Newtown Elementary benefits from the assistance of a great many volunteers.  Family members, friends, former students and their families, retired teachers, and members of the community help our staff and students in a variety of ways.  Volunteers make a valuable contribution to our school, both enhancing our academic programs and making a positive impact on our school spirit.  While some of our volunteers assist the school regularly, other contribute their time occasionally.  All volunteer help is greatly appreciated.  Upon arrival to school, volunteers are asked to check in at the office and to wear a "Newtown Elementary School Volunteer" badge.

In September, a general memo is sent out, requesting volunteer help.  Volunteers are needed in the following areas:

• The Learning Resources teacher requires assistance with a number of tasks.  Volunteers operate on a schedule to do a variety of things.  Helping students sign out books, checking in and shelving returned books and magazines, and maintaining order with the print materials are some of the ways in which Learning Resources volunteers make a difference.  Once a year, a volunteer recruits and coordinates other volunteers to help with the Book Fair, a fundraiser for materials for the Learning Resource Centre.

• Staff members rely on a team of volunteers who do photocopying, laminating, and other tasks.  A parent volunteer coordinates helpers for this.

• A number of committees are organized by the School Council who send out requests throughout the year for help with specific activities such as Spirit Day.

• Classroom teachers occasionally send home requests for volunteers for special projects or outings.

• Coaches for a variety of sports provide assistance to our physical education teacher who may be contacted through the office by those interested in activities such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

Many of our students volunteer their time throughout the school day as prefects helping our students in the primary grades.  As well, each day a number of our older students who have been trained to work as peer mediators work with others.  Our grade five students take turns helping with the recycling program.  A number of students also assist in distributing lunches from our canteen and help in the office with a variety of tasks and errands.

Special recognition is given to our student volunteers at various times during the year.  On Spirit Day, our adult volunteers are invited to drop into our "Volunteer Cafe" for refreshments.