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.

Smile! It’s Picture Day at Old Center Elementary on Monday, November 4.

We’re looking for friendly volunteers to help keep the day running smoothly by assisting with student line-up, managing photo order forms, and helping classes stay on schedule.

Shifts available: 

Your support helps make Picture Day a fun and organized experience for all students!

McKissack Middle is seeking volunteers to help set up and run booths at their annual Fall Festival. 

Supporters are also welcome to donate treats if they are interested. 

For further questions, contact Alonzo Rhodes at alonzo.rhodes@mnps.org

We received a number of incentive items (games, popcorn machines, etc.) that we plan to lend out to schools for school wide incentives (Field Days, Award Ceremonies, Attendance Celebrations, Movie Nights, etc.). We need items to be unboxed, cataloged, packaged and complete documentation.

We're looking for volunteers to help open, unpack, and prepare the items for checkout. Items contents will be typed up, printed, and laminated (laptop, printer, and laminator will be provided). 

We will have some snacks and water available. We ask that volunteers wear closed toed shoes. Parking is available in front of the building.

About VAPA - True to our Music City roots, the arts are a key focus in Metro Nashville Public Schools. The Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) Department operates on the principle that the arts are vital to a well-rounded education and work to nurture the creative potential of all children and provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their academic, professional, and personal lives.

Event Information – Celebration of Schools featuring the Metro Marching Classic

The Metro Marching Classic serves as a showcase event where all the marching bands from Nashville's Metro Schools district come together to perform. This creates a unique opportunity for students, families, and the community to see performances from multiple schools in one venue.

Volunteer Assignments - Volunteers will be stationed in multiple locations through the stadium to help our high school band members.

We will use volunteers to help students on and off the field, manage the instrument storage area, move students down the field for pictures or for the video cameras to capture them, hand off school banners, give parking directions, deliver food to the students, and help students know where the closest restrooms are.

Shifts - We will need a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 10 volunteers for each shift to successfully run this event.

9:00AM-1:00PM

12:00PM-4:0PM

3:00PM-7:00PM

Logistics and Parking - Park in Lot G or M (away from the school buses) Enter through Gate 4 of the Nissan Stadium to check-in and receive volunteer badge / Gate staff will know who to radio for volunteer placement There is a clear bag policy at Nissan Stadium plus no umbrellas.

Contact Kara Kindall, Coordinator of the Performing Arts at Kara.kindall@mnps.org

Wisdom Wednesday presenters are community volunteers, partners that commit to one-hour (or 2 hours) of engaging programming around a career field and enriching activities. Volunteers representing programs/curriculums will prepare a 45-minute lesson and activity for students. Volunteers that are not facilitators of a program should plan for a Career Day-style presentation for students. 

Qualifications: Must be 18 or older 

Must be available at the agreed upon date and time 

Parking Information: Will be detailed in email after partners commit to Wisdom Wednesday. 

Appropriate Attire (if different from above): Casual attire 

Encouraged to wear t-shirt/clothing with logos of employer, agency, or university with which you are affiliated. 

Where will volunteers need to report: Report to the front office. You must have your driver’s license or other government issued id to check in to the school. 

Point of contact for Wisdom Wednesday: Jemeika Houston 

Contact number for this person (cell) (if different from above): 629-910-4778 

Email address for this person: (if different from above) -  jemeika.houston@mnps.org

A few tips: 

Please plan to arrive to Bellshire Elementary 10-15 minutes prior to your scheduled start time. 

You can park in available parking spots 

Bring your id and check in at the main office. Someone will assist you in getting to the right classroom. 

Do’s &Don’ts 

Do - Tell your student about yourself- they love hearing about what adults were like in middle school! 

Do - Share how you arrived at your current career/position. What jobs/experiences did you have along the way that got you here? 

Do - Find a way to engage students. Is there a point in the presentation that students could reflect/brainstorm/respond? In-person speakers can do this throughout. Virtual presenters- ask the teacher to allow a few students to share their comments with you. 

Do - If there is a handout or document that you want the students to have while you speak, please arrive with 25 copies. Virtual speakers, make sure you send any printing requests 48 prior to your presentation. 

Don’t bring in outside food students. Small candies as rewards for engagement are permitted. 

Don’t arrange to meet any student outside of school or exchange phone numbers 

Do not be discouraged if your students are shy at first- this is a new initiative and students are acclimating to Wisdom Wednesday. 

Join VSVS (Vanderbilt Student Volunteers for Science) as they help Dodson Elementary 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!  

Celebrate the season of gratitude by volunteering at Old Center Elementary’s Thanksgiving Lunch on Monday, November 18!

We’re looking for 4 volunteers to help between 10:00 AM and 12:30 PM as we serve Pre-K - 2nd grade students and families.

Volunteers will assist with welcoming guests and helping families through the lunch line.

Help us make this a warm and welcoming celebration for our school community!

For questions, contact Erin Arnold @ eringrace829@gmail.com.

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

The Dove Store is part of Hull-Jackson’s PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Support) initiative, where students earn points for positive behavior and redeem them for fun items.

Volunteers will:

Event Details:

Help us celebrate and reward positive behavior in our students!

Spread some holiday cheer by volunteering at Old Center Elementary’s Holiday Lunch on Monday, December 16!

We’re looking for 4 volunteers to help from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM as we serve 3rd - 5th grade students and families.

Volunteers will assist with welcoming guests and helping families through the lunch line.

Your time and support help make this a joyful celebration for our school community!

For questions, contact Erin Arnold at eringrace829@gmail.com.

Thomas A. Edison Elementary is hosting its annual Gift of Reading event—an exciting celebration of literacy and imagination!

Volunteers are invited to bring a children’s book to read aloud to a kindergarten student and then “gift” the book to them as

a special keepsake. This event promotes a love of reading, encourages meaningful connections between students and

community members, and celebrates the joy of giving during the holiday season.

Hosted by the Thomas Edison Elementary Literacy Team, this Whoville-inspired event will fill the day with warmth, smiles,

and the magic of storytelling.

Agenda & Volunteer Process:

Arrival at Scheduled Time:
Volunteers will arrive at the time they selected during registration and check in at the front table upon entering the school.

Matching with Students:
Once checked in, each volunteer will be matched with a kindergarten student to share a special reading experience.

Reading & Gifting:
Volunteers will read their selected book aloud to the student and then gift the book to them as a keepsake to encourage

a love for reading.

Photos & Farewell:
After reading, volunteers are welcome to take a photo with their student to capture the moment before wrapping up

their session.

Departure:
Volunteers may leave after their session concludes or stay to assist with other students if additional time slots

are available.

Please use this link to sign up for a shift: 

https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=V4KCxhBkfkC1V7XcchHeVbFqdqHj1eZOlzQ3F7KHGIBUQ1k3RzhIRFNIUDMyWEVQSlczN04xQjVCSi4u&origin=Invitation&chann

For questions, contact DaVeon Hall at djhall@mnps.org.

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

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.

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.