10 Ways to Support Your Local Public Schools (even if you don’t have kiddos enrolled)

I wrestle with this issue a lot. At some point we are all touched by the public school system. Maybe we attended public school. Maybe we live in or commute through a school zone. I’m not sure it’s the best fit for our own children right now, but that doesn’t mean I think public education is unimportant. Teacher-bias aside, it’s extremely important. For many students, it’s a second home, a consistent set of relationships, a ticket to something better than their current situation, a place to strive for success. Our schools, teachers, and students need our support.

Here are ten ways the average citizen can participate:

10. Talk to your neighbors who do have kids enrolled in the school. Know the issues specific to your local schools. Is it high poverty? Do they have an award-winning team? Ask about the big improvement projects in the district. Ask about the school-specific political signs in people’s yards, because these are issues that will appear on your ballot, too.

9. Attend theater productions and sporting events. Sports and the arts are often the first things on the chopping block when districts have to cut their budgets. Go see the plays. The level of acting talent in local high schools might pleasantly surprise you. And you’ll feel very cultured 🙂 Pick a sport, grab a group of friends or your family, and go cheer for the teams. You might be surprised at how quickly you start to feel attached to “your team.”

8. Do the fundraisers for the kids. You can’t do everything, and that’s okay. No need to buy candy if you don’t eat it. No need to buy wrapping paper every time someone knocks on the door. But, you could pick one neighbor kid to support each year. Or pick a fundraiser that means something to you and support that one each year. If you benefitted from Arts programs in school, then maybe you could support the annual Jog-a-Thon. Maybe you have a good relationship with the kids who live across the street. Support them when you can.

7. Do the fundraisers for the teachers. Again, no need to overthink it. But we unfortunately we live in an era where public schools are deeply undervalued and therefore underfunded. Many teachers rely on things like DonorsChoose.org to support the things they want to teach their students. So go browse DonorsChoose.org and find a project in your area that you could give to financially. And then maybe go visit the teacher and introduce yourself 🙂

6. Volunteer in the trenches. If you have the time, sign up to supervise the lunch room, the playground, or be a crossing guard. Make copies, laminate, mount student projects on the walls, or grade spelling tests. Facilitate a reading circle or read to students who need extra support. All of these are especially helpful if you can commit to the same time each week.

5. Use your personal skills and talents. Write grants. Become a substitute school bus driver. Read to children in after school programs. Organize a service team from your church to do maintenance projects or adopt a classroom.

4. Substitute Teach. My daughter is currently enrolled in private school, because I’m not sure she’s ready to navigate all the heavy issues that sometimes come with public school education, but I can handle it as an adult. So I choose to support our teachers and students by providing quality subbing. It’s not a gig for everyone, but many districts are so desperate to have quality adults in the classroom that they will gladly issue an emergency sub license.

3. Drive safely through school zones and wave to the crossing guards. This is an easy one! Plan your time wisely if you drive through school zones on the way to work. Let the students and volunteers feel safe by driving the posted school zone speed, and let them feel cared for by smiling or waving. They are part of your community.

2. Participate in community clean-up days. A school I recently lived near held annual cleanup days just before school started for the year. Everyone in the neighborhood was invited to help clean up the playground, tidy the landscaping, and generally prep the school grounds for students. It was a great opportunity to help out the school and spend time with neighbors.

1. Vote. Vote for school bonds. Do your research and vote for school board members. Be wise, of course. Ask questions. Read the news. If your school district has a history of bad money management, vote accordingly. But get your voice out there.

Even if they don’t affect your family right now, for many students public schools are the only safe place, a place to get a hot meal or two, a place to have consistent relationships, and a place to pursue learning and feel successful. Public schools may never be perfect, but we should all be fighting for them.