COUNTYWIDE — Volunteers and community partners are making a difference by helping students develop attitudes that are the hallmark of a quality education. Lending a hand, listening, offering encouragement and a smile, can help shape a child’s future.
From elementary to high school, volunteers are sharing their time and talents and are welcome in the classroom. All volunteers must complete a volunteer registration form and pass a background check before volunteering.
Change your lunch plans. Change a life.
There are thousands of boys and girls across the district who are ready and waiting to be matched with a mentor. All mentoring programs offered are during the school day on school grounds or at school-sponsored events.
Meeting with a student during their lunch is a great time to impact a child’s life. There is no outside contact or sharing of personal information, including phone numbers, emails and social media venues between mentors or mentees.
- General Mentors – For students who need one-on-one guidance, support and an additional adult in their life as a role model.
- 5000 Role Models of Excellence – A group mentoring program designed to boost the self-image, and increase the social skills and academic performance, of targeted males.
- Girlfriends of Pinellas County – A group mentoring program designed to empower young ladies through academic support. Students are provided resources and tools to encourage high self-esteem and self–reliance.
- Peer-to-Peer Mentoring – High school seniors mentor incoming freshman. Seniors provide support and guidance to students.
- Lunch Pals – Lunch Pals is a lunchtime mentoring program where businesses, community organizations and individuals are paired with a school to provide students with the additional presence of caring adults. All meetings occur during the student’s lunch.
- The Great American Teach-In – The Great American Teach-In is an annual event sponsored by Pinellas County Schools and Duke Energy. Families and the community are invited into schools to speak with students on a variety of topics. Participants can provide a personal perspective on their career choice, hobbies or personal experiences pertaining to education or overcoming obstacles personally or professionally.
To learn more about volunteering or to become a mentor, contact the Office of Strategic Partnerships at 727.588.6405, visit www.pcsb.org/mentors or email volunteers@pcsb.org.
