At Ascension School, we not only welcome volunteers from the community, we depend on them.  With more than 300 eager learners in kindergarten through eighth grade and a rigorous curriculum, volunteers play an important role in supporting our students.   Opportunities to help range from listening to a first grader read aloud, helping eighth grade students prepare for the state standardized math test, to working on our buildings and grounds and in our school gardens (landscaping).

 

What’s it like volunteering at Ascension?

Here’s what our scholars say about the volunteers:

 

 

We offer numerous ways to engage with our students:

Classroom Support

Work one on one with a student in the classroom.

• Available hours: Monday through Friday, between 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. on a scheduled basis with the classroom teacher.

 Homework Help

Assist students in our after school Homework Help Program.

• Available hours:   Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 2 – 3 p.m.

Latchkey Supervision

• Available hours: Monday through Friday, 2 – 4:30 p.m.

MCA Math Prep (*Critical need)

This essential one-on-one program pairs volunteers with eighth grade students to help prepare them for the Math MCAIII test.  Volunteers need to have a basic knowledge of geometry and algebra, and the ability to work once a week with students from October until the test in the spring.

• Hours:  Mondays or Thursdays from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Middle-School Minis

Do you have a special talent, area of expertise or experience that you can share with our middle-school students?  Career exploration, college prep tips, cooking, entrepreneurship, sewing and leadership skills are examples of the topics we would love to cover. Sharing your gifts with our students helps familiarize them with new ideas and opportunities. Courses are once a week, for  1-6 weeks.

• Available Hours:  Monday through Friday, 3– 5 p.m. 

Recess Supervision

Monday through Friday, 10:30 to 10:50 a.m. or 11 to 11:20 a.m.

Library Support                             

General assistance shelving books

• Available Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 

Occasional Opportunities

Many people want to help our students succeed but aren’t able to commit to a regular volunteer schedule.  Throughout the year, volunteers are needed for one-time events such as field trips, gardening, health screening day, school picture day, and costume construction for early December Christmas Program. To be on an e-mail list for one time volunteer opportunities, please contact Margaret Conroy, 763 760-3928

 

SLAM

Our Super Summer Language and Math intensive runs the first six weeks of summer and is designed to enhance and nurture learning at all levels.  Guest readers begin our students’ day by reading from a favorite book or one from our collection.  Guest reader signup begins in May.

 

Requirements for all volunteers

• The desire to help our wonderful scholars thrive
• Completion of the Volunteer Application and Essential 3 requirements

Forms

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis mandates that all individuals who are in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults through a school, parish, or archdiocesan institution meet three criteria. All ministries of the parish, including the school, are mandated to participate in the three criteria listed below.

• A successful background check: Church of the Ascension, through the archdiocese, has contracted with a very reputable agency that has been used for years by the archdiocesan schools, parishes, and institutions to conduct background checks for all employees and volunteers.
• Participation in a VIRTUS session: VIRTUS is the program that identifies best practices designed to help prevent wrongdoing and promote “right doing” within religious organizations. The VIRTUS program is the program mandated by the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
• Volunteer Code of Conduct: Individuals who work or volunteer with children and/or vulnerable adults are required to sign the “Volunteer Code of Conduct.” This code outlines what a volunteer will and will not do in their volunteer capacity.

To get started, please complete the Volunteer Application (link at right) and submit to Margaret Conroy. She will contact you regarding your volunteer interest and to further connect you with the online Essential 3 process guide.

Contact

For more information about volunteer opportunities or to schedule a tour of Ascension School, please contact:

Margaret Conroy
763 760-3928