volunteer spotlight
By Sarah Robinson
For 2020, Pickerington Magazine will highlight various volunteer opportunities in the community.
The Heart of the District Volunteers make a big impact on schools
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Pickerington School District Fast facts about the schools
Violet Township and the City of Pickerington have been dedicated to education since 1785, with the first plot of land set aside for a school. They’ve been growing ever since. • 14 modern school facilities • 32 percent of students identify as gifted • 47 languages are spoken by students in the district • 50 sports teams compete in regional, district and state tournaments • 96.7 percent graduation rate • 550 students involved in a high school music ensemble • 679 teachers in the district • 10,600 students in the district 26
The volunteering options with the local school district are vast; you might have the chance to help serve frozen treats to students.
Moriarty gives a few examples of ways volunteers give back: • PTO organizes and staffs the family Welcome Back Party • Help raise funds for an assembly to kick off the new school year • Participate in raising funds for STEAM Day • Organizes and run the book fairs • Help raise funds for author or illustrator visit each year • Organizes and staffs the Boys and Girls Fun Nights • Secure funds for the Super Games Day and provide additional volunteers • Help raise funds for field trips and provides volunteers It’s not just raising funds and organizing events, though. Volunteers also help in classrooms and see learning firsthand. “Volunteers are able to work with Volunteers can even help in the classroom. groups of students on specific academic Pickerington Elementary Principal needs, which allows (them) to become faMelissa Moriarty agrees that the volunteers miliar with what students are learning and how they are able to apply the knowledge make a positive impact on the district. “Our students are able to do more at they have learned,” says Diley Middle School Principal Dr. Heather Hedgepeth. school because of volunteers,” she says. www.pickeringtonmagazine.com
Photos courtesy of Pickerington Local School District
ickerington schools are ranked among the highest performing districts in Ohio. Even with COVID-19 concerns, student have and will participate in study abroad experiences, use new technology and compete athletically at high levels. The students are familiar with STEM activities and have taken advanced placement courses and college credit plus. The district currently serves more than 10,000 students – and that number keeps growing. School volunteers are an essential part of student success, and as the district-wide student body grows, so does the need for more volunteers. “We could not do what we do as a school if we didn’t have all of our volunteers,” says Kristi Motsch, Toll Gate Elementary principal. “They are a valuable part of our school community.” From booster clubs, holiday parties and author visits to field trips, fund raising and book fairs, there are numerous ways to get involved and give back.
