News Detail
Joining In: The Unexpected Joys of Showing Up
When my oldest son first started at Lakeview six years ago, I remember feeling overwhelmed at the thought of sending him off to Kindergarten at a place where we essentially knew no one. This was during the middle of the pandemic, so it was an isolating time to begin with, made worse by my fears of the unknown. We had only lived in Gainesville for about four years at that point, so I still felt “new” to the area.
Two weeks into the school year the Room Parent for my son’s class reached out to us all to welcome us, and her words struck a chord in me. She was also new to Gainesville, but had managed to get involved and encouraged us to do so as well. I admit, it took me several months before I gathered my courage to volunteer for my first event at the school…the Lakeview Auction. Throughout the process of planning and executing that event, I made so many new connections - many of which were parents of my son’s friends.
In subsequent years, I have taken on more roles around the campus and have found such a joy in seeing my children’s faces in moments when they don’t know I’m looking. When we decorate the campus for Fall and I watch them walk down the sidewalk to lunch with their friends; when we put up our Fall Festival booths in the gym and they come by to look at them with wonder in their eyes; when we help with Grandparents & Special Friends Day and I watch my boys proudly show off their school to our family. I’ve learned to slow down and try to take in these small moments.
We are fortunate at Lakeview to have a wide array of talented parents willing to donate their time to our students, in so many different ways. The Lakeview Parent Association (LPA) is always grateful for any act of volunteerism, no matter how small or large. As the President of the LPA, I am constantly amazed by the willingness of our parents to donate their time to our many causes throughout the year, which include: Room Parent duties, Campus Decorating Committee, Grandparents & Special Friends Day preparation, Fall Festival, Used Uniform Committee, Auction Committee, Teacher Appreciation Committee, and many more areas. So many in our school community have careers or other obligations that may prevent them from taking on larger roles in our organization, but small acts of service sometimes speak the loudest.
I am thankful I have found this niche and way to give back to our school. I would encourage other parents who have the time, to get involved in some way, no matter how small or large a role it may be. There are numerous opportunities to engage with other parents in the same stage of life and so many potential connections to be made. Even if you are unable to come to campus, there are many other ways to contribute such as planning events, sponsoring meals for our wonderful faculty and staff, or contributing funds to our many events. Lakeview is unique in offering so many wonderful traditions and connections between older and younger students that we as parents can help to foster.
If you are interested in volunteering with the LPA, please email lpa@lakeviewacademy.org
 | Sarah Creel President, Lakeview Parent Association |
Lakeview Academy is a private, coeducational day school for students in preschool through 12th grade, located in Gainesville, GA minutes off I-985/Hwy 365.
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