USD 490 has several volunteer opportunities for parents and community members.

I Can Read Volunteers
I Can Read volunteers are partnered with a second grade student who has been identified as reading below their grade level. These volunteers spend 30 minutes, one day per week, helping students learn high-frequency words, work on reading comprehension skills, fine tune fluency and oral reading skills, blending sounds into words, and encouraging students to develop a love for reading. Training and materials are provided through a partnership between USD 490 and Partners in Education and schedules are flexible.

To learn more or become an I Can Read Volunteer, please contact Staci Rickard at sarickard@usd490.org or at 316-322-4810.

Foster Grandparents
The Foster Grandparent program is sponsored by the Butler County Department on Aging. Seniors over the age of 55 volunteer to spend time with students in our schools. They help students learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and serve as a mentor for students.

To learn more or become a Foster Grandparent, contact Rachel McKee with the Department on Aging at 316-775-0500 or visit them online at http://www.bucoks.com/580/Foster-Grandparent-Program.

Parent-Teacher Organizations, Site Councils, and Booster Clubs
Parent organizations such as PTO, PRIDE, site council, and booster clubs are an excellent way for parents to get involved and make a difference in our schools. PTO and PRIDE are two different names for essentially the same thing. These groups are led by parents who want to make a positive impact on the school community. They organize the school fundraisers, book fairs, and teacher appreciation week activities. These organizations work with the building principal to help support teachers and students.

All PTO and PRIDE meetings are marked on the District Activities Calendar and the rSchool online calendar. Simply show up to any of the meetings to get started.

Site Councils are separate from the PTO organizations. They act as a sounding board for the principal and make suggestions on how to guide the school. These groups meet quarterly to discuss school climate, challenges, successes, and how best to keep the school moving forward.

To join the Site Council, contact the building principal.

Booster Clubs are the high school’s version of PTO. There are several booster clubs that pertain to specific areas in the high school. There is an Athletic Booster Club and a Band Booster Club. These groups organize fundraisers and help support students in these areas.

To join a high school booster club, contact the school office at 316-322-4810.