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Breakfast Buddies |
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Individuals are needed to assist students who sometimes arrive not quite fully prepared for the day. Volunteers assist with the selection of weather-appropriate clothing, keep students company during breakfast, and help them tidy up before class begins. |
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Career Fairs |
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Fairs illustrating the connection between academic/technical ability and career fields offer students a safe environment for structuring goals. Clarification of the similarities and differences between industries is very useful at all grade levels. |
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Chess Clubs |
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Volunteers are needed to teach chess in the schools and to help run chess clubs for interested students. Individuals may also help chess clubs acquire necessary equipment, provide snacks for weekly meetings, and organize student participation in area tournaments. |
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Classroom Assistants |
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Individuals are always needed to assist teachers in helping the classroom run smoothly. Volunteers may lead small group activities, assist in coordinating large-group efforts, and help students individually as needed. |
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CLOUT Program |
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The Coalition for Learning and United Teachers (CLOUT) is an after-school tutoring program for fourth and fifth graders, sponsored by the US Department of Energy, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, and the Midwest Research Institute. Community volunteers meet weekly with students for a 1-hour periods, helping students reinforce their reading and writing skills. A DPS teacher supervises volunteers at the program's three sites during each session. | Collaborative Decision Making Teams |
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Business representatives are welcomed to assist with management issues as decided and developed by collaborative decision making teams consisting of 4 teachers, 3 parents, 1 business representative, 1 non-teacher staff person, the principal, and student(s) at each of the Denver Public Schools. Team efforts focus on issues including curriculum, staffing, and strategies to enhance student achievement. |
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Community Study Hall Tutoring |
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Evening study setting for students, where homework and special projects are completed with the help of a community volunteer. Student and volunteer meet once a week for 1-1/2 hours to work together one-to-one. A supervising teacher is always on site at each of the 25 geographically diverse sites. |
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Drives for In-Kind Goods |
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Students are in constant need of school supplies, books, clothing, eyeglasses, dental work, sports equipment, etc. All drives for the in-kind donation of goods and services are welcomed. They provide business with a terrific opportunity to pull together for the common good of our students. |
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Employee/Teacher Exchange |
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Trade resources and perspectives for a single day or ongoing timeframe. Both schools and business can benefit greatly in applying expertise to a new work environment. |
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FIRST Robotics
(For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology): |
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FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering. NASA declares this program, “…most effective program we have seen since NASA was established in 1959.” Volunteers are needed to mentor, coach, and help students design, build and test a robot. |
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Food Service Assistants |
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Servers are needed in schools during peak lunch hours to assist with meal service to students. These placements often lead to paid positions. |
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Grant Writing |
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Schools can utilize the skills of good writers to assist in the pursuit of funds for greatly needed programs that enhance education. |
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Mentors |
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Mentors for specific students with similar interests and abilities can propel students and volunteers to new heights of achievement. Tutorial assistance or the offer of friendship can prepare students for success in ongoing and lasting ways. |
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Imagination Destination |
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Challenging problems are presented to teams of students with a timeline for completion. Team coaches are needed in the spring of each year, along with judges for the competitions. Destination Imagination is a greatly energizing experience for all involved. |
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Parents on Patrol (POPS) |
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Parents are needed to keep an eye on activities that occur during school hours in hallways, on playgrounds and in activity areas to assure a smooth and effective day for all. |
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Publishing Centers |
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Elementary schools are in need of a few volunteers weekly to assist students in writing, illustrating, and binding their own books for permanent collection. Time frames are adjustable to suit volunteers. |
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Scholarship Funds/Opportunities |
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The establishment of a scholarship for individual schools or student qualities provides tremendous incentive to students. Parents and students often need assistance in researching scholarship opportunities and qualifications. |
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Science Fairs |
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Students are inspired by adult expertise and imagination in the design and completion of science projects for annual school fairs. Problem solving is always more productive with the help of a friend. |
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Shadowing Programs |
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Opportunities for students to "shadow" or follow community volunteers through a particular activity, day, or project offer tremendous insights to the application of education in the real world. Individual opportunities can be facilitated to meet the specific needs of both students and business. |
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Spanish Language |
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Many classrooms can utilize additional help from volunteers who have Spanish-speaking ability or other language skills. These individuals can assist students with both Spanish and English language learning in the classroom. |
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Speakers Bureau |
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Speakers on various issues are often sought for presentations to students, parents, and staff. Topics include personal interest issues, developmental concerns, career opportunities, motivation, self-esteem, etc. |
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Special Education |
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Individuals are always needed to assist in special education classrooms, both during the school year and over the summer. Students' special education needs may range from physical disabilities such as hearing or sight impairment to emotional and mental disabilities. Volunteers with a particular interest or expertise in working with special ed students are always welcomed. |
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Spellbinders |
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The Denver Spellbinders program works to build community through storytelling in the schools. Spellbinders provide 20-30 minute storytelling sessions in the classroom, sharing fairy tales, folk tales, literary tales, legends, personal experiences, and other stories of interest. Participation in monthly Spellbinders meetings helps volunteers to hone their storytelling skills and maintain connections with other group members. |
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Staff Development |
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The inclusion of Denver Public Schools faculty and staff in existing training seminars offered to employees can greatly enhance the overall school climate through the gain of a new perspective. |
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Student Service Learning |
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Businesses team with students to provide a needed service to the community such as the renovation of a park, neighborhood cleanup, holiday meal serving at homeless shelters, etc. |
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Tutoring |
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Volunteers serve a highly important role in providing one-on-one tutoring for students requiring additional help all subjects. Literacy and math tutoring are especially needed. |
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES