Parents
Time a problem?
There are other ways to give to ICS. You can purchase school supplies, clothes, and other products through our partnering retail organizations, and you can support ICS financially.
Quick ways to give
- Send 50¢ with your child each Friday for Pretzel Day
- Buy Box Tops brand items or buy online through Box Tops
- Shop through our online partners
Volunteering
ICS offers numerous volunteer opportunities, ranging from a few hours to long-term commitments. You can volunteer in the classroom, in the library, for fundraising events, on Board of Trustees committees, and with the PTA—just to name a few opportunities!
Classroom
Teachers need your support in a variety of ways:
- Serve as a Room Parent (grades K-4) or a Grade Parent (grades 5-8). As Room or Grade parents, you’ll reach out to other parents in the class or grade to encourage participation and recruit volunteers as needed throughout the year. You will also spearhead the organizing of classroom or grade-wide celebrations and events in order to build community. If you would like to be a Room or Grade Parent, please contact your child’s classroom or advisory teacher.
- Chaperone a class field trip
- Lead a special project
- Organize Scholastic book sales for your child’s class
Talk with your child’s teacher about how you can help. Please remember that all classroom volunteering projects should be planned in advance with the teacher.
Board of Trustees Committees
The ICS Board of Trustees (BOT) committees each focus on a specific issue related to the school: for example, curriculum, human resources, legal policy. Parents can join any committee where they can lend experience and energy. Contact Megan Steelman to learn more.
PTA
The ICS PTA manages several annual fundraising campaigns where parent support is needed:
- FriendRaiser Carnival
- School picture days
- Scholastic Book Fair
- Annual silent auction to benefit the ICS arts programs
The PTA also coordinates many ongoing activities, such as Pretzel Day and other ad hoc events. Find out more about the PTA. To get involved, email the .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) directly!
Development Office
The Development Office leads many other fundraising initiatives which support and enhance Independence Charter School’s programs and facilities. Volunteer opportunities include assisting with direct fundraising, special events, and marketing/creative services projects. This year we are especially in search of volunteers to help with our ongoing anniversary celebrations.
Time commitments are very flexible.
For more information, please contact Monika Kreidie at 215-238-8000, ext. 2430
or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
When you are volunteering at ICS, please follow our Volunteer Guidelines:
All ICS volunteers will:
1. Report to the front office to sign in and out.
2. Wear a “Volunteer” identification badge while participating in volunteer activities.
3. Turn off or silence cell phones and remove Bluetooth headsets while in the building.
4. Avoid bringing younger siblings without notifying and receiving direct permission from the project manager.
5. Arrive on time and leave as scheduled to avoid confusion or disruption. Notify school staff when a scheduled commitment cannot be kept.
6. Remember that supervising and disciplining students are the responsibility of school staff.
7. Avoid interrupting ongoing instruction. Wait for an appropriate break if you have a question or need more guidance.
8. Understand that volunteer hours cannot be used to discuss spontaneously an individual student’s progress or other personal matters with teachers and staff. Feel free to schedule an appointment that coincides with your volunteer schedule, however.
9. When working in your child’s classroom, treat your child as you would any other child in the class. Too much interaction can be disruptive to your child as well as to his/her classmates.
10. Keep confidential all matters or information concerning students, teachers, or the school.
Volunteers who wish to work with students must submit the following items:
1) FBI Background Check: Visit www.pa.cogentid.com and click “PA Department of Education” for complete information. (The cost is $33.)
2) PA Criminal History Check: Visit http://epatch.state.pa.us and click “Submit a new record check.” (The cost is $10.)
3) PA Child Abuse Clearance: Visit www.dpw.state.pa.us and click “Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance Form” on the right-hand side of the screen. (The cost is $10.)
4) A TB Test with a “negative” result.
