Oakland Volunteers In the Public Schools (VIPS)

Thank you for your interest in improving the quality of education for Oakland’s children by becoming one of Oakland’s VIPS - a Volunteer In the Public Schools (and a Very Important Person as well)! The VIPS program offers a variety of volunteer opportunities designed to fit your unique interests, talents and schedule. No experience or degree is necessary. We can place you in a volunteer position at any of the 90 Oakland Public Schools, working with students anywhere from kindergarten to high school seniors.

VIPS offers the following three basic volunteer programs from which you can choose:

• Classroom Tutors: Classroom Tutors have the rewarding opportunity to work closely with Oakland students and make a real impact on their learning experiences. Tutors may help teachers, lab directors, librarians, or other school personnel, in a variety of ways. Tutors will work with students one-on-one or in small groups to complete classwork or projects assigned by the teacher that day. If the Tutor prefers, he or she may assist the teacher with non-instructional duties (e.g. copying, project preparation, etc.) Classroom Tutors must commit to volunteering at a school for at least one hour every week for one entire semester (approximately twenty weeks). Tutors must submit a TB test and complete the VIPS Orientation and Training before being placed at a school.
• Guest Speakers: Teachers enjoy having Guest Speakers come talk to their classes on many different subjects. Guest Speakers and their topics will be listed in a Directory distributed to schools and teachers. Teacher consultants will be available to assist Guest Speakers in crafting their presentations for various age groups. Topics may include academic areas, areas of professional expertise, career guidance, hobbies, travels, etc. Guest Speakers must remain listed in the Directory and available to speak for one school year. School may also ask Guest Speakers to participate in Career Fairs and Job Shadowing Days.
• Special Projects: For those who want to help in Oakland Schools but are not ready for a long-term commitment, VIPS offers numerous Special Projects throughout the school year. Some one-day projects will include Read-To-Me Hours and School Clean-Up Days. Other Special Projects with shorter time commitments include Math Olympics Team Coaches, Early-Morning Activity Leaders, Playground and Sports Coordinators, Junior Achievement Program Leaders, and more! All of these projects have flexible scheduling and require less than six visits to a school. Throughout the year, teachers and volunteers can propose many other Special Projects for which they see a need. VIPS will also assist companies and professional or service organizations in developing annual school programs, competitions, or group volunteer projects.

Volunteer Orientation & Training:

Our Spring Orientation & Training will take place on:
Thursday February 8, 1996
Thursday, February 22, 1996

*Saturday, March 2, 1996 (*different time & location Oakland Technical High School, 9am-1pm 4351 Broadway at 45th Street)

Wednesday, March 20, 1996
Tuesday, April 9, 1996
Tuesday, April 30, 1996
Tuesday, May 14, 1996

Space is limited, so please call the VIPS office at 835-8477 to sign up for one of these dates. If you are unable to attend on any of these dates, please call us to make other arrangements.

We hope this is just the beginning of what will be the most rewarding experience for you and some lucky Oakland Public School students. Whatever time and talent you have to give, will make a difference in a young person's life!
Libby Schaaf, VIPS Program Director

Marcus A. Foster Educational Institute
1203 Preservation Park Way, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 835-VIPS FAX: (510) 835-5706

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