Volunteer & Community Involvement
Volunteer and Community Involvement programs develop resources in response to the differing needs of classrooms. By accessing the many diverse resources found in communities, these programs enrich and enhance school curriculum. A wide array of community partners enable these programs to maximize their impact. Volunteers may tutor, mentor, assist in the classroom, help with fundraising and participate in developing school plans, as well as many other opportunities. Recognition awards promote community involvement as well as highlight outstanding volunteer practices and showcase exemplary projects which are then shared statewide.
School districts regularly seek volunteers, mentors, and community partners to enhance classroom experiences, to assist with school-related activities, and to enrich student learning. Please contact the District Volunteer, Community and Family Involvement Coordinator in your area to learn about local volunteer, mentoring and community involvement opportunities.
Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month
April is Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month. We are grateful to our volunteers who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to quality education in Florida. During the 2019-2020 school year, over 630,000 volunteers reported more than 8 million volunteer hours in Florida schools. When schools and volunteers work together to support learning, everyone benefits.
To help celebrate school volunteers, we offer the following recognition resources:
- 7 Ways to Appreciate Your Volunteers
- APS: Recognizing Volunteers
- Fresh and Creative Ways to Thank Your Volunteers
- MPS: 25 Ways to Show Appreciation to Volunteers
- Volunteer Appreciation Done Right
- Ways to Recognize Volunteers during Florida School Volunteer Appreciation Month (PDF)
To highlight Florida's school volunteers, districts and schools are encouraged to share volunteer recognition activities at @EducationFL and tag #FLSchoolsVolunteer
Recognition Programs
Four recognition awards are offered annually to promote family and community involvement as well as highlight outstanding volunteer practices and showcase exemplary volunteer and community involvement programs in Florida Schools.
The Five Star School Awards
The Five Star School Awards are presented to schools that have demonstrated evidence of exemplary community involvement through business partnerships, family involvement practices, volunteerism, and student community service. Please visit www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/volunteer-community-involvement/the-five-star-school-award.stml for more information, application materials, and a list Five Star Schools.
The Golden and Silver School Awards
The Golden and Silver School Awards recognize both public elementary and secondary schools with exemplary volunteer programs. Please visit www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/volunteer-community-involvement/the-golden-silver-schools-awards.stml for more information and application materials.
The Outstanding School Volunteer Awards
The Outstanding School Volunteer Awards recognize Florida school volunteers for demonstrating outstanding dedication and commitment to student success. Please visit: www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/volunteer-community-involvement/the-outsting-school-volunteer.stml for more information, nomination form, and a list of Outstanding School Volunteer Award recipients.
The Family & Community Involvement Award
The Family & Community Involvement Award is presented to school programs that successfully engage families, communities, and business partners in meaningful school-based activities. Please visit www.fldoe.org/schools/family-community/activities-programs/volunteer-community-involvement/the-parent-involvement-award.stml for more information, nomination form, and prior award recipients.
Quick Links
LaTanya Peterson, Director, Family & Community Engagement
Phone: 850-245-0859
Email: Latanya.Peterson@fldoe.org