Volunteering at Booksin

Volunteers are the backbone of BESCA, making numerous programs and events possible throughout the year. We understand that many parents work full-time jobs, but even a small amount of your time makes a difference. Schools thrive when parents are actively involved, creating a stronger, more vibrant community for our children. Your support is crucial in enriching our students' educational experiences and making these activities successful.

We take great pride in being one of the top schools in the San Jose Unified School District for parent involvement and volunteerism. With a variety of volunteer opportunities available, we welcome contributions of any time commitment, whether it's just one hour or several. There are roles suited to every skill level and interest, ensuring that everyone can help make a difference at Booksin. Join us in continuing to build a vibrant and supportive school community!

Before you begin, register as a Volunteer With SJUSD

Not all volunteer positions require district clearance but before you are able to volunteer on campus during school hours, you must register as a volunteer with SJUSD and receive an official email from the district confirming your clearance. This process is the same for the entire district and can take several weeks, especially at the beginning of the school year so please begin the process as early as possible. The new school year application is typically available starting in late summer.

New volunteers register here (scroll down to the Volunteers section). Registering as a new volunteer takes several weeks and involves getting a TB test and being fingerprinted.

Returning volunteers update their clearance annually by completing this online application every new school year. This form should only take a couple minutes unless an updated TB test is required (every 4 years).

Booksin’s Volunteer Opportunities

All our volunteer opportunities are listed on Konstella, where you can find information on specific jobs and time commitment. These opportunities range from major roles like BESCA Board positions or Program Leads to smaller commitments like one-time events requiring just 1-2 hours of your time.

www.Konstella.com

www.Konstella.com

Once logged into Konstella, you can sign up by viewing the committees, reading their descriptions, and clicking "Sign Up." The committee lead will contact you with further instructions. Classroom volunteer positions may also be coordinated by your room parent or teacher, either through Konstella or with traditional paper forms at Back to School Night in mid-August.

Additional volunteer opportunities are added throughout the school year as events are organized. Positions that do not require district clearance will be noted in the descriptions.

Here are some of the types of positions available:

  • There are several 1-2 hr per month volunteer options that allow you to work directly in your child's classroom on a monthly basis. These roles are:

    • Art Docents

    • Library Assistant

    • Cornerstone Readers

    • Garden Docents

    Each classroom also has 1-3 assigned Room Parents who help the teacher plan class parties and celebrations.

    In addition, some of our TK-2 teachers may request parent volunteers to help in the classroom on an ongoing basis several mornings per week to help with groups that rotate through different stations. Typically these positions are once a week or every other week for the duration of the school year. While it is a larger time commitment (2-3 hours/week), it's also a great way to get to know your child's classmates and see what their classroom is like! 

    Your teacher will provide more information on in-class opportunities and how to sign up for any of these positions.

  • We have many volunteer opportunities if you prefer to work behind the scenes. Our programs rely on volunteers to operate. Examples of these types of roles are running copies for your teacher, supporting the art program by helping to restock the art room, organizing the Teacher Treats program, organizing monthly Dining Nights Out, organizing Parent Socials etc.

    Some of these positions are filled in the spring of the previous school year. In the fall, any remaining open roles will be listed in Konstella. Please reach out to the VP of Volunteers if you’re interested in learning more about any of these positions.

  • Our community events such as Movie Nights or Family Fun Night require a significant number of volunteers to run. If you're attending an event, why not spend an hour or two helping out to make sure the event runs smoothly? 

    These positions tend to be one time sign ups without an ongoing commitment. Check Konstella for event committee positions, or watch your feed for event-day sign-up requests.

  • Most of BESCA's programs and events are entirely run by volunteers. If you're seeking a larger volunteer opportunity, consider becoming a Program or Event Lead. Our major school events, like the Walkathon and Family Fun Night, need 1-2 parents to take the lead each year and work with on a team of volunteers to manage different aspects of the event. Ongoing programs such as Art, Garden, and Cornerstone also require annual Program Leads.

  • BESCA is led by a nine-parent Executive Board, all volunteer positions. Serving on the board is a fantastic way to help shape the direction of BESCA's programs. Most board positions require a one-year commitment, while some require a two-year commitment.

    Board elections occur in the spring of the preceding school year. Please contact the VP of Volunteers if you are interested in learning more about a Board position.