Volunteer Opportunities From: PENCIL Connect

Be the Difference. Be a Buddy!

Alex Green Elementary is seeking volunteers to serve as Lunch Buddies throughout the school year. Volunteers can visit weekly, or as often as their schedule allows, to share a meal and meaningful time with a student.

Bring your own lunch, an approved snack or treat, a favorite book, or a fun activity to enjoy together. Lunch Buddies meet on Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Volunteers must complete the PENCIL Background Check before serving as a Lunch Buddy: Background Checks - PENCIL

For questions, contact Railin Lamb at Railin.Lamb@mnps.org.

Our librarian could use daily help with administrative support such as shelving books, assisting students with book check-outs, helping to distribute limitless library orders to students, and assisting with student technology issues.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are the main days needed. Assistance would be needed between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm. If interested, notify us of the days you'd be available to support. Help is needed from January 6, 2026 to May 22nd, 2026.

You can park in the visitor parking in the front of the school or side of the school.

Robert Churchwell Elementary will be celebrating Read Across America on Monday, March 2 - Thursday, March 5, 2026 and we are seeking volunteer readers to help us celebrate the love of reading with our students.

Volunteers may sign up for a 30-minute slot from 8:30am-10:30am with their preferred classroom using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050549ACA628AAFE3-61116196-read#/

For questions, please contact Tiffany Rhodes at Tiffany.Rhodes@mnps.org

Joelton Elementary will be celebrating Read Across America from Monday, March 2 - Thursday, March 5, 2026 and is seeking volunteer readers to help celebrate the love of reading with students!

Volunteers may sign up for a 30-minute slot from 8:30am-2:30pm with their preferred classroom using this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0D4FABAF2AA3F49-62271875-read#/

For questions, please contact Jaime Reickhoff at Jaime.Rieckhoff@mnps.org.

Stratton Elementary's Read Me Week is a schoolwide literacy celebration designed to inspire a love of reading in both English and Spanish! We are seeking volunteers to visit classrooms across all grade levels to read aloud to students and share the joy of books.

Volunteers will:• Read a selected book to assigned classes• Engage students through expression, discussion, and interaction• Support our bilingual learning environment (if possible)• Spend approximately 20 to 30 minutes per classroom

This opportunity is perfect for parents, community members, business partners, local leaders, high school students and college students.

Once you sign up, a school representative will follow up to confirm your time slot and classroom. For questions, please contact Kendra Broome at Kendra.Broome@mnps.org.

Read to the scholars at Shwab Elementary School as part of Read Across America Week (Read Me Week) during our "Books to Bright Futures" event.

Guest readers are welcome to come read to students and share about their college or careers, Monday through Thursday, during their related arts times the week of March 2-5.

SCHEDULE

2nd Grade – 8:15–9:15 AM
1st Grade – 9:45–10:45 AM
Kindergarten – 10:45–11:45 AM
5th Grade – 12:15–1:15 PM
4th & 3rd Grade – 1:50–2:50 PM

Please sign up here to get connected with the school and select your timeslot to read!

For more information, contact Rikitta Dews at rikitta.dews@mnps.org 

Read Across America Week is March 2-6. We are inviting volunteers to come and read to our students on March 2, 3, and 4. The link below is a sign-up genius for you to sign up for a shift. You can bring a book of your own or we will have books for you to choose from. This is a great opportunity to interact with our students and have a positive impact. We thank you in advance for your consideration.

Please sign up through this link: J. E. Moss Faculty and Staff: Read Across America Readers 2026

Charlotte Park Elementary School is looking for Guest Readers for Read Across America Week!

Please review the available time slots at the link below and sign up to read to a class during this special week: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944A8A82EA6FDC52-62561041-volunteers

Books will be provided for you, so there is no need to bring your own. On the day of your visit, please sign in at the front office 5–10 minutes prior to your scheduled reading time. After signing in, proceed to the library to select your books before heading to your assigned classroom.

They are excited to welcome you and appreciate your support in making this event special for their students!

For additional questions, please feel free to reach out to Community Schools Coordinator Kayli Wilder: kwilder@fcsnashville.org

Join VSVS (Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science) as they help Valor Flagship Academy create a memorable STEM experience for their students. VSVS will be providing a number of their engaging STEM activities for VSVS and community volunteers to guide students through during this STEM Night.  

Volunteers do not need experience with teaching or a strong science background to participate as VSVS will provide detailed instructions for all activities. For additional information about our program visit https://studentorg.vanderbilt.edu/vsvs.  

For questions directly related to this event reach out to our advisor at paige.ellenberger@vanderbilt.edu.

We hope to see you there!  

James Lawson High School is looking for professionals to speak with their 9th grade students as they prepare to select their academic and career pathways for next year.

Date: March 4
Time: 12:00 PM – 12:35 PM

This is a great opportunity to share your career journey and help students connect their interests to real-world opportunities.

What students appreciate:

Hands-on activities or real-world examples (such as blueprints, tools, demonstrations, or equipment)

Hearing your personal career story and how you reached your current position

Advice on important soft skills, including good decision-making, anger management, communication, and making strong first impressions

Bilingual professionals are especially encouraged to participate.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with anyone in your network who may be interested.

This sign-up genius link sign-up genius will show the available slots and areas of need (Health Sciences, Performing Arts, Digital Design, Culinary, Digital Technology/Engineering, Visual Arts (including fashion & interior), AV Technology, Business and Entrepreneurship. 

Once you sign up, you will receive a calendar invite with instructions for signing in.

Help inspire the next generation by sharing your experience and expertise.

For additional questions, please feel free to reach out to James Lawson Academy Coach Mary York at Mary.York@mnps.org

Cumberland Elementary invites volunteers to celebrate Dr. Seuss Read Across America Week by serving as classroom readers on Thursday, March 5th from 8:30am-10:30am! Readers are asked to read for a 30-minute session with their preferred grade level (Kindergarten-5th grade). You may bring your own book or choose from the school's collection.

For questions, please contact Nicole Glaze at 615-291-6370 or nicole.glaze@mnps.org.

Our Family Resource Center includes a dedicated supply room where students and families can access essential items with dignity. The space is stocked with food, hygiene products, and a variety of clean, season‑appropriate clothing. Everything is arranged neatly to make the room feel welcoming, organized, and easy to navigate. Students, faculty, and families are encouraged to take what they need in a comfortable, private setting. Our goal is to ensure every student feels supported, cared for, and ready to succeed.

Mondays and/or Fridays in 2+ hour shifts between the hours of 8:30am-3:30pm.

Dress comfortably and please wear closed-toe shoes.

We welcome volunteers of any number—individuals or groups up to about 10 people comfortably.

There is free parking in the side lot and on the surrounding streets. Please ring the doorbell and report to the front desk.

There is a project for everyone! Whether you prefer to lift boxes or need a seated task, we can accommodate you. Tasks may include:
- Sorting food items (oldest in front, newest in back)
- Folding and sizing clothing
- Sorting underwear and socks by size
- Organizing food by type
- Tidying additional spaces, such as our family/school laundry closet

Dress comfortably and please wear closed-toe shoes.

A.Z. Kelley Elementary is looking for female and male volunteers to serve as Lunch Buddies for 3rd-5th grade students. Lunch Buddies is designed to help reach students who would benefit from having an additional positive role model. The Lunch Buddy Program helps create healthy attitudes and behavior in youth, as well as provide skills, resources, and positive experiences that will aid them in becoming successful, productive citizens. We ask that volunteers commit to weekly or bi-weekly lunch visits with students. All volunteers are required to complete a Background Check through PENCIL before pairing with a student. If interested, notify us of the lunch time that you'd prefer to volunteer for this. The Lunch Buddies Program will run from September 2025 to March 2026.

Lunch Times:

4th Grade - 11:25-11:55

5th Grade - 11:45-12:15

3rd Grade - 12:00-12:30

Amqui K-8 is seeking volunteers to support their quarterly Transformation Tuesday sessions! This is an opportunity for partners to provide real-world experiences and fun activities in the classroom while teachers receive professional development training to enhance their classroom skills.

These sessions will be hosted from 8am-10am on the following dates: 

September 16th (6th-8th grade)

November 18th (4th-5th grade)

January 27th (2nd-3rd grade)

March 17th (Kindergarten-1st grade)

*Volunteers may commit to 1 hour or 2 hours as their schedule permits.*

Guest speakers are needed on the following topics:

Please contact Phil Osborne at Phil.Osborne@mnps.org for questions. 

Wright Middle School is seeking volunteers to support their monthly Workshop Wednesday sessions! This is an opportunity for partners to provide real-world experiences in the classroom while teachers receive professional development training to enhance their classroom skills.

This session will be hosted on the following dates (2 sessions) from 9:00-10:00am and 10:00-11:00am for grades 6-8. 

Workshop Wednesday Dates:

September 17

October 22

November 19

January 21

February 18

March 18

Volunteers may commit to 1 hour or 2 hours as their schedule permits.

Guest speakers are needed on the following topics:

Please contact Phil Osborne at Phil.Osborne@mnps.org or jonathan.avery@mnps.org for questions

We are pleased to extend an invitation for you to participate in the STARS on the Rise: Exploring College & Careers at John F. Kennedy Middle School event scheduled for March 18, 2026. Your professional expertise would provide invaluable insight as our students explore a wide range of future educational and career opportunities. Many of our students have limited exposure to the diverse career pathways available to them, and your involvement would offer meaningful, first-hand knowledge.

The event will take place at John F. Kennedy Middle School, located at 2087 Hobson Pike, Antioch, TN 37013. Each presenter will be assigned a designated area for setup. Presentations should consist of a 10‑minute overview followed by 5 minutes of student questions, for a total of 15 minutes per session. The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., with an arrival time of 10:15 a.m. If these times conflict with your availability, we would be glad to make reasonable accommodations.

A light lunch will be provided prior to the start of the presentations. To enhance engagement, presenters are encouraged to bring professional materials, tools, artifacts, or other visual aids relevant to their field. Presenters are also welcome to provide small tokens or informational items from their organization for students, if desired.

Attached, you will find suggested talking points. To confirm your participation, please respond no later than March 6, 2026. Should you have any questions or require further information, please contact me at (615) 501‑7900 or via email at tiffany.spicer@mnps.org.

We would be honored to have you join us for this important event. Thank you for your time, consideration, and support of our students.

Suggested Talking Points

College & Career Day – Quick Presenter Talking Points

1. Introduce Yourself

2. Share Your Career Path

3. Describe a Typical Workday

4. Connect Your Career to School

5. Explain the Education Pathway

Come join H.G. Hill middle schoolers as they explore career opportunities on Friday, March 20th. Nashville professionals are invited to help! Our school will have tables set up for volunteers to come and share their career paths with students who will walk around the tables and ask questions.

We are seeking professionals from the following fields: Architecture, engineering, HVAC, plumber, mechanic, hair stylist, makeup artist, nail technician, gym trainer, florist, small business owner, veterinarian, farmer, news/television worker, musician, firefighter, banker, graphic designer, music teacher, coding, video game programmer, A/V or sound engineer, trucker, event planner, hotel admin, welder, lineman, politician, etc. It's a lot, but those are our goals.

Volunteers will need to set up a table with some visuals that help represent their role and what they do, to help middle schoolers understand it. Swag/giveaways are welcome but optional.

If you are not able to attend the entire duration, please reach out to Kara Ellis (kara.ellis@mnps.org).

Thank you!

Cumberland’s Popping into Positive Behavior PBIS initiative takes place biweekly in our Community Room and celebrates our Kindergarten–5th grade scholars who consistently demonstrate positive behavior in their classrooms, Related Arts, and during lunch. As a reward for making positive choices, eligible scholars receive popcorn every other Friday during lunchtime. To help make this experience possible, we are seeking volunteers to assist with popping popcorn from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in preparation for student lunches.

Volunteer Roles:

Volunteer Dates: 2/13, 3/20, 4/3, 4/17, 5/1, 5/15

Your support helps us recognize and reinforce positive behavior while spreading joy across our campus! 

For questions, please contact Nicole Glaze at nicole.glaze@mnps.org or 615-291-6370.

Family & Community University is excited to host their 3rd annual College & Career Readiness Summit, and they would love to have volunteers join them on March 21, 2026, at the Martin Professional Development Center. 

Event Agenda: Families will have the opportunity to network with colleges, universities, and other community resource organizations. Families can attend sessions on budgeting, FAFSA, ACT prep, and job readiness. Lunch will be provided along with giveaways and resources that the entire family can use.

Doors open at 9:00am for participants and the event takes place from 10:00am-2:00pm     

*Volunteers will assist with things such as event set-up, greeting families, session monitors, resource giveaways and event breakdown.

Volunteer Shifts: 7:30am-11:00am, 10:30am- 1:30pm, 12:00 pm-3:00pm

Please use link to register and select a shift: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=V4KCxhBkfkC1V7XcchHeVXnPc0XpychAtVmpPhbd3NxUQTdIQThGU1dNQ0FGVE1PNThaN0dRNEZIMC4u&route=shorturl

Lunch is provided for volunteers.

Note: Additional information will be provided during a virtual volunteer orientation closer to the date. The information will also be provided via email.

Location: 
Martin Professional Development Center
2400 Fairfax Avenue
Nashville, TN 37212                                                                                                                                         
For additional information please email Kathryn Addison (kathryn.addison@mnps.org)

Join VSVS (Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science) as they help Antioch Middle School create a memorable STEM experience for their students. VSVS will be providing a number of their engaging STEM activities for VSVS and community volunteers to guide students through during this STEM Night.  

Volunteers do not need experience with teaching or a strong science background to participate as VSVS will provide detailed instructions for all activities. For additional information about our program visit https://studentorg.vanderbilt.edu/vsvs.  

For questions directly related to this event reach out to our advisor at paige.ellenberger@vanderbilt.edu.

We hope to see you there!  

Greetings partners and friends,

We are excited to launch a new initiative at Chadwell Elementary School (321 Port Dr., Madison, TN) designed to introduce our students to a wide variety of career paths early on.

During the second semester, we will host four Career Days, and we would be honored to have you join us as a guest speaker.

By sharing your career story, you will help inspire our students—from Kindergarten through 5th grade—and open their eyes to the many possibilities their futures can hold. Our students are eager learners, and your participation would make a meaningful impact.

Career Day Dates & Times

Tuesday, January 27 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, February 25 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 29 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

**This page is for the March 25th date only**
(To sign up for other dates, please navigate to those postings)

Each Career Day consists of two one-hour sessions. You’ll present your career story to one group from 8:30–9:30 a.m., then move to a second classroom from 9:30–10:30 a.m. An MNPS staff member will be present in each classroom to support you throughout the visit.

Here's a Sample/suggested Schedule

7:30–8:00 a.m. – Arrive at Chadwell/Sign in at front desk

8:00–8:30 a.m. – Get settled, familiarize yourself with the school, and visit the two classrooms where you will present

8:30–8:50 a.m. – Share your career story

8:50–9:00 a.m. – Brain break/move around room/etc

9:00–9:20 a.m. – Complete activity or project (materials provided, or bring your own!)

9:20–9:30 a.m. – Q&A and/or brief break

9:30 a.m. – Transition to the second classroom and repeat the schedule

10:30 a.m. – Wrap-up and dismissal

We hope you will consider partnering with us to inspire and encourage our students. If you are interested in participating and have questions, please feel free to reach out to Kelly Richter at Kelly.Richter@mnps.org

Thank you for supporting Chadwell Elementary—we look forward to welcoming you! 

Warmly,

Kelly

Senior Mock Interviews

March 25, 2026

7:05 a.m. – 2:05 p.m.

Shifts: (7:05am-7:48am; 8:47am-10:17am; 10:24am-12:24pm; 12:31pm-2:05pm)

March 26, 2026

8:47 a.m. – 2:05 p.m.

Shifts: (8:47am-10:17am; 10:24am-12:24pm; 12:31pm-2:05pm)

Volunteers will conduct mock interviews and provide feedback to help our seniors prepare for job interviews. This is one of our largest interview events of the year, and we would love your support. Please feel free to share this opportunity within your professional networks—it is a great way to work with students in a low-stakes, high-impact environment. 

Sign-up link: Cane Ridge High School Seniors: Mock Interviews for Seniors

We would also like all volunteers to complete a background check with PENCIL.

Link to complete Background Check: Background Checks - PENCIL

At Johnson ALC we are hosting a Happy Health Day event on March 26, 2026, from 8:30 AM to 2:20 PM. We will be rotating the students through sessions, and we would greatly appreciate it if you could lead a group session incorporating a focus on one of the 9 Dimensions of Wellness (cultural, financial, environmental, spiritual, occupational, social, intellectual, emotional, and physical).

We are seeking volunteers with the following experience in the following areas to support and inspire students: Interview and resume building skills, small business ownership, entrepreneurship, dentistry, truck driving (CDL), workplace professionalism, career readiness, and barbering.

We would like these sessions to be as interactive as possible and will have rotating slots for 30 minutes or 1-hour sessions, for the entire day. You can select a half-day shift and if you would like to participate for the entire day, you can select both! There will be breakfast, lunch and light refreshments for participants. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We look forward to the possibility of having you involved. 

On Thursday, April 2nd, PENCIL will host an all-day Proctor Party to prepare and match volunteer test proctors for Metro Schools in need. A proctor is required by law to help ensure the testing environment is secure and maintain test integrity. Every Metro School will need volunteer test proctors, and PENCIL is here to help!

The Proctor Party will be hosted both Virtually and In-Person throughout the day. See the schedule below.

Generally, school testing begins the week of April 13th and ends the first week in May. There will be LOTS of opportunities to proctor tests throughout these 5 weeks! All hands on deck!

Join the PENCIL Partnership Team for one hour on April 2nd to learn more about being a test proctor and to select the school you'd like to proctor in. (PLEASE NOTE: We are hosting Virtual AND In-Person sessions throughout the day - see below for the schedule, and sign up accordingly).

SURPRISE! One volunteer will be drawn AFTER testing season ends for a ROUND TRIP SOUTHWEST AIRLINES TICKET!

PROCTOR PARTY SESSION SCHEDULE:

Once you sign up, we will send you a calendar invitation for your selected time slot.

Questions can be directed to PENCIL's Director of Partnerships, Alayna Cate at acate@pencil615.org 

The Moses McKissack Race to Greatness event is an exciting opportunity to support our community and celebrate the achievements of our students. We are seeking volunteers to help with the Parade Line, which involves cheering on the students as they walk down to the event space.

Stratton Elementary School is seeking guest speakers from various career industries to participate in their annual Career Fair hosted on April 10th from 10am-12pm!

Guest speakers will be asked to host a table representing your career, industry, or organization, share insights about your professional journey, and engage with small groups of students as they rotate throughout the event! 

For questions, please contact Felicia Dismukes at Felicia.Dismukes@mnps.org and Kendra Broome at Kendra.Broome@mnps.org.

Thank you in advance for helping make this event a success for our students! 

The Whites Creek Cluster is hosting a joint Family Field Day on April 11th at Hartman Park from 10:30am-1pm and need your support to make this event a success!

Volunteers are needed to assist with set up/cleanup, lead activity stations, greet families, and more! 

Volunteers may sign up for their specific volunteer role here: Whites Creek Cluster: Whites Creek Cluster Family Field Day Volunteers

For questions, please contact Railyn Lamb at Railin.Lamb@mnps.org.

James Lawson High School would like to invite you to participate in their upcoming College and Career Fair on TUESDAY, April 14. This event will serve approximately 400 junior students and provide them with meaningful exposure to post secondary and career opportunities. Students will attend in two separate groups. Student Participation Time: 8:25–10:40 a.m.

Representatives will be provided with tables and chairs for their booths. They ask that all participating organizations sign up on PENCIL Connect OR complete the registration form link below to confirm attendance & participation.  

James Lawson High School College and Career Fair Form

Volunteers are needed to help proctor and monitor classrooms for TCAP testing. Testing will start at 8:00 am and end at around 12:30pm from April 14th to April 23rd. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time. A brief overview of proctoring will be provided via email. For questions, please contact Misty Thurman at Misty.Thurman@mnps.org.

***Hours may be tweaked slightly closer to time.

You can park in any of our 3 parking lots.

Inglewood Elementary School is in need of volunteer test proctors April 14 through 23.

Proctors are essential for all schools undergoing TCAP or end of course testing. You will help monitor students and assist the classroom teacher as students take their tests. Other volunteer functions may be assigned (such as hallway monitoring, assisting with restroom breaks, or other real-time needs of the school). 

Proctor Schedule

7:30-8:00AM - Arrival and front office checkin
8:00-8:15AM - Report to assigned classroom
8:15-8:30-AM - Assist teacher with pre-testing activities
8:30-10:00AM - Monitor students and support teacher
*Note: Your shift may vary in length, with some tests lasting 90 minutes, and some closer to 40 minutes - please be prepared for either case.

Training and Expectations

PENCIL provides training through our annual Proctor Party, hosted Thursday, April 2. You can sign up for this training here, or you may sign up to volunteer as a proctor without participating in PENCIL's training. Expect the school to also provide some short training and expectations when you arrive for your proctoring shift. 

Incentives

One lucky test proctor will receive a FREE Southwest Airlines round trip ticket as a thank you from PENCIL for volunteering in this much needed activity across MNPS! To be entered to win, you must complete a proctoring shift through one of our posted PENCIL Connect proctoring opportunities (such as this one). 

Please contact PENCIL's Director of Partnerships, Alayna Cate, acate@pencil615.org if you have any questions for PENCIL - or contact the school directly otherwise.

Thank you for volunteering!

Head Middle School is seeking volunteers to visit 7th and 8th grade classrooms and share about their career and career journeys. Through this speaker series, we hope to expose students to the paths people have taken to their profession!

This opportunity is perfect for recent college graduates and young professionals. All industries from engineers to artists are encouraged to participate!

Guest speakers may visit on either Friday, April 17th or Friday, April 24th from 10am-11am! In person is preferred, but virtual visits are welcomed as well.

For questions, please contact Chuck Brown at Chuck.Brown@mnps.org.

Thank you for making this series a success!

Join fellow ELB members for a volunteer shift at the DG PENCIL Box, PENCIL’s free teacher supply store for Metro Nashville Public Schools educators. Volunteers will help teachers shop for classroom materials, restock supplies, and keep the store running smoothly.

This volunteer opportunity is just before PENCIL's A Little Night of Music, so we will have volunteer activities to help PENCIL prepare- examples include: cutting paper and putting it in the programs, preparing auction displays, putting wine in bags for wine pull, etc.

This is a great way to see PENCIL’s mission in action and connect directly with the educators we support every day.

We’ll have two volunteer shifts available — sign up for one or stay for both!

Greetings partners and friends,

We are excited to launch a new initiative at Chadwell Elementary School (321 Port Dr., Madison, TN) designed to introduce our students to a wide variety of career paths early on.

During the second semester, we will host four Career Days, and we would be honored to have you join us as a guest speaker.

By sharing your career story, you will help inspire our students—from Kindergarten through 5th grade—and open their eyes to the many possibilities their futures can hold. Our students are eager learners, and your participation would make a meaningful impact.

Career Day Dates & Times

Tuesday, January 27 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, February 25 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, March 25 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, April 29 | 8:30–10:30 a.m.

**This page is for the April 29th date only**
(To sign up for other dates, please navigate to those postings)

Each Career Day consists of two one-hour sessions. You’ll present your career story to one group from 8:30–9:30 a.m., then move to a second classroom from 9:30–10:30 a.m. An MNPS staff member will be present in each classroom to support you throughout the visit.

Here's a Sample/suggested Schedule

7:30–8:00 a.m. – Arrive at Chadwell/Sign in at front desk

8:00–8:30 a.m. – Get settled, familiarize yourself with the school, and visit the two classrooms where you will present

8:30–8:50 a.m. – Share your career story

8:50–9:00 a.m. – Brain break/move around room/etc

9:00–9:20 a.m. – Complete activity or project (materials provided, or bring your own!)

9:20–9:30 a.m. – Q&A and/or brief break

9:30 a.m. – Transition to the second classroom and repeat the schedule

10:30 a.m. – Wrap-up and dismissal

We hope you will consider partnering with us to inspire and encourage our students. If you are interested in participating and have questions, please feel free to reach out to Kelly Richter at Kelly.Richter@mnps.org

Thank you for supporting Chadwell Elementary—we look forward to welcoming you! 

Warmly,

Kelly

Metro Nashville Public Schools is hosting its 2nd Annual MNPS Elementary Music Festival where all of the Elementary Schools come together to produce one concert. This year's event will be hosted on April 30th at Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC). Months of planning goes into this festival, and we are seeking 10 volunteers to help us make this day a huge success!

Event Agenda

Volunteers may stay the full day or sign up for shifts.

Parking directions will be given after signing up. We have a discount code for McKendree Parking lot, near the Downtown Public Library.

For questions, please contact Kara Kindall at Kkindall@mnps.org or 6159443630.

Cumberland is excited to host our ISOA BEEM Career Fair on Friday, May 1, 2026 from 11am-2pm. The Fair is designed to expose elementary children to a myriad of career options. It is unrealistic to believe that children will grow up and have a successful career if they have no concept of the options available to them and if they have never been exposed to successful professionals.

We are seeking career professionals to set up a booth displaying information on your company and/or profession, give a brief presentation to each group of students as they move throughout the fair, and provide handouts and/or child-friendly promotional items for about 500 students.

Students will rotate every 15 minutes from 12pm-1:30pm and the event will conclude with an Awards Program ending at 2pm.

For questions, please contact Dr. Monique L. Gant at MoniqueLGant@gmail.com.

Glengarry Elementary School is having a Career Fair on May 6th from 1PM to 3PM and we need your help!

We would like to have as many careers represented as possible. We want our students to get a wide variety of jobs and experiences. We would like to invite you to come and have a table at our career fair. Students will move from table to table learning about all the jobs. Please be able to explain your job within a few minutes and feel free to bring information for students to take. We will try and have an interpreter for you if needed. However, if you speak Spanish or have someone that could come with you, that is a bonus.

For questions, please reach out to Sarah Kohlman, Glengarry School Counselor at sarah.kohlman@mnps.org or 629-910-1199.

Thank you in advance for helping make this event a success for our students!

We are gearing up for our MNPS Drone Scrimmage, and we are seeking volunteers and community members to fill the stands!

This event brings together middle school teams from across the region who are competing for a coveted spot at the National Championship. Your support is crucial to the success of this event!

Event Details:

For questions, please contact Cheryl Wilson at Cheryl.Wilson@mnps.org.

Become a Lunch Buddy at Inglewood ES! 

At Inglewood Elementary, we are working hard to support our students in coming to school every day. One of our biggest challenges is chronic absenteeism, which occurs when a student misses 10 or more days of school—10% of the school year. When students are not in school, they miss valuable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect.

We know community partnerships make a powerful difference. That’s why we are inviting caring volunteers to become Lunch Buddies and invest in our students’ success. We have identified 36 students who would greatly benefit from having a consistent, encouraging adult to spend time with them.

Lunch Schedule:

Kindergarten: 11:00 AM

1st Grade: 10:55 AM

2nd Grade: 11:45 AM

3rd Grade: 12:00 PM

4th & 5th Grade: 11:10 AM

Your time, presence, and encouragement could be exactly what a student needs to feel seen, valued, and motivated to come to school each day.

If you’re interested in investing in one of our amazing students, we would love to have you join us.

Joelton Elementary's kindergarten friends are in need of monitors to help with their computers during their WIN time ("What I Need" - this is a personalized learning time). Kindergarten WIN time is Monday-Friday from 10:15am-11:00am.

This is a daily occurrence in their schedule, but volunteers can support at their desired frequency - one time, weekly, whenever you are available!

Please contact Sarah Finney at sfinney@fcsnashville.org for more information.

Share the Joy of Reading with our Lions of Literacy! 
Are you passionate about storytelling, literacy, and connecting with young minds? Our school is inviting dedicated volunteers to join us in a special reading initiative aimed at inspiring a love of books and boosting student confidence

What’s Involved: 
Join us three days a week from Tuesday- Thursday for an hour blocks to read aloud with students, spark conversation, and build lasting relationships through literature. Your time and presence make all the difference.

Days Needed: Flexible scheduling available—let us know your preferred days! 
Time Commitment: 1 hours per day: Tues. Wed. Thur. 9 am - 1 pm
Location: 455 Rural Hill Rd | Nashville TN 37217 | lakeview@mnps.org

Antioch High School is needing help to refresh and reorganize the Resource Center so that it is efficient and ready to meet the needs of our students and family. Please contact Shatina Marshall if you/your team would like to help give the Antioch Resource Center a Refresh. The space is located on the Antioch High School campus.

When: Ongoing, starting Aug. 4th

We are seeking volunteers (18+) to assist in our school libraries with weekly shelving and collection maintenance. We also need volunteers willing to help on occasion with special projects. Volunteers must complete and pass a background check before participating. Upon Registration, you will receive a secondary email asking for more information about your interest. Please check your email. 

Once registration is complete, you'll be matched with a school in need as a Volunteer or Special Project Volunteer.

Volunteers commit to a regular schedule for volunteering to help shelve books, inventory new arrivals, and help with unboxing of new materials. Special Project Volunteers will be contacted as needs arise to assist with collection inventory and relocation.

En Espanol:

Buscamos voluntarios (mayores de 18 años) para ayudar en nuestras bibliotecas escolares con el mantenimiento semanal de estanterías y colecciones. También necesitamos voluntarios dispuestos a ayudar ocasionalmente en proyectos especiales. Los voluntarios deben completar y pasar una verificación de antecedentes antes de participar. Al registrarse, recibirá un correo electrónico secundario solicitando más información sobre su interés. Por favor, compruebe su correo electrónico. 

Una vez completado el registro, se le asignará una escuela necesitada como Voluntario o Voluntario de Proyectos Especiales.

Los voluntarios se comprometen a cumplir un horario regular para ayudar a archivar los libros, hacer inventario de los recién llegados y ayudar a desembalar los nuevos materiales. Los voluntarios de proyectos especiales serán contactados cuando surjan necesidades para ayudar con el inventario y la reubicación de la colección.

Tasks, such has unpacking new books and assisting with collection moves, may require lifting 10-20 lbs.

Volunteers will not be working directly with students.

For more information, please contact Lindsey Kimery, Coordinator or Library Services via email at lindsey.kimery@mnps.org. 

En Espanol:

Las tareas, como desembalar libros nuevos y ayudar a trasladar colecciones, pueden requerir levantar de 10 a 20 libras.

Los voluntarios no trabajarán directamente con los estudiantes.

Para obtener más información, póngase en contacto con Lindsey Kimery, Coordinadora de Servicios Bibliotecarios, por correo electrónico en lindsey.kimery@mnps.org .

Our High School counselors and Front Office organize student packets every week. We need help from volunteers to sort and stuff these folders.

Occasionally, we may need support with other similar, light tasks.

This support is needed each week on Tuesday. We'll accept a one-time sign up or weekly commitment.

Dress: Please dress comfortable and appropriately for a school setting. Closed-toed shoes are suggested.

Parking: STEM Prep High School is located at 1252 Foster Ave. You can park in the front lot. You'll see a large blue mural.

Check In: Please check-in at the Front Office and have your picture ID ready.

Let us know if you can commit to coming in weekly on Tuesdays or for a one-time sign up. Your initial point of contact is Jeremy Quiñonez, jquinonez@stemprepacademy.org. 

As part of combining STEAM and AVID in my building, I'm setting up a Career Speaker Series for my students. My goal is to have Career Speakers in my classes bi-weekly, then have my students create a video/podcast episode that can be distributed to the rest of the student body. 

I'd love to get as many different careers represented as possible with as wide a range as possible...from common to uncommon. 

If you are interested, please complete the interest form.

Weekly Reading Partners (Grades K–2)

We are seeking 20–30 volunteers to provide 20-minute reading support sessions during our Hive Thrive times.

Register here and get connected with school Community Coordinator, Rikitta Dews.

This is a fun way to celebrate student success and keep them motivated! Students who earn enough credits during the week can shop at the Student Store during lunch. We need an extra hand to pass out the items they purchase, organize materials, and greet our students.

Our students are working in teams to develop innovative business ideas, and we are looking for professionals to guide and support them through this entrepreneurial journey. If you know of any individuals or businesses that would be interested in mentoring our business management seniors, please spread the word!

Program Details:

J.E. Moss Elementary is looking for female and male volunteers to serve as Lunch Buddies for students. Lunch Buddies is designed to help reach students who would benefit from having an additional positive role model. The Lunch Buddy Program helps create healthy attitudes and behavior in youth, as well as provide skills, resources, and positive experiences that will aid them in becoming successful, productive citizens. We ask that volunteers commit to weekly or bi-weekly lunch visits with students. All volunteers are required to complete a Background Check through PENCIL before pairing with a student. If interested, notify us of the lunch time that you'd prefer to volunteer for this. The Lunch Buddies Program will run from January 2026 to May 2026.