6. Volunteer in the nurse’s office. You don’t need a medical background for this one. Depending on school funding, schools may or may not have their own school nurse. If they don’t, they just need an adult to help the students call their parents and wait with them if they get an early dismissal.

7. Sell tickets at games.

8. Sell concessions at school events.

Secure Your Position

Once on school grounds, be certain to respect bells and schedules. The structure has been set to get the education mandate accomplished. The bells are more important than the extra minute talking with your youth. Although, which student wouldn’t love any quasi-excuse to be tardy to class?

Security is an issue in these post-Columbine days. Most schools lock all the outside doors except the main door during school hours. When visiting your school, graciously use this door and get to know the security staff (whether hired security guards or teachers on duty) so they know you.

IDs are required for everyone in most school districts. My school has a license-scanning machine that detects if the visitor is on the sexual offender’s list. If the person is on the list, the machine (not a human) automatically notifies the principal and the police. Other school districts have implemented iris-scan systems for those who have the responsibility to pick up children. School busses now come equipped with GPS systems and cameras. So, proudly wear your dorky visitor’s pass; it’s your access.

Security measures are not the only change on school campuses since you were a student. New technologies, the push for school choice, security issues and several innovative education ideas are all being incorporated to meet the education agenda. While security cameras and metal detectors are not new, Webcams in the classroom are. This allows the school and parents to check on children throughout the day. Teachers also are finding creative way to use Webcams with assignments, such as focusing them on science projects so students can log in on weekends and visually check how their projects are progressing. You can, too. How blessed would a student feel knowing you also know the status of his or her science project?

The Student Has Left the Building

What about the “tribe” that does not gather in a school building? As of 2006, there were one million students neither receiving their education in a traditional classrom nor being homeschooled. They’re getting their public education online. How will not having students in school buildings during school hours affect your youth ministry plans?

Online learning is not just for the school year. Many courses are offered throughout the summer. Some students are taking year-round school by their own choice, which also will affect your summer youth ministry plans.

In my school system, fifth- and eighth-graders can choose to go to a neighborhood school or attend a different school that offers a specialty program. This means most of my students do not go to their feeder school; even siblings may attend different schools. Middle-school friendships almost certainly break up due to being in different schools. Most have longer bus rides; their specialized programs have more homework requirements; and high-school sports rivalries are becoming historic memories.