April 20-25 is Public School Volunteer Week

Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed their time and skills to a project this year. Volunteers have donated 2,650 hours and counting towards VEP projects this year.

What is a Volunteer Enhancement Project?

A Volunteer Enhancement Project is any project to improve our school buildings or grounds. Volunteer Enhancement projects may be initiated and implemented by any individual or group other than Seattle Public Schools’ Facilities, Capital or Technology departments staff.

Complete the Volunteer Enhancement Project Application form to initiate the process of starting a project at your site. After your application is reviewed by a panel we will share additional project specific guidelines.

Some examples of Volunteer Enhancement Projects are:

• Grounds stewardship and landscape renovation
• School playground improvements
• Creating a mural or mosaic
• Install a Little Library or bench
• Interior and exterior painting
• Developing or enhancing a school garden
• Community volunteer service day

If you have an idea that’s not listed, check with us to see if it falls under Volunteer Enhancement Projects review.

About the Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program

The Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program is part of the Facilities Department. The Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program is responsible for coordinating the review, approval, tracking and oversight of all Volunteer Enhancement Projects. We also partner with the School Learning Garden Network.

All Volunteer Enhancement Projects (VEP) require prior approval by the Seattle Public Schools VEP Review Team to ensure all projects:

• Are appropriate for our buildings and grounds
• Are compliant with School Board policies
• Are completed to District standards
• Complements school programming
• Provides a record of the project

Initiate a Project

Complete a Volunteer Enhancement Project Application. We’ll review your project and get back to you with conditions of approval. The review team meets every other Thursday.

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Seattle Public Schools!