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Opportunities Within Individual Schools | Districtwide Opportunities | PTA

Volunteers in RISD make a difference daily. Each year, volunteers share their talents in many ways, from tutoring one child to assisting in decisions that affect all students. The Richardson school district involves parents, community members and business representatives in determining its direction at the district level, in individual schools and in the classroom.

The RISD has a strong commitment to keeping schools safe. Board policy DC (Legal) allows for volunteer background checks.

Opportunities Within Individual Schools

How do I find out about volunteer opportunities?

The volunteer opportunities at each school vary according to the needs of the students. Parents, community members and business representatives are needed to help develop, evaluate, and monitor goals for the year, assist with events, and provide academic support for students. Parents please sign up through the individual school office or campus PTA. Business or community organizations please contact the district community liaison at 469-593-0307 or visit the Partners Program website here.

What are some areas for involvement with individual schools?

• Booster Clubs - Obligations vary according to school and organization supported. However, fundraising and participation at events and trips are usually components.
• Chaperones - Help to ensure student safety at school sponsored events.
• Clerical - Assist office personnel, assist in the clinic, shelve library books, etc.
• Contest Judge - Judge student projects such as Science Fair, Spelling Bee, and Invention Convention.
• Greeter - Welcome visitors, assist with directions and provide visitors with badges.
• Local School Council - Collaborate with school staff to analyze school data and monitor campus goals throughout the year. Meetings are scheduled by the school and require attendance three to four times during the school year.
• Translator - Translate verbal and written communication to parents.
• Tutor - Provide academic help for students weekly in a one-on-one setting or in small student groups.

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Opportunities Districtwide

A variety of districtwide volunteer opportunities for parents, community members and business representatives are available. Parents, business and community volunteers share their perspective on districtwide decisions affecting all students.

What are some areas for involvement districtwide?

• Textbook Adoption Committee - Review and recommend textbooks for adoption.
• District competition judges - Judge student activities such as Mock Trial, Academic Decathalon, etc.
• Budget Review Teams - Review district budget and provide suggestions to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
• Calendar Elector Committee - Provides suggestions on school calendar options.
• Special Project Committees - Designated by the superintendent to address specific issues.

RISD has a strong commitment to the welfare and safety of students, staff and visitors at each campus.  In order to advance this commitment, the Board of Trustees has adopted policies, DC (Legal), to ensure that prospective volunteers meet certain minimal qualifications.  Under these policies, all persons who wish to volunteer in RISD in any capacity must complete a one-page application authorizing the District to obtain criminal background information.  The District obtains this information through the Safe Schools Project and Education Background Checks, Inc. (ECBI).  For parents, the volunteer applications can be found at all school campus locations. For business or community organization applications please contact the district community liaison at 469-593-0307 or celina.cardenas@risd.org.

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PTA Opportunities

What is PTA and do I get involved?

PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is a strong RISD partner providing leadership in individual schools and at the district level. PTA membership is open to all parents as well as community members. To become a PTA member, contact your local school office.

PTA membership is made available to parents at the beginning of each school year and as new students enroll. Each PTA creates a volunteer list based on the needs of the school.

What are some PTA volunteer opportunities?

• Book Fair - Fundraiser to support PTA scholarships. Volunteers collect and sort donated used books for sale.
• Clothes Closet
• Contest Judges - Judge student projects such as Cultural Arts contest, etc.
• Council of PTAs - Governing body of the RISD Parent Teacher Association. Membership includes PTA presidents from each school, elected council members, school principals and appointed council delegates from each school.
• Room Parent - Hosts classroom celebrations, assist with classroom activities as requested by the teacher.
• Supply Sales
• Student Safety and Health
• Additional activities as determined by each local PTA.

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