Governing Board | Celebrating our Volunteers!

For as long as I can remember, our district has been blessed with community members who go above and beyond to help our students get the most out of their time spent in our schools. We have parent-teacher organizations in one form or another in all our schools.  They organize school spirit events and fundraisers not only to bolster their site's resources but also to help forge stronger ties within the neighborhoods.  

As a teacher, the PTA at my school helped me on more than one occasion. For example, students in my class could earn a Pantera Thinking Cap. This was a custom crocheted hat they could wear in class. They picked out one of three styles of caps and the yarn it was to be made of. The reason I was able to have such a wide variety of yarn for them to choose from was because of our parent teacher group. I always had a steady flow of yarn for me to be able to reward my students. They were so good at keeping me supplied that I eventually had to tell them to take a break as I was running out of storage for all the yarn we received. 

We also have folks who help out with Love Your School Day. This annual event, typically held in October or November, involves volunteers showing up on a Saturday to help out with a school improvement project. These are site-based projects that could be anything from planting a garden, to fixing up a playground or even painting a mural.  

Another very special volunteer opportunity we have is our Volunteer in Paradise (VIP) program. This program makes it possible for students to have one-on-one or small group tutoring in math and reading. Volunteers apply for the program and, once approved, start helping students with their studies. In addition, the students experience respectful relationships that align with parents' expectations and foster cultural growth. This program is so effective that it has been given awards. Each year, volunteers in this program are invited to a VIP celebration.  

Besides direct interactions with students, we also utilize volunteers for front office assistance and clerical help. Some people like to participate on a regular basis, and some just for single events, like chaperoning during a field trip. Our volunteer offerings also include coaching.  

All volunteers are vetted. This involves background checks and obtaining a fingerprint card.  It is important that we do all we can to make sure those who work with our students meet our standards for professionalism. I carry my fingerprint clearance card with me wherever I go and am glad to do so.    

It is my hope that our district continues to see this sort of participation going forward. It is a testimony to the confidence our community has in our schools that we can inspire so many to step forward to do their bit for our students. As Ashleigh Brilliant once put it, "The construction of an ideal world has been postponed due to a lack of idealists." The important work of our volunteers ensures that the ideal of healthy and happy learners remains a reality here in Paradise.