Family Services and Involvement Section (FSIS) offers training for two volunteer programs in Fairfax County Public Schools: Volunteers in Action and Phonemic Awareness Training.
Volunteers in Action
The purpose of the Volunteers in Action program is to increase family and community involvement in FCPS schools. Schools, centers, and central offices report that 54,940 volunteers donated 1,121,180 hours of service on average to Fairfax County Public Schools.
A volunteer can be described as "an extra pair of hands, an extra measure of personal warmth, a valuable resource for classroom enrichment, a bridge between the school and community." Volunteers help education reach a more personal level, contributing to a meaningful learning process for more children.
back to top
School Support
Each Fairfax County public school selects a volunteer coordinator who works under the direction of the principal and with the assistance of staff and the PTA/PTSA. The FSIS supports the work of volunteer coordinators by providing:
- Newsletter distributed to volunteer coordinators, principals, and PTA presidents.
- Volunteers in Action Handbook. This reference provides step-by-step guidelines for organizing a successful program.
- Countywide training sessions or on-site assistance on how to be an effective volunteer coordinator, available upon request.
- An annual report highlighting the number of volunteers and hours donated for all FCPS schools and offices.
|
back to top
Recognizing our Volunteers
FSIS coordinates the annual Volunteer Recognition Reception, usually held in the Spring. This event, attended by school board members, principals and other dignitaries, recognizes volunteers chosen by their schools for their outstanding service.
back to top
Questions and Information
For information about volunteering at your child's school, contact your local school. For information about volunteer program support and/or training, contact Robin Hamby (robin.hamby@fcps.edu) at 703-277-2640.
back to top
Phonemic Awareness Training
Fairfax County Public Schools participates in the Virginia Early Intervention Initiative at the kindergarten level. This initiative supports the goal of early identification of students in need of literacy skill intervention, particularly phonemic awareness development. Schools can choose their own implementation plan, which sometimes involves the use of volunteers. FSIS coordinates many aspects of this initiative, including the training of parent volunteers.
back to top
Questions and Information
For more information about phonemic awareness training, contact Susie Johnson at 703-277-2666.
back to top
