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Volunteers Wrap Up Year with Bash

April 26, 2012 ~ YouthFriend and Seniors Serving Schools volunteers were the guests of honor at the annual volunteer bash, and they had a lot to celebrate this spring.

The three program coordinators for Seniors Serving Schools, a program for senior adults to share their experiences and unique gifts in the schools, are proud of many significant feats in the past year:

  • 150 senior adults attended orientation last fall.
  • More than 11,000 volunteer hours had been reported from August 2011 through March.
  • Six computer classes were offered to senior volunteers this year, and each class had 15 to 20 attendees.
  • A record number of volunteers participated in the Script Pal (pen pal) program this year. This year's group exchanged letters with fourth-graders at Washington Elementary School as a way to help the students improve their penmanship.
  • Senior volunteers assist staff and students in all elementary schools and eight of the nine middle schools. They also work with support staff in administrative buildings.
  • The program is gearing up for a big 20th anniversary celebration next spring.

YouthFriend volunteers, adults of all ages who serve as positive role models for students ages 5 to 18 by spending approximately one hour per week with the students, also celebrated another successful year. Highlights of the program include:

  • YouthFriends has a record number of volunteers this year, with more than 207 active mentors. They have generously served students by providing more than 11,150 volunteer hours from August through March this school year.
  • Olathe's YouthFriends have connected with more than 3,000 students this school year.Olathe's school-based mentoring program continues to grow with participation from business, civic and faith partners. The most common volunteer commitment was as a lunch buddy or homework helper.
  • Olathe's 21st Century High School Programs are served by career mentors connecting to students' academic and workplace exploration interests.

More information about these volunteer opportunities is available in the Community section of the district's website or by calling (913) 780-7002.

Arbor Creek Special Chorus Arbor Creek Elementary’s Special Chorus performed several songs for the volunteers.
Lenore Kneebone and Heather Schoonover Senior volunteer Lenore Kneebone gets a hug from Community Liaison Heather Schoonover, who oversees the district’s volunteer programs.
Alison Banikowski and Toni Miller Deputy Superintendent Alison Banikowski shares her thanks with volunteer Toni Miller before the program begins.
Arbor Creek students welcome visitors Arbor Creek Elementary students welcomed YouthFriend and Seniors Serving Schools volunteers to the annual bash at Olathe South High School.