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

Sign up for shifts

 

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

Sign up for shifts

 

Lego Lab 

Time Commitment: Drop-in volunteer shifts are Mondays from 2:40 to 4:00 PM

Duties: Supervise students

Visit our Lego Lab page.

Contact Julie P to sign up

 

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

 

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

  1. Obtain a Livescan Request Form from the front office.
     
  2. 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.

     

  3. Return the completed Live Scan form to the school front office.
     
  4. 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. 
     
  5. 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.