Volunteer opportunities available for parents and community members

Sept. 22, 2006—Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s reputation for academic excellence is the result of a collaborative effort involving students, educators, and most importantly, parents and community members.

Community and business partnerships afford the district opportunities that have far-reaching implications.

According to a May 2006 report, community and parent volunteers donated approximately 506,683.29 hours, a value to the district of more than $9,140,559.30 million based on national standards.

While CFISD benefits from an active community possessing diverse talents and skills, the district’s fast-growing student population continues to create new opportunities for business and community involvement. As the third largest district in Texas and the second largest in the Gulf Coast region, CFISD’s enrollment has increased by more than 35,200 students in the past 10 years, an increase equivalent to the size of some school districts. During the next five years, 23,000 new students are projected to enroll in the district, with rapid growth continuing well into the future.

The need for community involvement to ensure the success of CFISD students is clear, and there are many ways for community members to become involved in district schools. Volunteers provide increasingly technical expertise in areas such as computer and science labs, career day programs, fundraising, newsletters, public relations, clerical and instructional support. The expertise of volunteers directly supports the curriculum delivered to students.

Currently, CFISD needs volunteers to work in the following areas:

• MENTORS are needed to work with at-risk students at all grade levels. Often times, 30-minute to one-hour sessions once per week make an invaluable difference in the improvement in attitude, behavior and academics. Mentors are trained by district personnel prior to spending time with students at their schools. Individuals trained as mentors share unique experiences and talents that make a difference in the lives of children.
• TUTORS who work one-on-one with a student or in small groups are needed in the areas of reading, writing composition and mathematics. Like mentors, training is provided prior to an assignment to a school. Tutors must be willing to work with students as assigned and collaborate with the students’ teachers to develop strategies for academic success.
• Opportunities are available for PRESENTERS/ASSISTANTS to serve as classroom speakers, technology assistants in computer labs, nursing assistants during yearly vision and hearing screenings (training is provided), and Junior Achievement & Exchange City facilitators at all grade levels. In addition, volunteers are needed to assist with the Galveston Bay Science Ambassador Program and facilitate presentations and tours at the Science Resource Center.
• The BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP enables businesses to provide incentives and/or rewards to students and/or staff. Contributions are made in a variety of ways, including the adoption of a school or class; funding special district programs and providing employees to serve as mentors, tutors, presenters, etc.

It is impossible to measure the extent to which volunteers, who give freely of their time and resources, impact the lives of children. Based on feedback from those who serve as volunteers, the benefit received from volunteerism is well worth the contribution, with many individuals reporting a sense of self-satisfaction and fulfillment from the experience of helping students succeed.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, call Pam Scott, director of Business Partners and Volunteers in Public Schools, at (281) 894-3950.