, 2004 8:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
From the student’s desk to the faculty member’s office, the Middle School is stirring with activity, and parent volunteers are always willing to step into the mix. According to Diane Ogletree, administrative assistant, parent volunteers lend a helpful hand to the School, giving their time and talents on a daily basis.
Rosa Kelley, the School’s Parents Association representative, heads up many of the special activities that take place throughout the year. With the help of the Parents Association, School events such as the Halloween Party, Christmas Dance and Teacher Appreciation Week run smoothly each year.
A 1980 graduate of Darlington, Kelley enjoys the opportunity to give her time to the School. “I enjoy helping out, because I like to meet the children and keep in touch with their interests,” she said.
Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod added that volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for moms who aren’t working outside of their homes to be at the Middle School with their kids on a day-to-day basis.
Gina Schecter gives of her own time and coordinates volunteers to work in the School’s library, the Book Nook. “Working in the Book Nook has enabled me to better know the students that are close in age and grade with my daughter,” said Schecter, who stepped into the position when librarian LaVance Atkins retired last year.
Schecter enjoys reading and spending time with children, making her position the perfect fit. “I enjoy being around the kids and enjoy helping them find a good book to read,” she said. “I have also tried to read many of the books they have in the Book Nook so I can better recommend books for the Middle School kids.”
According to Schecter, the opportunity to volunteer is one of many ways for parents to show their support for Darlington, and when it comes to helping out, there is something for everyone.
Nancy Knight volunteers her time in Ogletree’s office. “I spend my time updating the daily announcements, answering the phone and working on anything special Diane needs,” she said.
By helping out, Knight realizes that Ogletree is one of the School’s most valuable assets. “It is as though my children have a second mom with them all day,” Knight said. “The children go to her with ‘any and all’ problems. Her patience and kindness is to be admired.”
With her youngest son going into seventh grade, Knight’s service provides her the opportunity to be more involved in his school activities. “I enjoy every minute volunteering at the Middle School,” she said. “By spending a little time there each month, I get to know some of the teachers and students that I otherwise might not come in contact with.”
Joan Brock ('74) volunteered at the Middle School for six years while her children attended, and she helped out in any way necessary, even teaching a biology class on one occasion. As her children grew, Brock quickly learned that volunteering gave her insight into their changing lives. “By helping out, I was able to meet my children’s teachers and friends,” she said. “Volunteering allowed me to stay involved in my children’s lives as they left the Lower School and didn’t talk about school as much.”
Brock found volunteering to be a very helpful step in the transition from lower to middle school, and recommends that parents take advantage of the opportunity. “Darlington makes it easy to volunteer, but parents need to be pro-active in becoming involved,” she said. “There are so many ways to lend your time, even if you are a working parent. It’s as easy as letting someone know you are interested.”
Ogletree said the list of volunteers is endless, and she is grateful. “For over 12 years, we have had wonderful support from moms,” she said. “They are willing to pitch in and do just about anything.”
*Written by Eric Molletta, public relations intern from Shorter College
Rosa Kelley, the School’s Parents Association representative, heads up many of the special activities that take place throughout the year. With the help of the Parents Association, School events such as the Halloween Party, Christmas Dance and Teacher Appreciation Week run smoothly each year.
A 1980 graduate of Darlington, Kelley enjoys the opportunity to give her time to the School. “I enjoy helping out, because I like to meet the children and keep in touch with their interests,” she said.
Assistant Principal Sally MacLeod added that volunteering is a wonderful opportunity for moms who aren’t working outside of their homes to be at the Middle School with their kids on a day-to-day basis.
Gina Schecter gives of her own time and coordinates volunteers to work in the School’s library, the Book Nook. “Working in the Book Nook has enabled me to better know the students that are close in age and grade with my daughter,” said Schecter, who stepped into the position when librarian LaVance Atkins retired last year.
Schecter enjoys reading and spending time with children, making her position the perfect fit. “I enjoy being around the kids and enjoy helping them find a good book to read,” she said. “I have also tried to read many of the books they have in the Book Nook so I can better recommend books for the Middle School kids.”
According to Schecter, the opportunity to volunteer is one of many ways for parents to show their support for Darlington, and when it comes to helping out, there is something for everyone.
Nancy Knight volunteers her time in Ogletree’s office. “I spend my time updating the daily announcements, answering the phone and working on anything special Diane needs,” she said.
By helping out, Knight realizes that Ogletree is one of the School’s most valuable assets. “It is as though my children have a second mom with them all day,” Knight said. “The children go to her with ‘any and all’ problems. Her patience and kindness is to be admired.”
With her youngest son going into seventh grade, Knight’s service provides her the opportunity to be more involved in his school activities. “I enjoy every minute volunteering at the Middle School,” she said. “By spending a little time there each month, I get to know some of the teachers and students that I otherwise might not come in contact with.”
Joan Brock ('74) volunteered at the Middle School for six years while her children attended, and she helped out in any way necessary, even teaching a biology class on one occasion. As her children grew, Brock quickly learned that volunteering gave her insight into their changing lives. “By helping out, I was able to meet my children’s teachers and friends,” she said. “Volunteering allowed me to stay involved in my children’s lives as they left the Lower School and didn’t talk about school as much.”
Brock found volunteering to be a very helpful step in the transition from lower to middle school, and recommends that parents take advantage of the opportunity. “Darlington makes it easy to volunteer, but parents need to be pro-active in becoming involved,” she said. “There are so many ways to lend your time, even if you are a working parent. It’s as easy as letting someone know you are interested.”
Ogletree said the list of volunteers is endless, and she is grateful. “For over 12 years, we have had wonderful support from moms,” she said. “They are willing to pitch in and do just about anything.”
*Written by Eric Molletta, public relations intern from Shorter College
