Tag Archives: VIPS

Volunteer to change a child’s life through reading

Looking for a way to help HISD’s students? The district is resuming its popular “Read Houston Read” and “Real Men Read” programs this year. HISD recognizes the need to provide ongoing literacy support to students and is once again asking the community for volunteers to read to children.

Read Houston Read volunteers will work with the same student one hour each week for an entire year, either in person or virtually on the Microsoft TEAMS platform.

Houston Real Men Read is a mentoring program in which men volunteer at least one hour a month to read to students in third grade.

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HISD honors top volunteers at annual VIPS ceremony

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The Houston Independent School District on Thursday recognized the efforts of thousands of volunteers and honored the top volunteers of the year during the annual Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

“We literally could not do this work of educating our children without our volunteers. You are our village,” HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones said.

HISD’s VIPS program was started in 1970 by longtime HISD educator Jean Davis Myers, who passed away in 2015. Myers served as executive director of VIPS for 20 years and under her leadership, the program became an award-winning national model. Since 1991, the Jean Davis Myers Award for Community Service has been presented annually to an individual or group whose program or volunteer efforts have had a positive impact on student achievement. Continue reading →

HISD to honor top volunteers at annual VIPS recognition ceremony 

District designating April 16-20 as Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition Week

The Houston Independent School District on Thursday, April 19 will recognize the efforts of thousands of volunteers and will honor the top volunteers of the year at the Volunteers in Public Schools Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

During the ceremony at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., Houston, 77092), HISD will acknowledge the contributions of the volunteers in four award categories:

  • Jean Davis Myers Volunteer Service Award (the most prestigious award) – Presented to an individual or group whose program or volunteer efforts have had an impact on several schools (at the same time) in HISD and have enhanced the quality of education through volunteering for HISD students for two or more years.
  • Parent Partner of the Year – Recognizes a parent or parent group/program that promotes the active involvement of parents for the improvement of the school or region in a manner that positively impacts student achievement.
  • Youth Volunteer of the Year (K-12) – Recognizes a young person or youth group for outstanding volunteer service in the school(s).
  • Charles Harding VIPS Senior of the Year – Recognizes a senior citizen (55 years or older) who assists schools, teachers and/or students in a manner that positively impacts student success.

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School volunteers must renew registration, screening for new school year

Volunteers from PricewaterhouseCoopers, Target and the Houston Symphony work with students at Benbrook Elementary School during a summer literacy camp sponsored by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation, July 19, 2016.

Volunteers from PricewaterhouseCoopers work with students at Benbrook Elementary School.

A brand-new school year brings multiple opportunities to volunteer at HISD campuses, but whether you’re a veteran HISD volunteer or you’re interested in becoming a new volunteer, your first step is to get clearance through an annual background check.

VIPS-Logo-ColorVolunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) recruits thousands of parents and community partners to donate their time, resources, and knowledge to help HISD children succeed. VIPS opportunities include tutoring on campuses, participating in the district’s Read Houston Read program, chaperoning field trips, fundraising, library assistance, and supporting campus staff.

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Show your appreciation on national ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’

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On Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, people of all ages will take time out of their busy schedules to show their appreciation during national “Thank Your Mentor Day.” The day, which occurs during National Mentoring Month, is reserved for giving thanks to all of the good Samaritans who provide guidance, advice, and encouragement to young people.

Many HISD students, both present and former, have been affected by one special person who gave of their time to improve the lives of others. Whether it was a teacher, principal, parent, or volunteer, if you are a current or former student whose life was changed for the better thanks to a mentor, share your story with us.

Leave a comment below, send us a tweet @HoustonISD, or go to our Facebook page and send a special shout-out to the person who helped shape your life. Use the hashtag #ThankYourMentor.

If you are looking to become a mentor to a student in HISD, please learn more about our Read Houston Read program. As a Read Houston Read volunteer, you can spend one hour a week, in person or online, reading and being read to by a beginning reader. If you are interested in other mentoring opportunities, contact the Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS) department at 713-556-7020.

Policy change may yield more HISD volunteers

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.

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You’ve given thanks, now give back on ‘Giving Tuesday’

Would you like to volunteer for Read Houston Read?

Sign up for Read Houston Read by clicking here. Show your support by downloading the attached badge and add it to your Facebook page or share it on Twitter.

Download Badge (.jpg)

The turkey has been eaten, the pies are gone, and the day set aside for American families to give thanks for the blessings in their lives is over. Now it’s time to give back. “Giving Tuesday” on Dec. 1 is an annual global day for giving back to the community through service, as well as celebrating generosity in all its forms.

The idea is simple: Give of your time and/or your money and inspire others to do the same by telling them about it. Use the hashtag #GivingTuesday on social media to let everyone know how you are helping to make change.

Consider giving to the Houston ISD Foundation to help build a future generation of educated adults who are prepared to serve as tomorrow’s leaders.

HISD’s Read Houston Read volunteer program is another great way to give back to your community. Read to a first-grader and give them a gift that grows exponentially in value — the love of reading. Read Houston Read is part of HISD’s Literacy by 3 movement, which calls for every child to be reading on or above grade level by the time they leave the third grade.

Sign up for up to an hour each week, either in person or virtually, to mentor a child by reading to them and listening to them read aloud. Then use #GivingTuesday on Twitter or download this badge on Facebook to tell everyone about your service.

If you can’t make the weekly commitment, there are plenty of other ways to volunteer in HISD. Register through VIPS and discover campus-based opportunities to get involved.

HISD recognizes 2015’s top volunteers for their ‘Work of Heart’

In a (literally) heart-filled ceremony on Thursday, May 14, HISD honored the district’s top volunteers from the longstanding Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) program. VIPS, which was first launched in 1970, now has more than 30,000 volunteers districtwide who have dedicated countless hours to schools, programs, and events across Houston.

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During the ceremony, awards were presented to four individuals to recognize their outstanding efforts as volunteers in HISD schools.

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HISD recognizes 2014’s top volunteers for ‘helping us grow’

This year’s honorees serve Bellaire, Jones, and four Montessori schools

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Each year, thousands of parents, businesses, and community partners support public education by volunteering their time on HISD campuses or engaging in other activities that contribute to the growth of the district. And every spring, HISD selects the top volunteers from among their ranks. Continue reading →