Volunteers Inspire Community Spirit
By imagining our classrooms without volunteers it is easy to acknowledge and appreciate the community spirit that thrives in each of our 33 schools. During the 2008-09 school year 6,972 volunteers contributed 134,587 hours to support instruction.
Parents make up the bulk of the volunteer workforce, with non-parents, high school and college students, senior adults, and business and industry professionals greatly contributing greatly as well. Last year volunteers outnumbered staff at a ratio of more than 2 to 1. This is equivalent to 125 teacher associates, working 6 hours a day!
“Our volunteer workforce is dedicated, enthusiastic, and appreciated!” noted Marcia Hughes, Community Relations Supervisor. “There are many opportunities and new helping hands are always welcome.”
As the school year begins, the District invites new volunteers to join in. There are many ways to volunteer, including opportunities to:
- Help build literacy skills as a weekly Rockin’ Reader volunteer at an elementary school.
- Share a story on America Reads: Reading Is Contagious Day (October 23).
- Mentor a student through the Lunch Buddy program once a week.
- Serve as a resource speaker and share insights about your career, special interest, or family and community history.
- Provide in-class assistance to help students with writing or math skills.
- Add your voice to SPEAK UP!, a public speaking unit for 5th graders.
- Lend a hand with a field trip, special class event, or enrichment project.
- Support activities of student groups in music, athletics, drama, journalism, debate, academic competitions, etc.
- Get your entire business or organization involved as a
School + Community Partner.
To make a difference as a school volunteer, call your neighborhood school or the Community Relations Office at 558-2124 or email volunteer@cr.k12.ia.us.