Board highlights volunteer and engagement opportunities, approves high-school clubs

A district staff member reviewed a compiled list of volunteer and engagement opportunities across district schools and recommended a single, easy-to-find location on the district website for parent and community sign-ups, as well as coordination with JustServe and other community volunteer calendars. The inventory included elementary opportunities (classroom volunteers, music programs, Patriots Day and Veterans Day assemblies, field trips, fall festival, STEM and Dr. Seuss nights), middle-school activities (lunch visits, bike-store volunteer support, career fair), academy and career-campus partnerships (construction and medical fields), and high-school guest speakers and CTE (Career Technical Education) pathway supports.

Visitor Dawn Reynolds described local JustServe activity and asked who in the district volunteers should contact; the chair and staff directed her to district personnel and noted agenda items this evening would cover opportunities for involvement. Staff said parents and community "patrons" may visit and volunteer if coordinated with teachers and offices to avoid surprises.

The board also reviewed proposed high-school clubs. Presenters described the Outdoor Club (advisor: Mrs. Gissel, student founder Jacob), Key Club (Kiwanis-affiliated, advisors Mrs. Murphy and Mrs. Schubert), a Compassion Kits service project, a Sacred Heart Catholic/Christian student group, Middleton Club USA (conservative-leaning club), and a podcast club noted on the district page but not on the printed agenda. A motion to approve the list of clubs carried by voice vote recorded as "aye."