KATE WICKHAM ELEMENTARY

How to Volunteer

The Wickham PTO invites you to become a Wickham Volunteer.  There are opportunities to fit everyone’s situation—during school hours, evening hours, weekend hours, or flexible at-home hours; for a single event or recurrent, year-long needs; for organizing and planning events, or just showing up to work a shift.

 

Not sure where to start?  Here’s how to get involved:

 

1)    Fill out the ICCSD Volunteer Application

The ICCSD Volunteer Application form is available by clicking on the blue botton to the right.

 

The form includes a Criminal Background Check and Child Abuse Check.  Each volunteer only has to fill out the form ONCE, though you will need to complete a separate background check form for each last name you have held.  All ICCSD schools have access to the approved volunteer list, so you won’t ever need to reapply if your child moves to a different school within the district.

Drop off the completed form at the Wickham office, or mail it to:
 

Volunteer Secretary

Iowa City Community School District

Educational Services Center

1725 N. Dodge St.

Iowa City, IA  52245

 

After the form is returned, it takes two weeks for the district to process the volunteer application.  You will not hear anything back from the district if your application is approved.  After the two week wait, you can start volunteering!

 

2)    Watch your email for sign up links through Sign Up Genius

Most volunteer opportunities are circulated via email, with links to Sign Up Genius.  You can find out even more about upcoming events and chances to volunteer by attending PTO meetings (held on 2nd Tuesdays, 6:30-7:30 pm in the Wickham library). 

 

Volunteer opportunities are also posted here web site, with links to Sign Up Genius.

Classroom volunteers are organized by the teachers.  These include Room Parents and volunteers to bring snacks during standardized testing (grades 3 and up).  For our younger kids, you can serve as a Buddy Reader or a Guest Reader.  Many teachers and room parents use Sign Up Genius to organize classroom events.  Ask your child’s teacher for more information!

 

3)    Register for a Sign Up Genius account

Haven’t used Sign Up Genius before?  No problem!  It’s easy to register and volunteer.  Here’s how:

  Go to the Sign Up Genius web site: http://www.signupgenius.com/

  Register for an account using your email address.

 

It’s safe—you won’t get any Spam or marketing from Sign Up Genius!

 

4)    Sign Up

When you receive an email from Wickham PTO about volunteer opportunities, click on the Sign Up Genius link in the email to go straight to the Sign Up for that event.  Log in to your account and follow the easy instructions to sign up for the event and time of your choice.

 

Sign Up Genius lets you see at a glance when and where volunteers are needed, so you can check your calendar and find the best time for your schedule.  You can even remove yourself from a Sign Up if your plans change, or swap slots with another volunteer.  Best of all, you will receive a reminder email a couple of days before the event, and you can also add it to your online calendar.

 

If you have questions about how to use Sign Up Genius, please contact the Volunteer Coordinators, or any member of the PTO Board.

 

5)    Volunteer (Warning:  May be habit-forming!)

Volunteering is a great way to connect with the Wickham community—other parents, teachers and staff, and kids—while making Wickham the best it can be.  Plus, it’s fun!