The VIBES (Volunteers in Bellevue’s Education System) program is looking for volunteers to work with Bellevue students this year.
Supported by Bellevue Schools Foundation, the city of Bellevue, and Bellevue School District, VIBES is a well-established program that puts community volunteers to work in every school across the district. Data shows that the vast majority of students working with VIBES volunteers show improvement in their work habits, academics, and personal growth.
Last year, more than 700 volunteers donated nearly 20,000 hours of their time to support Bellevue students.
A wide range of opportunities are available, including:
One-on-one mentoring: Meet weekly with the same student. Students get one-on-one attention from a caring adult. Opportunities available at every school across the district.
Small group/classroom tutoring: Support all students in a classroom. Volunteers may circulate throughout the room, helping students who need extra assistance, or may work with small groups of students. Opportunities available at every school across the district.
College Corps: Help high school seniors with college research, applications, personal statements, and scholarship essays. College Corps runs from early October through January. Opportunities available at Bellevue, Interlake, Newport, and Sammamish high schools.
Dual-language programs: Fluent Spanish and Mandarin speakers can put their skills to work supporting individual students, small groups, or entire classrooms while at the same time modeling language skills. Opportunities available for Spanish speakers at Lake Hills, Stevenson, and Sherwood Forest elementary schools and Mandarin speakers at Jing Mei Elementary School.
Transition Services Center at Interlake High School: Work with 18-21-year-old students with disabilities to help them reach their potential as independent adults. Opportunities include one-on-one conversation and support, group discussion facilitation, and more. Internship opportunities for students to practice their skills in real-world settings are also needed.
Bellevue Big Picture School: Share your expertise and passion with students interested in your profession.Mentor a student or small group during the school day, host a high school student intern for 10 weeks, participate in Job Shadow Day, or serve as a guest speaker.
STEM: Help prepare students for post-high school studies and careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) professions.Volunteers can support teachers during the process of problem formulation, facilitate small problem-solving groups, evaluate products created by student teams, or work one-on-one with students who need extra support. Many opportunities available at Sammamish High School. Other STEM opportunities, including support for robotics clubs, available at schools across the district.
AVID: Facilitate small group discussions among AVID (Advancement via Individual Determination) students. AVID is a student-support program designed to ensure that all students, especially the students in the middle, complete a college preparatory path. Opportunities available at middle and high schools across the district.
No prior experience is necessary and training is provided. Potential volunteers should complete an application packet (available at bsd405.org) and attend a program orientation. Orientation sessions are held two days each month, with a day and evening session offered each day. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Oct. 17 and Nov. 5.
More information is available by calling 425-456-4154 or via email vibes@bsd405.org.
