Schools to Recognize Volunteers at Luncheon

The hundreds of volunteers who give time to Barrington schools will be recognized again on Thursday, May 2.

They have been invited to the annual appreciation luncheon in the Barrington library gallery, said Tracey Orchard, the volunteer coordinator for the schools. The luncheon starts at noon.

The luncheon will include acoustic music and singing by high school performers and brief remarks by Superintendent Michael Messore and School Committee vice-chair Kate Brody, representing the school board.

Orchard, who has been volunteer coordinator for five years, made a brief presentation on the volunteer program to the School Committee last Thursday evening. Between 500 and 550 volunteers continue to fill a host of niches for the schools, she said. 

The volunteers shelve books in the library; lead fitness initiatives, such as Sowams Speedwayy and the mileage clubs; help teachers in the classroom; coordinate arts nights; chaperone field trips, and serve as recess and lunch aides, she said.

Many volunteers also share theirs career with the children during “Lunch & Learn” programrs or “career explorations,” she said. The latter reaches down to the fifth-grade level at Hampden Meadows, where students are asked to begin thinking about what they like to do with the help of volunteers who present certain careers. 

A directory of volunteer resources is yours for the asking from Orchard. You can contact her by email if you are interested in volunteering in the schools: orchardt@bpsmail.org.