Options is a community of families who have chosen a program where parents are partners in their children’s education. Our program goal is for each adult to contribute at least one hour of program support a week. Parent involvement is essential in providing experiential learning, field trips, enrichment activities, fundraising, school governance, and social events.

IN THE CLASSROOM
A cooperative relationship of teacher, child, and family is the foundation of learning for students in the Options Program. To support learning, the emphasis of parent involvement is working in the classroom. Parent and community volunteers directly support the efforts of teachers and student learning. You can volunteer on a weekly or regular basis for a half-day, or if it works better for you, for specific support during a week (e.g., math, reading, or phys ed). Supporting the classroom includes organizing field trips, writing the class newsletter, helping with class projects, finding class resources, and more. Much of this can be accomplished outside of school or evenings or weekends, if your schedule won’t allow you time during the week. Those who have been in the classroom know just what a gift parent help in the classroom can be to students. More adults in the classroom effectively reduces class size by facilitating small-group, hands-on and individualized learning. There are other gifts, too, equally as valuable but not always immediately recognized. The more parents participate in the classroom, the more familiar they become with all of the students. Students develop a rapport and learn to trust these adults. They learn very early on that adults other than their parents or teachers take an interest in them, their learning and their lives. Parents benefit enormously, too, by observing teachers’ motivational, management, conflict resolution, and community-building strategies and expertise.

CLASSROOM REPRESENTATIVES
We have three classroom representative positions that are ideal for people who cannot volunteer in the classroom during the daytime hours. The Options Community Council Class Rep, Class Garden Rep and Class Fundraising (Auction) Rep  are all important links from the classroom to the Lincoln community. A list of outlining the duties of each position can be downloaded here.

THE LIBRARY
The Lincoln Library relies on volunteers to manage the collection, give clerical support and sort books for the Used Book and Toy Sale. Come in and give us a hand. Even 10 minute jobs help greatly!

OPTIONS COMMUNITY COUNCIL
The Options Community Council is the governing body of the Options Program at Lincoln School. Positions for council open every year in May. A list of council positions and their job descriptions are listed on pages 12-19 of the Options Handbook. Click here for more information.

COMMITTEES
Work behind the scenes to make Lincoln Options happen! Click here to view the committee list and descriptions.

WORK GROUPS
Develop and carry on those programs that make Lincoln Options special. Click here to view the list of current work groups.

CAMP THUNDERBIRD
The tradition of heading out for a June day in the outdoors, learning, creating, and reinforcing community ties has been part of the Options Program for over 20 years. We are looking for 1-2 parents to join us in the overall organizing of Camp Thunderbird. We also have a need for the following “coordinators” during the Camp T experience:

• Potluck Set-up Coordinators – We need one “head” Potluck set-up coordinator, to coordinate set-up of the all school potluck.  You’ll be working with volunteers who’ve said they’ll help in this piece, and coordinating with the Potluck Clean-up Coordinator to be sure things flow smoothly
• Recycling Coordinator – We need someone to coordinate recycling during camp, and at the potluck, as well as to coordinate transporting food waste to be composted at Lincoln.
• Saturday Morning Cleanup Coordinator – We need two people to
• co-lead the clean up crew on Saturday morning; You will help ensure that everyone camping leaves by 11am , with Camp T cleaner than we found it!
• Saturday Morning Cabin Cleanup Coordinator – We need one person to oversee clean up of the cabins, and ensure that folks who stayed in cabins left them cleaner than we found them. This person actually checks-out keys to the cabins at the end of the camp day (around 5pm), and then verifies that cabins are clean before folks leave in the morning.

EARLY RELEASE PROGRAM VOLUNTEERS
The instructors for our Early Release Program (ER) are parents and professionals from our community who are willing to share their talents with the kids. We are always looking for volunteers to add to the diversity of ER's classes. What's your thing? Soccer, music, computers, collage, Spanish, magic, cuisine, Kung Fu, theater, beading, drumming, basketball, dance, knitting...you get the idea! Whether you're interested in teaching just once, or on a regular schedule, please lend a hand if you can. Not only is it fun, it's another terrific way to support our teachers as they support our children! If you have an interest in leading a class, ideas for an activity, or any general questions please contact Lincoln at (360) 596-6400.

PLEASE NOTE:  Our hope is that you find a volunteer position at Lincoln that is a good fit for you and that you enjoy. If you are undecided, the areas where more volunteers are always needed are:  In the Classroom, Fundraising Committee (Auction help specifically), Parent Partnership Committtee and the Garden Work Group.