School district hopes to ease volunteer process with website
“We need your help.” That is the Clark County School District’s stance.
The district launched the Watch Us Grow campaign this month in conjunction with Superintendent Dwight Jones’ State of the District address Jan. 5 at Chaparral High School.
The district added a new page on its website, ccsd.net, that explains ways people can get involved with their local schools.
The district is encouraging public support more than ever to help improve its graduation rate. The district had about 20,000 seniors at the beginning of this school year, and about half were on track to graduate.
“Our graduation rate is at epidemic proportions,” district spokeswoman Amanda Fulkerson said. “We’re taking the time to publicly explain everything we’re doing to get people more involved. I think if we make it easier for a parent or community member to get involved and they change one kid’s life, that’s a success.”
The district is looking for volunteers to help Saturday as part of the Reclaim Your Future initiative, which is scheduled at several high schools across the Las Vegas Valley.
It will be the second time the event will be held this school year. Administrators, teacher and volunteers visited about 300 homes in September to get struggling juniors and seniors back in school and on the path to graduation.
Rancho High School principal James Kuzma and other volunteers attempted to bring back 37 students who dropped out. He explained why it is so important.
“Looking at the number of kids that don’t graduate, that is a detriment to our whole community,” he said. “We have adults going out unskilled, their futures are limited, they don’t have access to the lifestyle they want. The community will benefit from a more educated adult. That’s the biggest benefit. They’ll be a more contributing member of society. It’s important that the community get out there and help support schools.”
Other aspects of the district’s Watch Us Grow initiative include mentor programs, volunteerism, donations, literacy programs and more.
One area in desperate need for help is mentoring, Fulkerson said.
“We need thousands,” she said. “We want a responsible adult with every at-risk student in the district.”
The Watch Us Grow website, ccsd.net/get-involved, has information about how to sign up for any of the initiatives. You don’t even have to leave your computer if you don’t want to.
The website also has a searchable database of the supplies needed at every school. You can buy the school supplies right on the website.
“It’s a great tool to support the teachers,” Fulkerson said. “If your child’s school needs erasers, you can buy them.”
You also can donate time and money to the Public Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports the district. For more information, visit thepef.org.
To volunteer for Saturday’s Reclaim Your Future event, visit ccsd.net/reclaim-your-future.
The district also recommends attending the Board of Trustees meetings to voice concerns. Meetings are usually held bimonthly at the Edward A. Greer Education Center, 2832 E. Flamingo Road. The next meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday. For more information, call the board office at 799-1072.
Contact View education reporter Jeff Mosier at jmosier@viewnews.com or 224-5524.