CFISD VIPS PROGRAM GARNERS STATE RECOGNITION, AWARD

 

The Texas Association of Partners in Education recently presented the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District's Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) Executive Board with an award recognizing the district's VIPS program as the Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership in Texas. In honor of this distinction, the 21 members of the VIPS Executive Board were recognized during the March 7 Board of Trustees meeting.

This award marks yet another highlight in the 15-year history of the district's VIPS program, which has celebrated significant success derivative of dynamic organization and planning. To maintain a well-functioning VIPS program in a district as large as CFISD, training and communication have proven to be an essential element in the support and coordination of volunteer efforts at 56 campuses.

Working with curriculum coordinators, the VIPS Executive Board plans and implements training-workshops designed to provide parents and volunteers with skills that enable them to work with students in an instructional capacity. VIPS board members meet regularly to develop strategies that motivate parent involvement and increase volunteer participation.

"The VIPS Board provides the organizational framework our volunteers must have in order to be an effective and knowledgeable workforce," said Pam Scott, director of CFISD Partners In Education. "By cultivating a strong volunteer base in our schools, the faculty and staff have the time to effectively prepare learning activities and focus on the special needs of all students."

The VIPS program itself has played an important part in the success of CFISD, which has been named the largest "recognized" school district in Texas for three consecutive years while realizing record gains in student enrollment. During the 2000-01 school year, more than 9,300 volunteers provided over 432,000 hours of service valued at an estimated $6.4 million. Additionally, the support and encouragement from volunteers has helped to reduce student drop-out rates and improve attendance district-wide.

"VIPS has truly been a vital part of the academic success achieved in our district," said CFISD Superintendent Rick Berry. "The [volunteers] have made a positive impact on student achievement, and our teachers have greatly benefited from their support as well."

Berry credits the VIPS Executive Board with attracting volunteers by providing them with training that effectively prepares them to serve productively in the classroom. This approach has also helped to increase the number and participation of volunteers- many of whom have chosen to be "global volunteers" that help other students as well as their own.

CAPTION: The CFISD Board of Trustees recently recognized the members of the 2001-02 VIPS Executive Board for having been named as this year's Outstanding Parent Involvement Partnership in Texas. Pictured with their award, from left, are: Margy Bohn, Shiela Haynes, Pam Meerbrey, Cheryl Hultiguist, Robin McGee, Sherri Moravec, Joyce Gent, Lida Woodul, Karen Hazlett, Pam Scott, Margaret Bowker, Clariza Rath, Shelia Cannon, Kim Nash, Linda Young, Jan Needham and Bev Nelson.