Welcome VIPS Volunteers

Matthew Billings

Program Director

mbillings@vips4kids.org

Volunteers in Providence Schools

905 Westminster Street

Providence, RI 02903

Ryan Kelly

Outreach Coordinator VISTA

rkelly@vips4kids.org

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.

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40%

60%

80%

100%

33%41%

26% 25%

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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