Lara Cooper/Daily NewsLisa Ray (from left) signs out from a meeting Thursday with help from parent volunteer Shelly Dillard and Parent Involvement Coordinator Teresa Sneed at the new visitor check-in table in the lobby of Bowling Green Junior High School.

With a smile, Cindy Bear placed her purple iridescent nails on the purple-covered table that sits at the side of Bowling Green Junior High School’s front entrance.

&#8220Welcome to Bowling Green Junior High School,” she said. &#8220How may I help you?”

That has become a staple greeting at the junior high since Jan. 2, when volunteers manning a help desk began greeting students, parents and other visitors at the door.

&#8220I love it,” said Bear, who mans the desk every Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. &#8220I think it’s great. It gives me a chance to be involved in my daughter’s school and to meet other parents. My daughter was so excited. She comes and introduces me to all her friends, and she’s just happy to see me every day.”

The help desk, which is filled with information and the school’s newsletter, functions much like a checkpoint. The volunteers have visitors sign in and collect a visitor’s badge, and often help open the front door, which sometimes gets stuck.

&#8220Having this is a big help,” Bear said. &#8220And it gives us parents a way to be more involved in the school.”

The idea for a help desk came after Teresa Sneed, parent involvement coordinator for the school system, and Vicki Writsel, associate superintendent for learning programs, went to training in a school district that had one. After watching the help desk in motion, Sneed said it was decided to implement one at the junior high.

&#8220We felt that here with the number of students we have, it was good to have an extra pair of eyes on the floor,” Sneed said. &#8220We’re creating a more friendly, safe environment.”

Sneed said there are about 20 slots for parent volunteers filled, and all have passed required criminal background checks and have been trained on procedures and rules.

&#8220We have some that work every day, once a month or twice a week,” she said. &#8220We wanted to provide volunteer opportunities for parents. And it’s a way for them to have a presence in the school without being directly in their child’s classroom.

&#8220And the students are excited to see their parent up front.”

Sneed said there were a few new families that enrolled their children after the winter break, and the help desk was instrumental in making those families feel comfortable.

&#8220It’s a great help,” said Sharon Payne, the school’s secretary. &#8220It provides a more secure environment. I feel more safe during the day. Before, we couldn’t always see who was walking into the building. But now they’re seen and pointed in the right direction.”

Sneed hopes to expand the help desks into the elementary schools, but that will be up to individual principals.

By 10 a.m., Bear was heading out as her shift had ended, and Jill England was promptly taking her place in Bear’s chair.

&#8220It was busy at first, but it’s not overwhelming and it’s fun,” said England, who began volunteering on Jan. 5. &#8220I like to be involved in my child’s school, and I’ve seen how busy the office can get. So this takes some of that busyness out of the office, and it provides an extra layer of safety.

&#8220And I’m enjoying myself.”