Partnership Reports Increase in Volunteer Hours at Portland Schools
Parents and community members contributed more than 41,000 hours to Portland Public School students from September 2005 to January 2006, according to the Portland Education Partnership. That amounts to a 4 percent increase over last year. Volunteers help out in classrooms, chaperone field trips, coach sports teams, tutor students who need extra help and do many other jobs.
“Volunteers enrich students’ learning experiences and support their academic progress,” said Susan L. Steele, the Partnership’s director. “Portland residents recognize that our children are our future and are willing to invest in them,” she said.
In addition to the efforts of individual volunteers, 120 local business and community organizations partnered with Portland schools between September 2005 and January 2006. They contributed needed funds and donated products and services to meet the needs within the school community. In-kind goods and services donations exceeded $125,000 — an 80 percent increase over this time last year.
For more information, please contact the Portland Education Partnership office at 842-5431 or steels at portlandschools.org.
