VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

South Loop Elementary School is successful due to the strong involvement and dedication of our families, faculty, staff, and students. We are committed to the development and education of our children and are excited for you to join in on the journey!

Below is a list of SLES volunteer opportunities, expectations, and contacts. Reach out to contacts directly or fill out our volunteer form to become involved today.

*CPS Volunteer Requirements*

Annual Fundraisers

Boosterthon Fun Run

Work with the Boosterthon organization on the Fun Run fundraiser to help continue one of the most profitable fundraisers for South Loop Elementary School.

Need: Committee members are the liaisons for the school with Boosterthon.

Timing: January or February

Contact: FFSLES Board

Fall Fundraiser

This casual fundraiser kicks off the school year at a local restaurant and provides attendees time to network, while enjoying food and silent auction items.

Need: Committee arranges event logistics, communication, and donations.

Timing: October

Contacts: 
General: FFSLES Board

Spring Benefit

Celebrate the end of the school year with the annual gala featuring food and beverage, dancing, silent auction items, and so much more!

Needs: Committee arranges event logistics, communication, and auction items.

Timing: April or May

Contacts:
Event Leads: Kelly DeShepper and Courtney Boerema
Donations: Need Chair
Event Communications: Need Chair
Committee: Jennifer Geiger, Piya Gandhi, Janean Kwan, June Hou
General: FFSLES Board

Family & Community Events

Family Involvement Group

The Family Involvement Group oversees the Family & Community Events for the school and helps to ensure volunteer needs are met for school initiatives.

If interested in joining, please complete this application.

Contact(s): FIG Lead Jennifer Majerus 
Committee: Sweety Agrawal, Tracy Carlson, Tracy Colwell 

Around The World

This event features and celebrates different cultures and cuisines from around the world.

Need: Committee arranges logistics, communication, and volunteers to represent each culture.

Timing: Spring

Contact(s): Abby Dryer, Jaclyn Stuard, and Lisa Marshall

Dance with Your Daughter

Annual Daddy-Daughter dance for fathers/guardians to enjoy quality time together.

Need: Committee arranges logistics and communication for the evening.

Timing: Spring

Contact: Urakay Juett and Lauren Janicki

Fitness, Hoops, and More Night

Event for all SLES students to come participate in a night of sports and learning about fitness. Done in partnership with different fitness and sport companies throughout the area.

Need: Committee arranges logistics and communication for the evening.

Timing: Fall

Contact(s): Betsy Balgooyen (lead), Haytham Abuzayd, Keith Charles, and Niana Faison

Green Initiatives

Clean & Green:
Organize Clean & Green events in support of the school and community. Volunteers improve landscaping and maintenance of school grounds.

Need: Committee arranges dates and green initiatives in the Fall and Spring.

Timing: Fall and Spring

Contact(s): Nardos Gemechu and Steve Caliendo

K-3 New Family Welcome Picnic

The Welcome Picnic for Grades K-3 provides parents and students new to the school a chance to meet each other and ask questions of current SLES parents.

Need: Manage the list-serve, parent Q&A, and picnic logistics.

Timing: August

Contact: Tracy Colwell

Sports with Your Son Night

Evening of fun competition between groups of moms/guardians and sons.

Need: Committee arranges logistics and communication for the evening.

Timing: Spring

Contacts:  TBD

SCHOOLWIDE EVENTS

Back to School Picnic

Annual picnic at SLES Primary Building on the playground (or gym if inclement weather) for families to celebrate the start of the new school year, sign up for volunteer opportunities, and purchase Resale Uniforms.

Need: Committee arranges logistics and communication for the event.

Timing: September

Contact:  Tina Berry

End of School Carnival

Carnival for the school to celebrate students hard work and a year of achieving our values of Lion PRIDE and the South Loop Way.

Need: Committee arranges logistics and communication for the event.

Timing: June

Contact: Tina Berry

Scholastic Book Fair

Great opportunity to get books into the hands of our children.

Need: Organize volunteers for set-up, staffing, and breakdown of school book fairs.

Timing: Fall and Spring

Contacts:
Anna Beaser (Middle School Building)
Laura Evans (Primary Building) 

Winter Dance

Winter Dance for students at the Main Building (Please note: The dance only takes place at the Main Building).

Need: Organize volunteers for set-up, decorating, snacks, staffing, and breakdown of the winter dance.

Timing: Winter

Contacts: 
Grades 2nd-6th: Jemia Cunningham-Elder

Grades 7th-8th:
Principal Shelton

SCHOOL PROGRAM NEEDS

Box Tops for Education

Help raise funds for the school through the Box Tops for Education initiative.

Need: Communicate goals and deadlines; manage collection and shipping.

Timing: Fall and Spring

Contacts: Lisa Taylor 

Uniform Resale

Help raise funds for the school through our SLES Uniform Resale.

Need: Collect gently used uniform items; sort and organize for resale.

Timing: Periodically throughout the year

Contact(s): June Hou

Lost & Found

Need: Coordinate monthly sorting and claiming of students’ lost items, distributing unclaimed items to charitable organizations.  

Timing: Periodically throughout the year

Contact: Lisa Taylor

Lunch Cafe Crew

Need: Assist students in navigating the lunch line and opening containers for grades K-1.

Contact: Managed by Room Parents (K-1)

Principal Appreciation

Need: Gather donations from school body for Principals and Administration during their appreciation day.

Timing: Fall

Contact: Room Parent Coordinator

Safety Patrol Point Person

Safety Patrol Coordinators ensure there are enough volunteers throughout the month to streamline student drop-off and pick-up. Onsite volunteers are important as they open car doors, usher students, and direct traffic flow.

Need: Volunteers for Safety Patrol in the mornings at each location.

Contact(s):
Jenn Majerus (Primary Building)
Tracy Colwell (Middle School Building)

School Tour

These are currently only available in a virtual setting due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Need:
Support onsite faculty-led tours of the school buildings for prospective parents and students.

Timing: Monthly throughout the school year

Contact(s):
Tracy Carlson (Primary Building)
Saadia Siddique (Middle School Building)

Teacher Appreciation Week

Need: Organize volunteers to create cards and small tokens of thanks to teachers and administration during their respective appreciation weeks.

Timing: Spring

Contact: Tracy Colwell (lead), Reemaa, and Pavi

Volunteer Coordinator

Need: Review submitted forms and answer questions from potential volunteers so they may become involved in one of our school’s committees and groups.

Timing: Throughout the year

Contact: Tracy Carlson

Website Support

Need: Support SLES website needs by keeping the school information and calendar details updated.

Timing: Throughout the year

Contact: Laarni Livings
Committee: Tracy Carlson, Stephanie McAndrew, Jennifer Majerus

CLASSROOM NEEDS

Ad-Hoc Requests

Need: Throughout the year, room parents will reach out for help with classroom field trips, secret reader, career day presentations, class festivals, etc.

Contact: Room Parent

Room Parent Coordinator

Need: Serve as a liaison for the teacher and parents — disseminate classroom information, support classroom festivities, and encourage classroom involvement and volunteer opportunities.

Contact(s): Erika Berkey