They are busy in our school libraries, classrooms, cafeterias and concession stands.
They assist with academics, athletics, activities and the arts.
They offer their expertise in science, math, fine arts and fitness.
They read with students.
They eat with students.
They tutor. They listen.
They lend a hand.
They are the volunteers of Virginia Beach City Public Schools (VBCPS).
It is estimated that last school year, more than 22,000 volunteers and partners in education donated over 690,000 hours of service to VBCPS. Their work continues today.
Volunteers from across Hampton Roads – parents, grandparents, community members, business owners, retirees, full-time employees, military personnel and more – are generously donating their time to support our schools.
Most prefer to stay out of the spotlight and work behind the scenes, but National Volunteer Month is the perfect time to highlight the volunteer service that benefits VBCPS students and staff throughout the year.
Volunteers like grandfather David Kern are new school volunteers. Kern has proven to be invaluable in Malibu Elementary School’s library and helps with nearly every school event. He reportedly saved the school’s first Bingo event by obliging to announce when the Bingo caller canceled at the last minute.
“Tireless” is how Landstown High School parent Lisa Nady is described in her efforts to coordinate fundraising activities for student scholarships and planning school athletic banquets.
Though retiree Becky Thomas does not have children or grandchildren in the division, she volunteers at Parkway Elementary School each week to help lighten the load for staff. Thomas can be found in the main office, library, literacy lab, guidance office or anywhere else assistance is needed.
Simon Family Jewish Community Center members volunteer together to support students at Newtown Elementary School. They participate in the school’s Be A Reader (B.E.A.R) Program to enhance second-grade students’ reading skills and serve as mentors for the young learners.
And Alanton Elementary School students and families frequently see soldiers from Fort Story’s 11th Transportation Battalion – 119th ITC Company at the school to help with events such as the One Mile Fun Run, Halloween Monster Mash, Santa’s Workshop and Breakfast, and Family Dinner Night and Book Fair. After serving their country in a deployment to the Far East, they will continue their volunteer service to Alanton students as mentors, reading buddies, lunch buddies and partners in learning.
These are only five examples of how volunteers are making a difference for VBCPS students and staff. The Core will feature more stories about the Volunteers of VBCPS throughout the month of April, so visit the blog weekly to read about their valuable service.
If their efforts inspire you to want to get involved, visit the division’s Get Connected page at vbschools.com/getconnected to find volunteer opportunities available in VBCPS schools and register your interest online. You can also visit the Volunteers in Education page to learn more and view videos highlighting the service of VBCPS volunteers.
I’m a volunteer at the tech center and i love it because its such a learning experience and a friendly atmosphere