Volunteers Bring Campus Improvements to Life at Cascade Parent Partnership

Volunteer Enhancement Project (VEP) season is underway, bringing community partners together to make meaningful improvements across SPS campuses. At Cascade Parent Partnership, recent efforts are already transforming the school grounds. 

With support from Amazon volunteers, the site received upgrades to its garden and play spaces—including replacing a failing fence with a new one designed in the shape of a mountain range, clearing weeds and old materials, and planting new greenery.  

The makeover was especially noticeable in the school’s back area. What was once a space that was covered in concrete and clovers now has a clear space that allows students to plant more flowers and vegetables.  

These enhancements are creating a more welcoming, engaging outdoor space for students. Special Education Instructional Assistant Carolyn Kelley said the outdoor spaces have been pivotal in helping students – many of whom have taken ownership over taking care of the flowerbeds. 

Artists and volunteers paint homage to Sand Point Elementary Squirrels 

Like the school’s squirrelly mascot, dozens of volunteers from Deloitte descended on Sand Point Elementary during the organization’s annual national Impact Day on June 5.  

Workers darted back and forth on yardwork, painting and cleaning projects, painting new playground activities, and installing an enormous mural showcasing a Pacific Northwest forest scene. Within seven hours, the initiative had transformed the surrounding paved and overgrown hardscape into a colorful playground and garden ready for fresh planting.  

“Sand Point Elementary is incredibly grateful for the transformative work of Deloitte’s Impact Day, which brought new energy, creativity, and connection to our school campus,” said Stephanie Zikopoulos, the school’s principal. “Through this partnership, Deloitte volunteers helped reimagine our outdoor spaces with vibrant colors, interactive play areas, and spaces designed to inspire connection and learning.” 

Students now have new opportunities to explore, collaborate, and create with refreshed spaces for soccer, basketball, foursquare, and a sensory pathway that encourages movement and discovery. The garden received a refresh, including an outdoor learning space where students can continue to connect with nature and extend their classroom learning beyond the walls of the school. 

Since 2011, Deloitte has contributed the supplies and labor to install larger than life murals at 13 schools across Seattle. Professional artists consult directly with school administrators and faculty during the months leading up to the day of installation. The designs are done collaboratively and largely reflect the artistry and ideas of the school’s students. 

Deloitte professionals have pitched in to help with district groundskeeping on its annual Impact Day for more than a decade. However, it is just one of many local companies that work with the SPS Volunteer Enhancement Projects Program throughout the year.  

SPS program coordinator Colleen Weinstein has developed a network of companies over the years who turn volunteer projects into team-building activities that benefit the school and the community.  

Any individual or group outside of SPS can suggest ideas and implement a volunteer enhancement project. To start or learn more about the program, visit Volunteer Enhancement Project website and fill out the application. After the application is reviewed by a panel, additional project-specific guidelines can be shared. 

More projects are on the way, with additional volunteers scheduled this fall to continue improvements, including an outdoor classroom patio and new mural. 

Upcoming VEPs 

• June 10: Roxhill Elementary – Starbucks volunteers are supporting garden maintenance and building an outdoor classroom chalkboard 
• June 11: Nathan Hale High School – Stantec volunteers will be removing invasive plants along Thornton Creek 
• June 11: Nathan Hale – Horticulture students and University of Washington partners are unveiling a new orchard and farm stand 
• June 13: Sacajawea Elementary – Playground game line refresh with the school community 
• Aug. 6: Pathfinder K-8 – Seneca volunteers will be refreshing playground games 
• Sept. 1: Adams Elementary – Amazon volunteers are repainting playground game lines 
• Sept. 19: Cascade Parent Partnership – Volunteers from MKA are building an outdoor classroom patio, creating a mural, and repainting games 

Together, these projects highlight the impact of community partnerships in creating vibrant, engaging spaces where SPS students can learn, play, and connect.