The new year is a great time to make a resolution to volunteer with HISD. There are so many opportunities, including classroom assistance at your child’s school, mentoring or tutoring at a neighborhood school, fundraising, reading to a young student, and much more.

Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) recruits thousands of parents and community members to donate their time and resources to increase student achievement across the district.

To become a volunteer, applicants must undergo an annual background check to ensure student safety. In a new policy change, prospective volunteers deemed ineligible after the background check may now appeal. That process involves submitting a form and completing an interview with an HISD administrator committee.

Though no special preparation is needed for this interview, prospective volunteers are welcome to bring any documentation or information that they believe might be helpful for the committee to consider, such as resumes, letters of recommendation or previous volunteer experience.

Interview are being scheduled weekly. For more information on the district’s volunteer program and the appeals process, please visit: www.houstonisd.org/vips