VIPS Volunteer Orientation
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Transcript of VIPS Volunteer Orientation
Welcome VIPS Volunteers
Matthew Billings
Program Director
Volunteers in Providence Schools
905 Westminster Street
Providence, RI 02903
Ryan Kelly
Outreach Coordinator VISTA
Volunteer Orientation Agenda
Who We Are: VIPS
Policies and Procedures
Success Strategies
Opportunity
Description
MISSION VIPS' mission is to provide Providence public school
students with the educational support services and personalized help they need to grow academically and
socially.
VISIONVIPS' vision is that all Providence public school students
have an equal chance at academic success. We see VIPS as being the provider of superior tutorial and mentoring services, educational resources and individual attention
which truly affect academic outcomes and build skills for the 21st century.
Our Place In The Community
VIPS was founded in 1963 as Lippitt Hill Tutorial, to address the inequalities born out of school desegregation
Oldest and largest academic volunteer program in RIVIPS currently places more than 1,000-1,100 volunteers, who tutor more than 3,000 students
Network of Volunteers
Unique Intervention
VIPS Volunteer Programs
Technology Center
Tutoring/ELL/Engineering
Reading Buddies & Math BuddiesTargeted Intervention
Classroom SupportHelp at the point of learning
Power Lunch!cooperate
partnership
URI Science Saturdaysexploring science
Kid’s BridgeKindergarten transition
Reading & Math Buddies
Research based Literacy Intervention Program.
Once weekly during the school year, for a one year commitment.
Volunteers work with small groups who rotate in and out of a literacy station.
Volunteers participate in ongoing trainings conducted by Providence Literacy Coaches.
Reading & Math Buddies are currently running in 11 schools serving over 600 students
Technology Center
Math and Science based tutoring and academic support.
Monday-Thursday from 3:00PM to 5:30PM.
As little as 1 day a week, to 4 days a week.
Supporting the social and academic needs of high school students, primarily from the “High School Hub” across the street
Engineering and ELL classes
Individual and Small Group Academic Support
Once a week during the school year, for a one year commitment.
Partnering with Literacy Coaches, and Classroom Instructors.
Provide academic support, in a one-on-one or small group setting.
Parents and teachers have noted that students who receive academic support have a higher attendance rate, increased class participation, and more positive attitudes about learning.
VIPS and The Providence Public School Department
Our partnership with the Providence School Department allows VIPS to deliver services to students.
Interconnectivity between volunteers, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, department staff, and VIPS.
We rely on your good judgment and decision making.
What we ask of you is the same as what the school department asks of their employees.
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
33%41%
26% 25%
26%
29%
45%
72%
35%
26% 25%
3%6%
3% 4%
NECAP -2008 ProvidencePercent in Each Performance Level with Bar Set at Proficient
Grade 8
Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4
Reading Writing Math Science
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Policies and Procedures A VIPS volunteer must never be alone with a
student.
Do not contact students outside of school.
Never administer medication, or medical treatment to a student.
Do not give money to a student.
Classroom teachers must be consulted around small school related gifts.
Discipline is always administered by the classroom teacher.
Always follow the rules of the school.
ConfidentialityA strict code of confidentiality is designed to
protect the privacy rights of students and families.
Do not discuss your students with people other than your teachers, or appropriate school staff.
Any concerns with a student’s safety must be reported to the school or VIPS.
If a secret is told to you in confidence, and it is not harming the student, or anyone else, you can keep it a secret. When in doubt ask the teacher or VIPS staff.
Success Strategies
You are in the classroom as a result of a request made by the teacher
The teacher is the lead in the classroom at all times
Follow the teacher’s cues, language and dress Continuity and consistency is key to learning
Exchange contact information with your classroom teacher: Keep the lines of communication open
Establish how you and your student would like to be addressed
Positive Relationships
Share some of your interests
Praise when appropriate
Start each session with a conversation
Relax and be patient
Establish a trust dynamic. Students should be able to ask questions, without feeling “stupid”
Take time to talk, and get to know them
Tell them why you are in their school, and let them know how often you will be seeing them
Show that you are interested, and take the time to listen
Effective Communication Student might be an English
Language Learner
Do not just assume that a student understands, ask follow up questions
Avoid rapid fire questions
Don’t force eye contact
Speak slowly and deliberately
Volume is not comprehension
Take your time: PATIENCE
Stop talking
Focus on the student as they are talking
Let students finish what they are saying
Ask open ended, and follow up questions
Stop yourself from one upping or comparing
Be non-judgmental
Listen with empathy not sympathy
Your First DayArrive Early! Find the front door,
and go to the Main Office
Identify yourself as a VIPS volunteer
Place your Sign In sheet in the VIPS binder
Arriving early might give you a chance to chat with the classroom teacher
Ask the teacher what she/he expects you to accomplish, and what they want you to work on
Ask about classroom materials
Attendance
VIPS volunteers are asked to commit to serving 1 or 2 hours a week, for an entire school year, depending on the program.
Be consistent with your commitment and time.
Call the teacher or school if you are going to be late or absent.
If your classroom teacher is absent, ask if you can still meet with your students.
Signing in/out is critical to the program’s success. It is how we report on hours, students and volunteers
Sign In Sheets are placed in the VIPS binder at the main office of the school
You may also be required to sign in with the school as well, which is separate for signing in with VIPS
What You Can Expect From VIPS
Response to challenges, and check-ins.
Sharing the results of our findings.
Support through out your time at VIPS.
Information about other activities going on within the organization.
Find, Join and Spread VIPS
www.vips4kids.org