VIPS are V.I.P.s

Roughly 100 people sat through a district Volunteers in Public Schools orientation Wednesday morning at Ector Junior High.

"I can't tell you how much we appreciate your work as volunteers," communications director Mike Adkins told them. He added that volunteers are part of the district's maximizing of resources and teacher efforts.

Community liaison specialist Debbie Rogers told the new volunteers they really help the district in different ways.

"It's about using individual talents to help students - building connections," Rogers said.

Just a few ways volunteers can help schools include helping in the classroom, the library or working with coaches on the field by tending to student needs. She cited how one student's reading level jumped from below to above grade level after a VIPS volunteer listened to the child read twice a week. Rogers said the district hopes to extend the impact of VIPS to the home by getting parents more involved in their child's schooling.

"You're the expert on your children, so your job shouldn't be finished when you enroll your child in school," Rogers said.

The VIPS program started in 1982 at Dowling Elementary and Nimitz Junior High and has since spread to all campuses. Last year, 510 people volunteered in ECISD schools.

While volunteers can help by making copies, helping teachers work with students or grading papers, there are some limitations on responsibilities: VIPS can't talk to parents, provide initial teaching or discipline students.

After the district orientation, volunteers will also have a campus orientation and classroom meeting to familiarize them with how to work at their assigned school.

Volunteer Regi Mathews said he is excited about the opportunity to work in ECISD for the first time.

"I want to help my son and other students as well," Mathews said.