In our past
newsletter
,
we featured our hardworking
Student Literacy Task Force
, student leaders who helped reopen the library and who encourage their peers to read more by serving as student librarians. This month, we are happy to feature Ms. Laura Soares as our K-12 Parent Spotlight. She is the parent volunteer who supports the efforts of the Student Literacy Task Force and who regularly spends time at our Middle School campus. Read about her work below:
Tell us a little about yourself? What grade is your student(s) in at PHA?
My daughter is a senior. She is a lifer at PHA. My son is in the 8th grade.
What do you do in your volunteering at the Essex Street library here at PHA?
When I came in the library in January, all the books were in the closet. I started by pulling all the nonfiction books out moving them into place in the library. My job is to get all the nonfiction books in order – [labeled, organized by genre].
Why do you volunteer with us here at PHA?
It is important to me to be involved in the school. The library is so important to have in the school. When I heard they almost closed it, it made me sad because not everyone has Kindles to be able to read electronically. Being to help get the library open is very meaningful to me.
How do you find the time to volunteer at PHA?
Volunteering for the library is one of the top of my priorities. I like to come here in the mornings when it is quiet, work, and then I go home to take care of other things. Since evening volunteering is not possible for me, I like being able to volunteer in this way.
What would you want to say, if anything, to any parents thinking about volunteering at PHA in general or who may be worried about volunteering because of the demands on their time?
Volunteering doesn’t have to be a time huge commitment. You can volunteer for an hour here and there, wherever you may be needed. I found it difficult to find places to volunteer in the upper grades, so I was happy to find the opportunity that fit my needs.
Even if parents cannot physically be in the school, what other ways do you stay engaged with PHA when you are not here?
I reach out to the teachers a lot to find out what is happening. I also reach out to
Juana
(9-12th grade CFA) or
Anne
(7-12 FAB Chair) to find out what happened at an evening meeting or what is going on [in general in the school]. They are a great resource and are always happy to share [updates] with you. I also follow all the PHA social media accounts.
Where can other parents connect with you if they have any questions?
Any parents wondering about my volunteering experience or anything else can email me here: [email protected].