Volunteers are an essential part of Columbia Public Schools. On any given day, volunteers help students and staff through tutoring, reading to individuals, assisting in the computer lab, shelving library books, answering telephones, copying materials, etc.

Columbia Public School volunteers are part of the school team which consists of a teacher(s), an administrator(s) and the Building Volunteer Coordinator. (Building Volunteer Coordinators are volunteers who coordinate volunteer efforts at individual buildings.) As a part of this team, volunteers have the flexibility and freedom to design activities around specific interests, abilities, and skills.

Parents, grandparents, senior citizens, business partners, university and college students, and community members enrich school district programs by increasing productivity and effectiveness.

Before receiving an assignment, volunteers must complete a Volunteer Application, a Volunteer Survey, and a Missouri Request for Child Abuse or Neglect/Criminal Record form. School/Community Programs Department is responsible for sending this to the state for review. All information is strictly confidential. Once all paperwork has been processed, volunteers will be trained and given a volunteer assignment.

The Columbia Public Schools Volunteer program is a "school-based" program. All volunteering will occur at the school site. For more information contact:

School/Community Progams Department
Columbia Public Schools
555 Vandiver
Columbia, MO 65202
(573) 214-3960
E-mail us

Direct Interaction

Direct interaction in the classroom depends on the interests and/or needs of the volunteer, teacher, and school. Direct volunteer activities include telling stories, listening to students read, providing individual assistance to students, and assisting in the computer lab.

Volunteers may interact directly with students by discussing career paths, demonstrating cooking or gardening techniques, and sharing local history or ethnic background.

Imagination is the only limit to a volunteer's involvement. By sharing ideas, talents, and skills, volunteers make a difference in the lives of students in Columbia Public Schools.

Indirect Interaction

Indirect interaction with students, teachers, and staff depends on the interests and/or needs of the volunteer, teacher, staff, and school. Indirect volunteer activities include copying materials, assisting in the health room, collecting lunch money, recording attendance, and answering office telephones.

Volunteers may interact indirectly with students, teachers, and staff by working on projects at home. Examples include, cutting bulletin board materials, making decorations for holiday parties, and tabulating book orders.

Imagination is the only limit to a volunteer's involvement. By sharing ideas, talents, and skills, volunteers make a difference in the lives of students in Columbia Public Schools.