Volunteer

WOPS

Cultivating a Climate for Success

West Ottawa Public Schools is committed to parent and community involvement. Participation is strongly encouraged and appreciated. There are several ways to be involved, from tutoring to supervising popcorn days to chaperoning a field trip.

Volunteers Support Instruction

Volunteers are our partners in teaching and learning. They are caring individuals of all ages, from all walks of life, who share their time and talents with students and staff. They supply what tax dollars cannot in time, talent, energy and ideas to support and enhance the educational experiences for our students.

Volunteers translate their concern for children and quality education into involvement in numerous capacities. Students reap the rewards of individual attention, positive role models and a greater motivation to learn. Volunteers assist teachers and administrators, creating opportunities for them to increase their effectiveness. The lives of virtually every West Ottawa child and teacher are in some way touched by the helping hand of a community partner.

Our schools are greatly enriched through a broad range of activities provided by the involvement of parents, guardians, grandparents, students, community members, businesses and civic organizations who have become our partners in teaching and learning. Hundreds of community members, parents and students are involved yearly on school improvement teams, advisory committees and district task forces.

Volunteer Impact Over the Years

The documentation of volunteer hours is just one measure of the vast pool of community resources benefiting students. Click the link below to see the number of volunteers and volunteer hours over the years.

Volunteer Impact

Volunteer Now!

To apply, click the appropriate link below. You must fill out all required fields.

Volunteer Profile/Formulario de Voluntarios

Once the form is completed online, your name will be entered into the volunteer database. Proceeding, as stated in the Board Policy, “Any person who volunteers to work with the District shall be screened through…the Internet Criminal History Access Tool (ICHAT)…” If the Michigan criminal background check results declare that an individual has been convicted of a felony or certain misdemeanors, they may be denied eligibility or have a restriction. Please allow for up to two weeks for the background check process to be completed. Each volunteer who has been denied has the opportunity to appeal the decision with the Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources, Jens Milobinski. Preceeding the meeting, Jens Milobinski will determine if a student’s safety is at risk based on the individual’s case. You will be contacted by the teacher or chairperson of the event to schedule your participation. Please check with your building coordinator for further information.

Please note, this process must be completed annually.

Caroline Clement
Human Resources
clementc@westottawa.net
(616)786-2072