The value of volunteering in schools

I was surprised and dismayed to read Petula Dvorak's Sept. 7 column, "Mom needs a cure for volunteering hangover." As the mother of four children, I have spent countless hours volunteering at preschools and elementary, middle and high schools in a wide variety of roles, and I view that time as among the most rewarding of my parenting years. The teachers I've observed, the children I've worked with, the friendships I've made with teachers and parents, and the connections to my children's schools that I've developed would not have been possible without being involved as a volunteer.

Ms. Dvorak's issue seems not so much to be the quality of her volunteering time but the quantity. Her column -- with descriptions of sleep deprivation and addictive/bingeing behavior, reads like a script from a reality TV show that would be titled "Volunteer Burnout: Extreme Edition." How sad that Ms. Dvorak has been unable to find the right balance between signing up for activities that fit her schedule and saying no to those that overwhelm her.

Moreover, in this era of tight school budgets (which Ms. Dvorak acknowledged), how unfortunate that she would denigrate the classroom helpers and those moms (and dads!) who selflessly devote their limited free time to improving the quality of their children's education and their overall school experience. Not only are volunteers the bedrock of all good schools, but in this time of austerity, they also are a far cry from a bunch of moms seeking a "hobby" -- they're a necessity for our schools' survival.

Rebecca Kahlenberg, Bethesda

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Reading Petula Dvorak's column, I was reminded of what I say to my similarly inclined friends: "No one will ever say, 'You know, you have way too much on your plate. We can't let you volunteer for that.' "

Susan G. Schwartz, Vienna