NEWS VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHTS UPCOMING EVENTS
April 2023
National Volunteer Appreciation Week
Thank you for volunteering at SPS!

Thank you for serving students and staff across SPS. We could not do the work we do without you. Thank you for investing your time and talents helping to support students so they can excel in their academic success. We appreciate you! 
VOLUNTEER APPLICATION PROCESS
Don't Delay, Apply Today!

End of year activities and celebrations are in full swing across the District. Many events and field trips require individuals to be district approved volunteers. Approved volunteers must have an application, fingerprints and a Family Care Safety Registry on file for the 2022-2023 school year to participate in many of these events and activities.

Fingerprints and the Family Care Safety Registry are currently required every six years, while applications must be filled out yearly. If you plan to participate in any upcoming activities or events, check with your volunteer site coordinator to confirm your volunteer status.

If you have any questions regarding your volunteer application and background screening status, email volunteer@spsmail.org.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Lisa Lynch has volunteered in Ms. DeWilde's Class for 15 years
Lisa Lynch is a Vietnam veteran, mother of seven, grandmother of nine, great grandmother of two and a volunteer for Honor Flight and her church. In her ‘spare time,’ Lisa is also a dedicated volunteer for Springfield Public Schools, serving more than 500 hours just this school year. Her volunteerism has spanned more than 15 years at SPS. 

“I think kids are our greatest gift,” said Lisa. “I’ve been volunteering since my oldest was in school. It gave me something to do.”

Her children attended SPS and now she has a son and daughter-in-law who currently serve SPS students as teachers.

Lisa has volunteered with the same teacher, Marjorie DeWilde, the entire time she’s volunteered with SPS. 

“She’s been with me through the loss of my husband and son. The school and Ms. DeWilde have done more for me than what I’ve been able to do for them,” Lisa said. 

But that’s not quite how Ms. DeWilde sees it. 

“Lisa started volunteering in my classroom when I had her youngest child. I have changed grades, classrooms and even schools, and she keeps finding me! Good thing I always have a table ready for her, “ said Ms. DeWilde. “Thanks to Lisa, my students who can’t get help at home find a home at her table where they can quietly relearn and catch up. That constant murmur in the back tells me that small wonders happen every day.” 

Grandma Lisa, as students call her, not only helps Ms. DeWilde in the classroom. She also checks in with all McBride’s staff to help fill the gaps teachers might experience. She’ll help cut items, sort papers, make copies – it doesn't matter the task, she’s there to serve and help so teachers can teach. 

“Volunteering with SPS gives me a place of belonging. Everyone needs to feel wanted and in a spot where you feel like you make a difference,” she says. “ I feel like I’m making a difference.” 

Lisa’s passion for volunteering at SPS is evident in the way she serves and cares for those around her. ‘Love never divides, it only multiplies’ is a mantra Lisa holds close to her heart. Her volunteerism and compassion will multiply and impact students and staff for years – she truly is making a difference.  
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Ready. Set. Supply!
In August each year, close to 25,000 Springfield Public School students show up for school ready to learn. Because many of these students don’t have the resources to purchase their own supplies, teachers often use their own funds to supplement the paper, pencils, glue and other items needed. 

To help support students, SPS is launching its yearly campaign – Ready. Set. Supply! – to collect donations of school supplies so all SPS students and teachers can start the year off right.

There are a few ways you can help!
  • Sign up to serve on the NEW Ready. Set. Supply! Committee. Committee members will help recruit community partners, secure donations, and coordinate distribution and delivery of supplies.

  • Donate school supplies directly to schools or make a financial contribution to help fund the purchase of school supplies for schools across the district.  
Back to School Bash Volunteers Needed
Springfield Public Schools Back to School Bash is an event for students and families to get resources and information to start a successful 2023-2024 school year. The Back to School Bash will be held on Saturday, July 29 at the Springfield Expo Center. This event will offer backpacks, hygiene kits, groceries, immunizations, connections to community resources, and more! SPS is dedicated to providing district families with the support they need. The event is open to all SPS students and families.

We need volunteers to fill various position to help support the event. To volunteer, please fill out this form by July 15.
Community Partnership Volunteer Opportunities
United Way of the Ozarks
United Way of the Ozarks Day of Caring is the largest volunteer event in Southwest Missouri. SPS has several projects individuals and teams can sign up to support. To learn more, visit United Way of the Ozarks website.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER TRAINING
ALICE Training
We have one more opportunity for volunteers to participate in the district’s ALICE Training on Thursday, May 11. ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) Training will be taught by a certified instructor with the Springfield School Police Department. Volunteers who attend the training will be empowered to respond to a violent critical incident with more confidence. All SPS staff members are required to attend a yearly ALICE Training. We’re offering the same training for APPROVED volunteers who are interested.The training is first come, first serve with a maximum of 50 participants. 

Thursday, May 11, 2023, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Kraft Administrative Center, Room 148 
VOLUNTEER REMINDERS
  • Remember to check in and out of Hall Pass each time you are in a school building. We track volunteer hours and want to ensure we have correct data for recognition purposes. 

  • After you receive email confirmation of your approval status, reach out to your school’s volunteer site coordinator regarding volunteer opportunities!

  • If you will no longer be available to volunteer for SPS, email jbblake@spsmail.org so that your name is removed from the fingerprint system.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO SPS!
Springfield Public Schools
417-523-0000
#EveryLearnerEveryDay