Volunteering at Parkside
See which opportunities align with your interests and skills. Each household is expected to commit a minimum of 30 volunteer hours per year, as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding.
Log volunteer hours
Your time and talents play a vital role in enriching the Parkside Montessori community. We thank you for your partnership!
Volunteer Opportunities
Drop-in Volunteer opportunities available year-round
Tigers Play at Lunchtime
For grades 1-6 families only
Time Commitment: Drop-in volunteer shifts are Mondays and Fridays from 11:10 AM to 12:45 PM
Duties: Lead or supervise art activities and games
Tigers Play Jr. at Recess
For TK and K families only
Time Commitment: Drop-in volunteer shifts are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 11:10 AM to 12:45 PM
Duties: Lead or supervise art activities and games
Lego Lab
Time Commitment: Drop-in volunteer shifts are Mondays from 2:40 to 4:00 PM
Duties: Supervise students
Courtyard Supervisor
Time Commitment: 1-hour drop-in volunteer shifts are available Monday to Friday, between 9:00 and 11:00 AM
Duties: Oversee the courtyard while students complete outdoor tasks or take their snacks. Read more about supporting students in the courtyard.
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to sign up
Lunchtime Supervisor
Time Commitment: 1.5-hour shifts are available Monday to Friday, between 11:05 AM and 12:35 PM
Duties: Oversee students during lunch
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to sign up
Project-based Volunteer opportunities throughout the year
Videographer/Editor
Time Commitment: 10-20 hours
Duties: Create a video that shows what Parkside Montessori is all about. The purpose of the video is to attract new families to our school.
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to express interest in this role
Yearbook Team
Time Commitment: March-April 5-10 hours per week, May 10+ hours per week for final push
Duties: Finalize layouts, proofread, photo placement, verify student names, meet print deadlines, and submit to publisher
➤ Contact Amy H to express interest in joining the team
Walk-a-Jog, Friday, September 19, 2025
➤ Express interest in this event
Movie Night, Friday, October 24, 2025
Volunteer signup will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
International Event, Friday, November 14, 2025
Volunteer signup will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
Spring Auction, Saturday, March 17, 2026
➤ Express interest in this event
Peace Earth Parkside, coming April 2026
Volunteer signup will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
AAPI Festival, coming May 2026
Volunteer signup will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2026
Activities and volunteer signups will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
End of Year Gathering, coming June 2026
Volunteer signup will open a month before the event. Check the PTA newsletter.
year-long volunteer positions
Cohort Representative
1 rep for each cohort: Primary TK-K, Lower Elementary Gr 1-3, Upper Elementary Gr 4-6, Adolescent Gr 7-8
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Duties: Act as a point of contact for the teacher, other parents, and the PTA;
facilitate communication, volunteer coordination, and event planning
➤ Contact Monica A to express interest in this role
Classroom Representative
2 reps for each classroom
Time Commitment: 1-2 hours per week
Duties: Act as a point of contact for the teacher, other parents, and the PTA;
facilitate communication, volunteer coordination, and event planning
➤ Contact Monica A to express interest in this role
Classroom Assistant
Prerequisite: Completion of an online training program through the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector
Time Commitment: 3-6 hours per week on a set schedule
Duties: Supporting Montessori teachers, ensuring the learning environment is prepared for students, observing learning, and modeling grace and courteous interactions
Read Parkside's Plan for Parents as Classroom Assistants Program.
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to express interest in this role
Staff Appreciation Lead
Time Commitment: Approximately once a month + Teacher Appreciation Week, May 4-8, 2026
Duties: Coordinating lunch on staff professional development days
➤ Contact Monica A to express interest in this role
Lost and Found Lead
Time Commitment: School year
Duties: Maintain the lost and found
➤ Position is filled
Parent Education Lead
Time Commitment: Once a quarter
Duties: Work with the principal to coordinate Parent Ed nights
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to express interest in this role
School Site Council (SSC) Representative
SSC is a group of teachers, parents, administrators, and interested community members who work together to develop and monitor a school's improvement plan. It is a legally required decision-making body for any school receiving federal funds. Visit the SSC and ELAC page.
Time Commitment:
Duties: Working with the principal to develop, review, and evaluate school improvement programs and budgets.
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to express interest in this role
San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation Liaison
The San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization founded in 1989. The mission of the Foundation is to support and enhance public education in the 21 elementary and middle schools in San Mateo and Foster City. Visit the San Mateo Foster City Education Foundation page.
Time Commitment:
Duties: Facilitate communication and partnership between Parkside and the Education Foundation to support the foundation's mission of enhancing educational opportunities for students
➤ Contact Principal Tahai to express interest in this role
volunteer requirements
SMFCSD requires volunteers who work directly with students on or off campus to get fingerprinted.
Fingerprinting Process
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Obtain a Livescan Request Form from the front office.
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Take the form to any facility that offers Live Scan fingerprinting services, such as UPS and Postal Annex, and get fingerprinted.
Live Scan fingerprinting services incur a fee of $90. If you need financial assistance, contact the front office. -
Return the completed Live Scan form to the school front office.
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The school will submit the form to the Human Resources department for a background check, which will check the fingerprints against state and federal databases. Please allow 1-2 weeks for processing.
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Once cleared, your information will be entered into the school's system, and you can begin volunteering at Parkside.
This clearance is valid for the entirety of your student's time at Parkside. If you have multiple students, it is valid until your last student leaves Parkside.
Student Information Privacy Agreement
Sign the Student Information Privacy Agreement, which can be obtained from the front office.
