Volunteering at PSCS

If you are interested in learning more about Puget Sound Community School, a great way to get involved is as a volunteer. People interested in education, those with a few extra hours a week, and anyone who has a passion they'd like to share are encouraged to consider volunteering at PSCS. As a community-based school we rely heavily on volunteers and want to make your volunteer experience a good one! Thank you for your interest!

Frequently Asked Questions about Volunteering at PSCS

Why Should I Become a PSCS Volunteer?
Sharing something you love with a group of interested students is both energizing and rewarding. Volunteers often gain new clarity and a fresh perspective surrounding their subject of choice. Young people often have a way of "pushing the envelope" that encourages these new insights.
Volunteers have the opportunity to make a real and positive impact on the lives of these youth. You may spark a new interest for a student or help them deepen their knowledge in a subject area they're already pursuing. You will become a role model for these young adults, helping them gain a sense of themselves and their role in the wider community.

Volunteering at PSCS is also a chance to gain experience working with youth. It is a chance to learn or refine your ability to express what you know, in ways that others can understand.

We also invite volunteers to become a part of the PSCS community. You receive a complimentary subscription to the school newsletter, are welcome to join any of our email distribution lists (everything from dialogues to announcements about events), and are cordially invited to join us at community gatherings and events. We're a diverse and interesting group of enthusiastic people!
Who Can Be a PSCS Volunteer?
Our primary requirement for volunteers is a desire to share something about which they are passionate. Basically, anyone willing and able to provide a group of our students with a learning opportunity is encouraged to participate in our program. (NOTE: We use Washington State Patrol background checks for all volunteers at PSCS to help ensure the safety of our students. We very much appreciate your cooperation in this process.)
What is My Role as a Volunteer?
The essential work of a volunteer is helping young people follow their integrity and realize who they are and what they can do. This is best done by gently nurturing the growth of students, supervising their activities while providing appropriate challenges and constructive feedback in an atmosphere of inspiration, trust, courage, and respect. You are free to structure your activity in a way that is comfortable for you. Design and facilitate your own class activities and establish requirements and homework as appropriate.
The "behind-the-scenes" work of a PSCS volunteer is good communications with both the students and the school. It is important to be clear about your expectations for your students. There are no formal evaluations of any kind at PSCS. However, students may, at their own initiative, ask for your opinion on what/how they are doing. So, when requested, we encourage you to offer them feedback from your perspective as a facilitator of the activity. To allow for individual preferences, we ask each volunteer to arrange their desired communication method with their students, rather than publish volunteer contact information.

We also ask that you keep school staff informed of unexplained absences and to let us know if you have any concerns or questions about your activity or a student. In addition, please let us know as soon as possible if you will be unable to attend a scheduled session of your activity. We would like you to be present as often as possible, but understand that conflicts do occur.
How Do I Become Involved in the Program?
To help ensure a positive experience for both students and volunteers, all potential volunteers are required to attend a school orientation session. Simply, this is handled through a visit to the school where you will meet with students and staff members and could observe first-hand PSCS in action.
What if I Really Want to Get Involved, But....?
We know some of you are going to be very interested in volunteering, but perhaps you live in another state/country or you aren't available during weekdays or you don't have transportation to our site. Don't despair, it's still possible for you to volunteer to lead an online activity. Online activities generally take the form of weekly dialogues, initiated by the facilitator with a question or assignment. Students then respond, via an email distribution list, with their answers and experiences - triggering an online dialogue with other students.
PSCS online tutorials are open to all PSCS students, their families, as well as to anyone with an email address. Students of all ages regularly participate from around the world.
Who Do I Call for More Information?
If you have questions or would like to speak with someone from PSCS, please feel free to contact our office. We can be reached at 206-324-4350 or via email.

Forms useful for PSCS volunteers