Cook County School District 130 is seeking volunteers to help at the elementary, intermediate, and middle school levels. Volunteers are needed to help read to students, assist in the library, act as a mentor, help out in the main office, assist in the lunchroom or at recess, and much more. Volunteers may donate their time between the hours of 8 am and 2:45 pm when school is in session and there is no minimum amount of time required.

Volunteers in the Reading Buddy program give their time by reading and listening to students read at least one hour per week. Most volunteers will work with students in kindergarten through fifth grade and they are very helpful to students who are in need of extra attention with reading and language arts. The District also works closely with the City of Blue Island’s Senior Citizen’s Office to promote this reading initiative and meetings are held at the 911 Center in Blue Island for volunteers to give feedback, socialize, and share reading strategies.

If you are interested in helping to build a stronger community through volunteering at the school in your area please contact Carl Ferraro, PPS coordinator, at 708-824-1052, ext. 7412. Applications are available at each of the schools in the District or interested adults can also call the Pupil Personnel Services department and an application will be mailed to you. The District also requires volunteers to go through a background check before being placed at one of the District’s schools.

Cook County School District 130 serves nearly 4,100 students at thirteen school sites. The district serves portions of the communities of: Alsip, Blue Island, Crestwood and Robbins.