We love our volunteers! Parents/guardians and community members volunteering in our schools are vital to student success! Each year hundreds of volunteers share their time and energy to enhance educational opportunities, contributing thousands of hours of service and support for our schools! There are numerous opportunities at each school, ranging from supporting students in the classroom to preparing materials for teachers, to serving on a site team. Additional opportunities for service include working with parent/teacher organizations, advisory committees or booster clubs. 

 

For the 2021-22 school year, volunteers will be allowed on an as-needed basis and upon the approval of the school administrator. We've developed some FAQ's regarding volunteers for this unique school year:

 

Will we be able to have volunteers in the buildings?  We will allow volunteers on a limited basis upon the approval of school administrators.

Will visitors be allowed in the building?  We are not allowing visitors in the buildings. Parents are allowed into the offices to take care of business.

Will volunteers will need to be vaccinated?  Yes. Per OSPI guidelines, most volunteers will need to be vaccinated. 

What types of volunteers are included in this requirement?  Volunteers included in this requirement include those who engage or are reasonably likely to engage in work near others while physically present at a school building or other district facilitated site for longer periods of time. The requirement does not apply to volunteers who are only physically present for short periods of time and any moments of close physical proximity to others on-site is fleeting.

How will we be verifying vaccination status of volunteers? Office professionals at the school will ask to view the vaccination card before they will be allowed to volunteer.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Coordinator at your neighborhood school or the Volunteer Coordinator at the District Office at (360) 709-7007. After you complete the online volunteer application (see link below), Tumwater SD conducts a routine Washington State Patrol background check on all volunteers who work with students. Volunteers must be cleared through the WSP Criminal History program (WATCH).  

 

Value of Volunteering

Both research and common sense tell us that parent and community involvement is critical to student success. Here are some facts that may persuade you to GET INVOLVED!
• The results of school and community collaboration are higher grades and test scores, improved academic achievement, increase in positive attitudes and behaviors, more successful school programs, and more effective schools.
• Any type of parent involvement can improve student achievement!
• Parent involvement is more effective when it encompasses many aspects of a child's education, K-12.
• The benefits of parent and community involvement are not confined to the elementary grades -- strong effects result from continuous involvement through high school.
• Case studies across the nation show that scores on standardized achievement tests increase in proportion to the increase in parent involvement at the school.
• Children have the most to gain when schools involve parents and community members.
• Parent and community involvement is an integral part of school improvement.

To ensure the quality of schools as institutions serving the community, parents and community members must be involved at all levels in the school district.

We LOVE our volunteers.  Thank you for committing your time and talents in support of kids!