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School Relations

Choosing a School

Be curious and be available.

In every town, city, and community, there are varying needs across the school district. Some schools objectively have more children reading below grade level than others.

Be responsive to learning about your community’s unique needs.
Keep an open mind. Your ultimate school partner may not be the school you would have initially chosen.
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Locate a local literacy organization that places volunteers in schools.
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Most communities have pre-existing organizations that have already done most of the hard work to make the volunteering process straightforward, easy, and relatively quick to onboard.

As an extra bonus, these organizations already:

have established systems to work smoothly with government and local leaders.
have relationships with the schools and know where the greatest needs exist.
know how to communicate with schools and maximize your experience.
have a system to orchestrate background checks and other administrative tasks.
have already funded staff to help communicate and oversee your volunteer experience.

Collaborate regarding your volunteering goals.

Let them know:

you want to do literacy mentoring.
if you are hoping for a school close to your church or business OR if you are willing to travel to the school with the greatest need.
the number of volunteers you hope to recruit and how that number might increase over time.
if you are open to sending volunteers to multiple sites.
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If no Literacy Organization exists

If no Literacy Organization exists, your path is a little more administratively intensive but will also offer a unique opportunity to invest in your mentoring partnership.

Research to find a nearby school with literacy needs.
Set up an appointment with the school’s volunteer coordinator (they may be the Vice Principal or another administrative staff member).
Communicate your desires and willingness to serve, including your hopes (like in #3 above) and your flexibility to serve as needed.
Learn the school’s pathway for onboarding volunteers.

Send your people.

Note: Learn about a DYI reading program HERE.