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This page last updated November 25, 2007
1. General Questions About VIPS:
What does VIPS mean?
VIPS are Volunteers in Public Schools. The VIPS program is one of the six programs administered by the Katy ISD Partners in Education office. The other programs are School Business Partnerships, Junior Achievement, the KEYS mentoring program, Promise to Read and Walk a Mile in My Shoes.
Who is the VIPS Coordinator?
Each Katy ISD school has a volunteer who coordinates the VIPS program at their campus, under the guidance of the campus administration and with the support of the Katy ISD Partners in Education department. Contact your campus administration to find out who is the VIPS Coordinator for your campus.
Who is the VIPS Liaison?
The campus VIPS Liaison is a staff member on each campus appointed by the campus principal. The VIPS Liaison serves as a point of contact between the campus staff and the campus volunteer leaders.
Do I need to register as a Katy ISD volunteer?
Yes. Each Katy ISD campus has their own volunteer registration form that should be completed annually by all Katy ISD volunteers, including those who volunteer through the high school booster clubs. Registered volunteers will receive an invitation to the annual VIPS Celebration Breakfast. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator for more information. If you do not know your campus VIPS Coordinator, please contact your school administration or Martha Brown in the Partners In Education office.
What is the A/B calendar?
Each week during the academic year is designated for purposes of the VIPS program, as an A or a B week. The A/B calendar helps schedule volunteers for every other week volunteer assignments. It is particularly useful for those volunteers who have children at more than one school, and wish to volunteer at each campus. For example: a volunteer may work A week at the greeters desk at their elementary school, and B week in the library at the junior high.
What is Discover U?
Discover U is Katy ISD’s annual conference, usually scheduled in October each year. It is sponsored by Katy ISD Partners in Education, and is open to all Katy ISD parents and community members. It’s not just for volunteers! Check the VIPS Events page for more information, then treat yourself to a day of fun and learning.
I completed a volunteer registration form at the beginning of the school year, and no one has contacted me yet. What shall I do?
Please be assured that we do want you! Initial phone calls to volunteers can be made at any time during the school year, depending on the timing of the event or activity. However, on occasion forms get mislaid or information is transcribed incorrectly. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator and she will find a spot for you.
Can I bring my toddler to school when I volunteer?
There are occasions when it may be possible to bring younger children to school when you volunteer, but generally it is advised that you arrange for a babysitter. Please consult your school administration, or your campus VIPS Coordinator, for your own campus guidelines; and remember - if someone keeps your children for you, those babysitting hours count too!
Help! My 13 year old son has told me that he doesn’t want me to volunteer at school any more, what shall I do?
Don’t be upset. This is normal, and in many cases even though a child may think that it isn’t ‘cool’ to see Mom or Dad at their school, they actually are very pleased to know you are there. We recommend that you continue volunteering. There are volunteer opportunities ‘behind the scenes’ that may interest you, so speak to your campus VIPS Coordinator to find out what she has available. Wherever you volunteer, it’s important to continue your involvement in your student’s school experience.
My spouse works for ExxonMobil, and someone told me that I can apply for a grant for my school. How do I do that?
Many corporations, including ExxonMobil, award individual and team volunteer grants to schools, and non-profit organizations on behalf of their employees, retirees or other eligible participants who volunteer their time to those non-profit groups. Eligible employees/retirees can get information by contacting their corporate community affairs department, or Katy ISD Partners in Education.
What are the Promise to Read and Walk a Mile in my Shoes programs?
Promise to Read and Walk a Mile in my Shoes are Partners in Education initiatives that invite community volunteers into the classrooms. For more information contact the Partners in Education Department at 281.396.2461.
Who can attend the VIPS Celebration Breakfast?
The annual VIPS Celebration Breakfast is hosted by the Katy ISD Partners in Education each spring to honor all Katy ISD volunteers, and to recognize each campus’ Volunteer of the Year. All registered Katy ISD volunteers will receive an invitation in the mail, so be sure to fill out that campus volunteer registration form.
What is the Katy ISD Vendor Fair?
The annual vendor fair is organized by Katy ISD to allow administrators, teachers, sponsors and parent organizations to meet with vendors to discuss possible fundraising activities. Vendors have the opportunity to display their merchandise, discuss services available and present their ideas for successful fundraising activities. Contact the Katy ISD Purchasing Department at 281.396.6260 for more information.
I’ve heard that we should only use CocaCola products at our school carnival, is that correct?
Katy ISD has an exclusive contract with Houston CocaCola to provide soft drinks and other beverages to all schools and at all activities at any district facility. This includes, but is not limited to, campuses, athletic facilities, concession stands and cafeterias. To find out more information about how this can affect you contact G.E. McMeans in the Katy ISD Support Services Department at 281.396.2307.
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2. Volunteer Hours:
Read the Volunteer Hours page for information and the answers to frequently asked questions about volunteer hours.
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3. How Do I.....?
Record my volunteer hours?
Record your name in the VIPS sign-in book whenever you are on campus. Off campus volunteer hours may also be reported in the volunteer sign-in book. Consult your campus VIPS Coordinator if you are unable to be on campus during the school day, she can frequently accept your volunteer hours by phone or email. Click here for a Volunteer Record sheet to help you keep track your of campus volunteer hours.
Register for Discover U?
Information flyers will be sent home with students during the first few weeks of school, and may also be found at the Education Support Complex (ESC) and on your campus. The Discover U website opens at the beginning of the school year to permit online registration. For more information contact Martha Brown in the Partners In Education office at 281.396.2468.
RSVP to the annual VIPS Celebration Breakfast?
All registered volunteers should receive an invitation in the mail to the VIPS Celebration Breakfast. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator, or Martha Brown, Partners in Education Specialist Assistant, for more information about registering as a Katy ISD volunteer.
Register as a volunteer?
Each campus has their own volunteer registration form. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator for more information. If you do not know your campus VIPS Coordinator, please contact your school administration or Martha Brown in the Partners In Education office.
Nominate a candidate for Volunteer of the Year?
Contact your campus VIPS Liaison or VIPS Coordinator for a nomination form. A Volunteer of the Year is selected for each campus in the spring of each school year.
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4. Volunteer Opportunities
I just moved to Katy, how can I volunteer at my child’s school?
Talk to your school administration, they will put you in contact with your campus VIPS Coordinator, or contact Martha Brown, Katy ISD Partners In Education at 281.396.2468.
I would like to mentor one-on-one with a child, whom do I contact?
The Katy ISD Partners In Education office administers the KEYS Mentoring program. Click here for more information.
I would like to volunteer in my child’s classroom, is this possible?
Yes, there are opportunities at all grade levels to volunteer in the classroom. These may include reading to elementary students, teaching Junior Achievement and sharing career opportunities with high school students. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator for more information about programs at your school. If you are interested in teaching Junior Achievement contact Bill Land, Director of Education, Katy Project, 281.396.2439.
I am a working parent, can I still volunteer?
Yes, there are numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer at home or off campus, outside school hours. These may include baking for hospitality events and classroom parties, helping with the school carnival, working on campus beautification projects, selling concessions at sporting events and chaperoning students at off campus events. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator for more information. We will always find something for you to do.
My child is now in junior high, can I still volunteer at his elementary school?
Yes, there are many volunteer opportunities at schools throughout Katy ISD, and you are not required to have a student on the campus where you choose to volunteer. Please contact the campus VIPS Coordinator to offer your services. If you are interested in volunteering in the Junior Achievement program, KEYS Mentor program or would like to discuss how your skills may be used on another campus within the district, contact Martha Brown in the Partners In Education office.
My child’s grandparents have just come to live with us, can they volunteer at school?
Absolutely! Please ask them to complete a volunteer registration form available on your campus and return it to the campus VIPS Coordinator.
English isn’t my first language, and we have only just moved to this country. Can I still volunteer?
Of course! Volunteers who speak a second language are always needed in our schools, and volunteering is a great way to meet people and improve your own language skills. Contact your campus VIPS Coordinator for more information, or Martha Brown, KISD Partners In Education at 281.396.2468.
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5. Discover U
Visit the Discover U website, or VIPS Events page for more information about the Katy ISD annual conference, Discover U.
6. VIPS Celebration Breakfast
All registered Katy ISD volunteers are invited to attend the annual VIPS Celebration Breakfast. Visit our VIPS event page for more information.