All Things University City: Back to School - Back to Normal

School supplies have been organized, bigger and more updated clothing purchased, brown bag lunches packed -- yes, it’s that time of year when moms rejoice -- back to school, woohoo!

A few of us celebrated by having breakfast...and then I logged into Facebook and saw all the postings of friends’ kids on their first day of school. Darnit, I’m the worst mother ever, I can’t remember the last time I took a picture on the first day of school. I did get up bright and early to help hand out schedules at UCHS, but since it was my baby’s first day of high school, you would have thought I would have taken one picture. But no, I was rushing out the door yelling at him to go grab his bagel from the toaster.

Which brings me to the main point of why I was writing today, going back to school brings about a certain normalcy in our lives. Yes, I agree, the summer flies by way too fast and we never seem to take full advantage of the time with our kids. But sometimes routine is good. School, homework, sporting events, volunteering -- and that’s what I want to remind everyone about too.

Spend some time helping our schools and community. PTAs, EdUCate!, Centurion Foundation, booster clubs, room parents, classroom and school volunteers -- volunteers are needed everywhere and now is the time to sign-up. Whether your Kindergarten teacher needs you to cut out handprints, or you desire to chair a school auction, help is needed at all levels. Us parents help drive the atmosphere at our local schools, and I am happy to know that our UC schools are privileged to have strong community support. But come on folks...you know it’s the same people all the time, so let’s spread the wealth. Even a couple hours a month, or one shift at an event is welcomed.

Volunteering is satisfying. Why do I volunteer? I’m selfish, volunteering makes me feel good.

And most importantly, a parent is the most important teacher to their child. Be the role model to develop engaged, active adults. They may not appreciate your volunteerism now, but they will eventually get it. It works. I’m proud to boast that my older son has taken his dad’s lead and had volunteered to be the head coach for his younger brother’s basketball team, with quite successful results I might add. (So dads, you have to volunteer too.)

Now, if we can make sure that same son doesn’t forget to leave his keys in his car trunk, like he already did on this first day of school...oh, but I guess that would be normal for him. Hooray for getting back to normal! Goodbye summer, hello volunteer meetings!

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Want to volunteer, but don’t know how. Following are a few helpful links (don’t forget to ask at your school too, and if all else fails, contact me and I’ll put ya to work!):

Curie PTA: http://www.curiepta.org/

Doyle PTA: http://www.doylepta.org/

Spreckels PTA: http://www.sandi.net/Page/33318

Standley PTSA: http://www.standleyptsa.com/

UCHS PTSA: http://uchsptsa.org/

Centurion Foundation: http://www.uc-centurionfoundation.com/

EdUCate!: http://www.uc-educate.org/

UC Cluster: http://www.uccluster.com/