Innovative Volunteer Engagement at Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) asks families to serve 20 hours of volunteer time per year using their varied skills and talents.  TRIBES is a process for promoting a safe and caring school environment to improve the school climate, improve student behavior, and increase student success.

Baltimore, MD

Bottom row:  Serena Harris, LaiDonna Bulls (ACT Co-Chair), Michelle Lacroix, Liz Obara (ACT Co-Chair), Christa Makadia, Gillian Zapata

Innovative Volunteer Engagement

Innovative Volunteer Engagement at Patterson Park Public Charter School (PPPCS) asks families to serve 20 hours of volunteer time per year using their varied skills and talents.  On a Gifts and Talents Survey in English or Spanish the school lists many examples of how families might volunteer.  Then, families select or add to the list to tell how they would like to help in  assembling bookshelves, laundering team uniforms, chaperoning field trips, aiding at lunchtime, being a reading buddy or tutor, translating and interpreting, or in other ways.

The survey also asks about occupational or personal affiliations that parents may have that might assist the school with a career day, field trip, funding, or in other ways.  Parents or other family members also record the best times (days/hours) that they can volunteer (e.g., during the school day, after school, weekends, or from home).  Finally, the survey includes a section for parents to indicate “I’d be interested in learning about…” school programs, including back-to-school night, career day, open house, teacher appreciation, and other offerings and events.

PPPCS recognizes volunteers’ contributions in the school’s monthly newsletter. Those who complete the 20-hour commitment are invited to the Volunteer Appreciation breakfast at the end of the year where certificates and thank you gifts are presented by their children.  The school appreciates its families and families know that they are valued by their children, the school, and other families.

Innovative Volunteer Engagement is featured in Promising Partnership Practices 2015.

TRIBES Learning Communities to Improve School Climate and Student Behavior

TRIBES is a process for promoting a safe and caring school environment to improve the school climate, improve student behavior, and increase student success.  TRIBES focuses on the healthy development of every child so that each one has the knowledge, skills, and resiliency to be successful in their challenging community and rapidly changing world.  The step-by-step approach includes four agreements that students and teachers make together: attentive listening, appreciation/no put downs, mutual respect, and the right to participate or take a pass in group activities.

All teachers and administrators were trained in the TRIBES process. During the year, the school and students were guided by the four agreements and lessons on each were taught.  Faculty meetings and PTO meetings integrated TRIBES in how they were run.  A Parent Night shared information and specific experiences with families.  Better than “rules,” the agreements guide everyone about how to interact and “be” with each other.  The ATP reported that relationships among faculty, students, and parents have improved.