What's+a+PAL?


 * Update August 2017 **


 * Thank you very much for your interest in the PALs program. Due to changes in staff scheduling last year that enabled increased supervision in the cafeteria and reduced the need for volunteer help, the PTG and school administration have decided to discontinue the PALs program for the 2017-2018 school year. Heartfelt thanks to our many volunteers who have given their time to be a PAL over the past eleven years. It has really made a diffference! **


 * If you enjoy seeing the kids during the social times of their school day, a great place to volunteer is in the Grounds for Learning school garden. Kids can explore, play and/or help with gardening during their after-lunch recess in the fall and spring. The garden can only be open if a volunteer is present, so it's a big help if you can do it! You don't have to be a gardener yourself to volunteer. Click here for more info -->> http://thoreaugfl.wikispaces.com/home **


 * - Kimber Lynn Drake **
 * PALs Coordinator **

=
=================================================================================================================== __** What is the PALs program? **__

The Parents At Lunch (PALs) program is a team of volunteers who provide support and assistance to students and staff during the lunch period and lunch recess. Being a PAL is a great way to see your child and help out during this important part of the day. It also gives you a chance to see firsthand the food offerings and cafeteria/playground social dynamics at Thoreau School.

__** Who are PALs and what do they do? **__

PALs are parents/guardians of current Thoreau students. PALs help with logistical tasks in the cafeteria and on the playground to enable the noon aides to focus on student safety and behavior. This helps to keep lunchtime, recess and the transitions in between running smoothly and safely for all.

In the cafeteria, PALs perform the following tasks:
 * wipe down tables between seatings
 * help kids open food containers
 * wheel carts of student lunch bags back to their classrooms (K and 1st grade classes only)
 * give kids permission to get up to go to the bathroom
 * straighten up the lost and found table

On the playground, PALs will:
 * be another pair of eyes and an additional adult presence
 * make sure students stay within eyesight of adults
 * report any injuries or behavior/safety issues to the noon aides
 * retrieve balls that roll into areas where students are not allowed to go
 * monitor boundaries to help ensure that students stay in safe areas

PALs are NOT required to:
 * serve food
 * set tables
 * bring condiments/napkins, etc to the seated students
 * address behavior issues and maintain order in the cafeteria or on the playground - This function is provided by the noon aides (and assistant teachers for kindergarten lunch), but if you are comfortable helping with that they welcome the support.
 * clean up large spills (report them to custodian on duty instead)
 * escort kids inside from the playground during recess to go to the bathroom, nurse's office, etc.
 * escort kids from the cafeteria to the playground for recess (nor to the classrooms on indoor recess days)

PALs are asked to refrain from using their cell phones during their volunteer shifts, especially when out on the playground.

In the cafeteria, there is one PAL volunteer on duty each day with two noon aides and a maintenance staff member. On the playground, there is one PAL volunteer on duty with three noon aides.

For new volunteers who would like to see what being a PAL is like before working your first shift, you can observe and/or be trained simply by coming in on a day when there is an experienced volunteer on the calendar.

__** What is the time commitment and when do I have to be available? **__

PALs choose the days they would like to come in and sign up on the calendar in this wiki. Shifts can be as frequent or as infrequent as you like. Cafeteria shifts can be as short as 65 minutes (12:05 – 1:10pm) or as long as 1 hour and 40 minutes (11:50am – 1:30pm). Your choice. Playground shifts are 1 hour and 45 minutes long (12:05 - 1:50pm).

Even if you are only available a few times a year, we can accommodate you and would love your help!

__** When will my child be at lunch and at lunch recess? **__

Lunch seating times for 2017-2018 are:
 * 11:30am - Grade 1
 * 11:50am - Grade 2
 * 12:10pm - Kindergarten (Kindergarten at 12:20pm on Thursdays)
 * 12:30pm - Grade 3
 * 12:50pm - Grade 4
 * 1:10pm - Grade 5

Lunch recess times for 2017-2018 are:
 * 11:50am - Grade 1
 * 12:10pm - Grade 2
 * 12:30pm - Kindergarten
 * 12:50pm - Grade 3
 * 1:10pm - Grade 4
 * 1:30pm - Grade 5

All lunch and lunch recess periods are 20 minutes long.

__** How do I get started? **__

First, apply for a CORI approval (or make sure that your previous approval is up to date - the school office can look it up for you). The approval process takes a few business days. To get approved, bring a photo ID to the Thoreau administrative office and fill out a form. CORI approval is required for all volunteer activities that involve interaction with students. If you have been CORI approved anywhere in the school district (integrated preschool, CMS, CCHS) that approval is valid for Thoreau as well.

Second, please add your name and contact info to our roster here.

Third, come back to this website as often as you like to browse the calendar and sign up for shifts (choose a month in the left navigation bar). Training/observation shifts are available for new volunteers or those considering becoming a PAL, but your first shift does not have to be a training shift.

Finally, on the day of your shift please sign in at the office, get a visitor badge and arrive at the cafeteria by 12:05pm (if you want to catch all of 2nd grade lunch come at 11:50am). Check in with a noon aide in the cafeteria and let them know whether you signed up to volunteer inside, outside or either. If you are volunteering inside (cafeteria), please stay until the last group has been seated at 1:10pm. If you are able to stay for the entire lunch period (until 1:30pm) that's even better, but not required. If you are volunteering outside (playground), you will exit to the playground with the first group of kids and the outside noon aides - please stay until the last group finishes recess at 1:50pm.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Kimber Lynn Drake, PALs Coordinator, at 978-831-3058 or kimber.drake@alum.mit.edu.