Locals Volunteer Time to Better Youth's Education, Schools

The first graders smile widely and send Pat Walton small, sweet waves as she quietly enters the classroom at Northridge Elementary School each Tuesday morning at 8:30 a.m.

While Pat has a busy schedule as an after-school flute teacher and as a member of two flute groups, she feels her life is more meaningful because she takes the time to give back to the Fair Oaks community.

Ms. Stilson, the first grade teacher with whom Pat works, says that Pat, and other volunteers, make a huge difference with the students they help. During Pat’s hour in the class room, she works individually with children who need help with improving their reading skills.

Lucia Hicks, another first grade teacher at Northridge Elementary school, has several volunteers that help her during different days of the week.

Phil Barbera, a retired Electronics Supervisor, is one of those, and he’s helped with Lucia’s students for six years. It is because of his help, and others like him, that Lucia’s class is able to walk to the Fair Oaks Library once a month, and go on several field trips each year. The volunteers help the students realize they matter, and that their education is important enough that people are willing to give of their free time to help them succeed at school.

It is surprising to know we have our first Title One school right here in Fair Oaks, and that school is Northridge Elementary.

Last year, more than 65 percent of the school's student population qualified for federally subsidized meals, and this year the percentage has gone up. The teachers are aware that more and more homes are headed by single and/or unemployed parents. In addition, there is a larger than ever population of English learners at Northridge as more and more of their students come from homes where English isn’t spoken.

Volunteers are needed now more than ever said Northridge Elementary principal, Michele Flagler.

With this year’s state budget cuts, all the class sizes will be going up. Last year, over thirty volunteers came forward after the call went out for help. Members of the local Fair Oaks Rotary Club, The Women’s Thursday Club, church members and local residents now volunteer at Northridge School. The volunteers come from all walks of life and include a retired high school math teacher, a librarian, ER physician, social worker and others. All that is needed is the desire to help a young student. The needs are many and varied, and the hours are flexible. 

Any help you can give will be greatly appreciated. We guarantee that you’ll have fun, and you’ll be making a making a difference, not just in our local community, but you will be benefiting our commnity. Also, you will be richly rewarded, with student “waves”, smiles and hugs. It doesn’t get any better than that.

If you or anyone you know has an hour or more to help out once a week or even once a month, please contact one of the Volunteer Coordinators (Joyce Daniels 990-0546 or Alice Rowe: 967-5082).