Looking for resources to support students in your classroom?

You’ve welcomed your students to a new school year, distributed books, reviewed expectations and completed initial assessments to learn exactly where to begin to meet the educational needs of each child. You’ve developed creative, interactive lesson plans that infuse technology and critical thinking to ensure that your students are prepared with 21^st century skills. Clearly, you want every student to be successful and to reach their optimum potential.

Within the first month or two of school, it becomes apparent that some students may be experiencing challenges; whether they are struggling to have their basic physical and emotional needs met or they have deficits academically. Did you know that every school in the division has staff members that can assist you in locating important resources that could make all the difference for students in your classroom?

The Partners in Education (PIE) Coordinator at your school has developed a number of partnerships with local business leaders, faith-based groups, the military and civic organizations that are more than ready to take an active role to support your programs and students. These partners bring a wealth of valuable resources into our schools each year. They share their expertise as guest speakers, serve as tutors and mentors, assist with STEM, sustainability efforts and numerous innovative programs, provide workforce and college readiness skills, volunteer at school events, help with student recognitions and provide financial and material assistance. Community partners are enriching curriculum and extending your capacity to meet the unique needs of your students. How do you tap into these resources?

Meet with your school’s PIE Coordinator and explain your needs. The coordinator will review the partnerships and skills of the organizations that are already established with the school. They may also reach out to the PTA Volunteers in Education Coordinator to match community volunteers’ skills and interests to assist your student(s).  You may consider posting the opportunity on the division’s newest volunteer database where interested volunteers who have the time to dedicate will respond to your request directly to you. Not only will you be offering an opportunity for the community to play an important role in helping to inspire and educate students, but you will be connecting your students with another positive adult role model who will help to convey the value of their education through their commitment and support.

Teachers and staff, you don’t have to go it alone in VBCPS! Education is a team effort and connecting our community and schools to develop well-rounded, well-educated, successful students is a priority.