There is a specific need for volunteers at four elementary schools.
Barbara Trant is coordinator of Westfield Volunteers in Public Schools.WESTFIELD – The start of a new year brings a request for additional volunteers to assist staff and students through the Westfield Volunteers in Public Schools.
Coordinator Barbara G. Trant said this week that despite a “long list of volunteers” additional help in needed in schools, primarily helping students with reading and staff clerical assistance.
Currently more than 100 volunteers assist in classrooms and school offices each week. But, Trant said requests for assistance are non-stop and she is looking to increase that 100 member pool significantly this year.
To assist in the effort, VIP has scheduled a series of informational and training sessions for persons interested in volunteering in the School Department.
Sessions are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at the School Department offices at 22 Ashley St.; Oct. 20 at 9:30 a.m. at Juniper Park School located at 715 Western Ave. and Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. at North Middle School located off Southampton Road.
“There is a big need for people who can volunteer one or more hours each week in our school buildings,” said Trant.
Currently, she said Abner Gibbs School is looking for help in its learning center with activities for a grade two class. Franklin Avenue School is in need of reading tutors to work with individual students and small groups. That school also needs clerical assistance.
Juniper Park School is also looking for reading tutors for its elementary students. Paper Mill School needs both reading tutors and others to assist in various classroom activities. Door greeters are needed at Southampton Road School.
Trant said days, time and frequency of volunteers is flexible and can be arranged to fit schedules of volunteers.
People interested in volunteering are asked to contact VIP at 572-6345 or by email at vips@schoolsofwestfield.org. to register for information and training sessions.