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Volunteering

Volunteering at Marcy Arts Elementary

Ver esta página en español | Daawo boggan Af-Soomaali

"At Marcy, we know that when families and community members get involved, students thrive. At Marcy, teachers, staff, and Family Connections have worked together to identify the areas where volunteers can make the biggest impact." - Trinity Raw, Principal

All new MPS volunteers must:

  • Complete the volunteer application. New volunteer applications will be processed on Mondays.

  • Review the online orientation and agree to the MPS Volunteer Expectations (lee las expectativas en español). Schools may require you to complete a school-specific volunteer orientation.

This page outlines eight key volunteer roles. Each role is designed to be clear, flexible, and welcoming. Whether you have 15 minutes to spare, a free Friday afternoon, or the ability to help from home. By stepping into one of these roles, you’ll free up valuable teacher time, help students feel supported, and keep our school running smoothly.

The eight roles described in the pages that follow are:

  1. Cafeteria Helper – keeping lunchtime safe, smooth, and welcoming
  2. Media Center Support – Check books in/out & fill in when Media Center Specialist is out.
  3. Recess Monitor – Make sure playtime is safe, fun… and no throwing snowballs! 
  4. Friday Folder Stuffer – ensuring important information makes it home each week
  5. Utility Player – jumping in for quick prep projects that lighten teachers’ load
  6. Event Helper – pitching in during school events and celebrations
  7. Pedal Power Support – helping with our signature biking program
  8. Take-Home Tasker – completing prep projects from the comfort of your home

Volunteering at Marcy is for everyone: parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and friends. No experience is required, just a willingness to help and a smile.

Volunteer Roles

Cafeteria Helper

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.

At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be a Cafeteria Helper!”

Purpose:
Support the cafeteria staff and help students have a safe, smooth lunchtime experience.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Assisting younger students in the lunch line with trays, condiments, and containers

  • Helping wipe down and reset tables between lunch periods

  • Being a positive, welcoming presence during a busy part of the day

How to Sign Up:
Cafeteria shifts are available Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Volunteers can cover a full shift or part of a shift. Contact Family Connections to be matched with days that need extra help.

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Media Center Support

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.

At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be Media Center Support!”

Purpose:
Help the Media Center run smoothly by assisting students with library tasks and filling in when the Media Center Specialist is unavailable.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Checking books in and out for students

  • Shelving and organizing returned books

  • Assisting students in finding materials

  • Supporting a calm, welcoming space for reading and research

  • Stepping in to help when the Media Center Specialist is not present

How to Sign Up:
Media Center support shifts are available during the school day, with the most need during classroom library visits. Contact Family Connections to be matched with times that work for your schedule.

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Recess Monitor

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.

At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be a Recess Monitor!”

Purpose:
Help create a safe, fun, and inclusive recess environment for all students.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Supporting staff on the playground

  • Helping kids problem-solve conflicts and practice good sportsmanship

  • Escorting kids to the nurse if needed

  • Leading a game or helping the soccer players if you're up for it!

How to Sign Up:
Recess monitor shifts are typically during midday recess blocks. Family Connections will connect you with the schedule and assign times.

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Friday Folder Stuffer

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.
At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be a Friday Folder Stuffer!”

Purpose:
Make sure all take-home papers, newsletters, and teacher communications are reliably sent home with students each week.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Traveling classroom to classroom on Friday afternoons

  • Collecting teacher communication piles

  • Stuffing each student’s folder (15–30 minutes per classroom)

How to Sign Up:
Teachers opt in weekly for folder support. Family Connections will share which classrooms need help and how many volunteers are available. You can do one class or multiple, depending on your schedule.

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Utility Player

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.

At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be a Utility Player!”

Purpose:
Lighten the load for teachers by completing small but essential prep jobs.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Cutting out materials, sharpening pencils, laminating, or velcroing

  • Hanging student artwork in hallways

  • Tackling other quick prep tasks as needed

How to Sign Up:
Teachers let Family Connections know when they have small prep jobs. A “Utility Player List” is maintained each week so when you arrive, you’ll be directed to a task. Some jobs can be checked out to do at home.

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Event Helper

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.
At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to be an Event Helper!”

Purpose:
Make school events and celebrations run smoothly by adding extra hands where they’re most needed.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Setting up and cleaning up for events

  • Helping with sign-in tables, food service, or activity stations

  • Supporting teachers and staff during performances, celebrations, or family nights

How to Sign Up:
Family Connections will post sign-up opportunities ahead of events. You can choose shifts or roles that fit your schedule. Volunteers are also welcome to email marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com to be put on a list of event helpers, and the school will reach out via email to invite you where event help is needed.

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Pedal Power Support

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.
At the front desk? Just say, “I’m here to support Pedal Power!”

Purpose:
Ensure that every student has the chance to participate safely in our biking program, a signature Marcy tradition.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Riding alongside students during group bike rides

  • Staying with students who aren’t ready to ride yet

  • Helping with bike maintenance or adaptive bike support

How to Sign Up:
Pedal Power runs on Fridays. Sign up for a shift right now. 

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Take-Home Tasker

If you’re interested in this important job, please reach out by responding to this message, calling the school at (612) 668-1020, or emailing marcyfamilyconnections@gmail.com.
At the front desk? Just say, “I’d like to be a Take-Home Tasker!”

Purpose:
Open up volunteering opportunities for those who can’t be at school during the day.

Volunteer Role Includes:

  • Cutting, labeling, or prepping materials at home

  • Returning completed items to the school by the agreed date

  • Supporting teachers with flexible projects that don’t require being onsite

How to Sign Up:
Family Connections keeps a list of at-home prep projects. Volunteers can sign up to “check out” a project and return it once complete. Volunteers can also sign up to be on the list of take-home taskers, and we will reach out as projects become available.

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Volunteer Background Checks

Background checks are required for volunteers who will be working in an unsupervised role with students. School leaders decide which volunteer roles require a background check.

Requesting a Background Check

  • Complete the volunteer background check request form.

  • You will receive an email with a link to complete your background check online within 5 business days. The email will be sent from First Advantage and the subject line will read "kick off your background check".

  • Important: The link will be valid for 48 hours only; if you do not complete the check within 48 hours, you will need to request a new link.

  • The school will notify you of your background check results. Please allow 2–3 weeks to complete the background check process before your volunteering begins. Once cleared, your background check results are valid for two years.


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