Matthew Billings

Program Director

mbillings@vips4kids.org

Welcome to VIPS Inspiring Minds

Ryan Kelly

Outreach Coordinator VISTA

rkelly@vips4kids.org

Volunteer Orientation Agenda

*Who We Are

*Policies and Procedures

*Success Strategies

*Opportunity Description

MISSION VIPS‘ Inspiring Minds mission is to provide Providence

public school students with the educational support services and personalized help they need to grow

academically and socially.

VISIONVIPS‘ Inspiring Minds vision is that all Providence public

school students have an equal chance at academic success. We see VIPS Inspiring Minds as being the provider of superior tutorial and mentoring services, educational resources and individual attention which truly affect

academic outcomes and build skills for the 21st century.

Our Place In The Community

*Inspiring Minds was founded in 1963 as Lippitt Hill Tutorial, to address the inequalities born out of school desegregation

*Oldest and largest academic volunteer program in RI

*Inspiring Minds currently places more than 1,200 volunteers, who tutor more than 3,000 students

*Network of Volunteers

*Unique Intervention

VIPS Volunteer Programs

IM Tech Center

Tutoring/ELL/Engineering

Reading Buddies & Math BuddiesTargeted Intervention

Classroom SupportHelp at the point of learning

Power Lunch!Cooperate

partnership

URI Science Saturdaysexploring science

Kid’s BridgeKindergarten transition

Reading & Math Buddies * Research based Literacy Intervention Program.

* Once weekly during the school year, for a one year commitment.

* Volunteers work with small groups who rotate in and out of a literacy station.

* Volunteers participate in ongoing trainings conducted by Providence Literacy Coaches.

* Reading & Math Buddies are currently running

in 14 schools serving over 600 students

IM Tech Center

*Supporting the social and academic needs of high school students, primarily from the “High School Hub” across the street

*Math and Science based tutoring and academic support.

*Monday-Thursday from 3:00PM to 5:30PM.

*As little as 1 day a week, to 4 days a week.

*Engineering and ELL classes

Individual and Small Group Academic Support

*Once a week during the school year, for a one year commitment.

*Partnering with Literacy Coaches, and Classroom Instructors.

*Provide academic support, in a one-on-one or small group setting.

*Parents and teachers have noted that students who receive academic support have a higher attendance rate, increased class participation, and more positive attitudes about learning.

VIPS and The Providence Public School Department

*Our partnership with the Providence School Department allows VIPS to deliver services to students.

*Interconnectivity between volunteers, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, department staff, and VIPS.

*We rely on your good judgment and decision making.*What we ask of you is the same as what the school

department asks of their employees.

Messe

r Sep

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Messe

r June

Messe

r

Flynn Sep

t

Flynn June

Flynn

West

Broadway

Sept

West

Broadway

June

West

Broadway

Kennedy Sep

t

Kennedy June

Kennedy

Windmil

l Sep

t

Windmil

l June

Windmil

l

Woods Young Sep

t

Woods Young June

Woods Young

Kizirian

Sept

Kizirian

June

Kizirian

West

Sept

West June

Classroom Control

0.09

0.28

NaN

0.16

0.66

NaN

0.21

0.13

NaN

0.35

0.53

NaN

0.29

0.18

NaN

0.14

0.13

NaN

0.27

0.45

NaN

0.45

0.71

Students in Reading Buddies

0.27

0.79

NaN

0.23

1 NaN

0.11

0.55

NaN

0.37

0.71

NaN

0.08

0.6 NaN

0.16

0.54

NaN

0.33

0.71

NaN

0.22

0.9

5%

15%

25%

35%

45%

55%

65%

75%

85%

95%

Reading Buddies 2010 Percentage Proficient in Reading Benchmark

Percen

tage P

rofi

cien

t

Messer Flynn West Brodway Kennedy Windmill Woods Young Kizirian West

Classroom Control 100 21 38 69 14 27 13 61

Students in Reading Buddies 100 100 82 100 100 100 100 99

5

15

25

35

45

55

65

75

85

95

Reading Buddies 2009-2010Percentage of Students that Retained Benchmark

Per

centa

ge

33%41%

26% 25%

26%

29%

45%

72%

35%

26% 25%

3%6%

3% 4%

NECAP -2008 ProvidencePercent in Each Performance Level with Bar Set at Proficient

Grade 8

Level 2 Level 1 Level 3 Level 4

Reading Writing Math Science

Per

cen

tag

e P

rofi

cien

t

Policies and ProceduresA VIPS volunteer must never be alone with a

student.

Do not contact students outside of school.

Never administer medication, or medical treatment to a student.

Do not give money to a student.

Discipline is always administered by the classroom teacher.

Always follow the rules of the school.

Confidentiality*A strict code of confidentiality is designed to protect the privacy rights of students and families.

*Do not discuss your students with people other than your teachers, or appropriate school staff.

*Any concerns with a student’s safety must be reported to the school or VIPS.

*If a secret is told to you in confidence, and it is not harming the student, or anyone else, you can keep it a secret. When in doubt ask the teacher or VIPS staff.

Success Strategies

* You are in the classroom as a result of a request made by the teacher

* The teacher is the lead in the classroom at all times

* Follow the teacher’s cues, language and dress Continuity and consistency is key to learning

* Exchange contact information with your classroom teacher: Keep the lines of communication open

* Establish how you and your student would like to be addressed

Positive Relationships

* Share some of your interests

* Praise when appropriate

* Start each session with a conversation

* Relax and be patient

* Establish a trust dynamic. Students should be able to ask questions, without feeling “stupid”

* Take time to talk, and get to know them

* Tell them why you are in their school, and let them know how often you will be seeing them

* Show that you are interested, and take the time to listen

Effective Communication * Student might be an English

Language Learner

* Do not just assume that a student understands, ask follow up questions

* Avoid rapid fire questions

* Don’t force eye contact

* Speak slowly and deliberately

* Volume is not comprehension

* Take your time: PATIENCE

* Stop talking

* Focus on the student as they are talking

* Let students finish what they are saying

* Ask open ended, and follow up questions

* Stop yourself from one upping or comparing

* Be non-judgmental

* Listen with empathy not sympathy

Your First Day

* Arrive Early! Find the front door, and go to the Main Office

* Identify yourself as a VIPS volunteer

* Place your Sign In sheet in the VIPS binder

* Arriving early might give you a chance to chat with the classroom teacher

* Ask the teacher what she/he expects you to accomplish, and what they want you to work on

* Ask about classroom materials

Attendance

* VIPS volunteers are asked to commit to serving 1 or 2 hours a week, for an entire school year, depending on the program.

* Be consistent with your commitment and time.

* Call the teacher or school if you are going to be late or absent.

* If your classroom teacher is absent, ask if you can still meet with your students.

* Signing in/out is critical to the program’s success. It is how we report on hours, students and volunteers

* Sign In Sheets are placed in the VIPS binder at the main office of the school

* You may also be required to sign in with the school as well, which is separate for signing in with VIPS

What You Can Expect From VIPS

*Response to challenges, and check-ins.

*Sharing the results of our findings.

*Support through out your time at VIPS.

*Information about other activities going on within the organization.

Find, Join and Spread VIPS

www.inspiringmindsri.org