It seems these days that everybody is busy. Some parents just don’t have the time to put into a child’s extracurricular activity.

   “Some parents cannot make the meetings but are very willing to help when called upon. Most parents just don’t seem to want to get involved, especially at high school level,” said Gifted & Talented Coordinator Carcille Burchette. “They are tired and think their students don’t want them to participate and they are busy themselves.”

   She is also coordinator of the Academic Boosters Club, the parent-teacher organization at CHS. Membership has been falling in recent years and the lack of funds and parents makes it harder for the organization to honor students for their academic achievements, its main purpose.
   However there are still many parents out there who love participating in the children’s activities.

   “I loved being involved in all of Erica’s and Heidi’s school activities. It’s a privilege, it is fun, and social,” said Site Based Council member and drama parent Julie Clark.

   Some parent’s are still willing to take time out of their lives to get involved.

   “I take time out of my schedule to help theatre because I try to be supportive of the activities my children are involved in,” said parent Sheila Baylor. “It is also an excellent program with a group of hardworking, talented young people who deserve the limited support I could give them.”

   The theatre isn’t the only program with parent volunteers.

   “We have had several parents offer to help this year. The help they give are in things like: putting together gift bags for trips, fixing food for away games, and volunteering to help in the concession stand,” said softball coach Chris Hart.

   It really helps the directors, coaches, and people in charge of the activities to have more time to spend on the children when parents volunteer.

   “To have parents help with the little extra time consuming items frees up the coach to spend more time coaching and less time doing things that don’t really contribute to the game itself. Our parent volunteers are up this year from previous years and I am thankful for the parents we have,” said coach Hart.

   Parents that take time to help various programs benefit on many levels themselves.