Student Volunteers

Overview

Junior high and high school students have the opportunity to volunteer at Prairie Elementary Schools, gaining valuable experience while helping younger students and teachers. This program allows students to give back to their community and earn volunteer service hours.

How to Get Started

Step 1: Express Interest

Visit your school’s counseling office and tell your counselor you’d like to volunteer at an elementary school.

Step 2: Complete Required Applications

Your counselor will have you fill out two online forms:

Step 3: Wait for Confirmation

After submitting your forms, watch your email for a Volunteer Placement Confirmation Email with details about:

  • Day and time of volunteering
  • School location
  • Additional instructions

Please be patient – our Volunteer Coordinator needs time to confirm placements with teachers.

Requirements by Grade Level

7th-8th Grade (Prairie Point Middle School)

  • Academic Requirement: Maintain C or better in all classes (reviewed each grading period)
  • Schedule: 2:45-3:50/4:00 PM on assigned days
  • Transportation: Must ride shuttle bus to elementary schools
  • Special Note: To volunteer at Heights Elementary, inform the bus driver immediately upon boarding to be dropped off to volunteer at Heights

9th Grade (Prairie 9th Grade Center)

  • Academic Requirement: Maintain C or better in all classes (reviewed each grading period)
  • Schedule: 3:30-4:00/4:15 PM on assigned days
  • Transportation: Walk from 9th Grade Center to elementary schools
  • Limitation: Only main campus elementary buildings due to transportation and bell schedule constraints
  • Season: Placements run from after Labor Day through May 1st

10th-12th Grade (Prairie High School)

  • Schedule: After school, during princiapl approved free periods or designated volunteer times
  • Requirements:
    • No code of conduct violations in the last semester
    • Face-to-face meeting with District Volunteer Coordinator required
    • Must sign in/out of both high school and volunteer building offices
  • ID Required: Government-issued ID needed for building sign-in systems
  • Season: Placements available from after Labor Day through May 1

Important Guidelines for All Students

Before You Start

  • Complete all required applications and background checks
  • Meet with counselors and/or volunteer coordinator as required
  • Understand your schedule and transportation arrangements

During Volunteering

  • Dress Code: Dress appropriately for an elementary classroom setting
  • Punctuality: Arrive on time – teachers depend on you!
  • Communication: Email or contact your teacher if you cannot attend your scheduled day
  • Behavior: Remember you’re a role model for younger students
  • Sign-In/Out: Always check in at the main office with your ID at the Raptor Kiosk

Weather/Schedule Changes

  • No volunteering on 2-hour delay days or early dismissal days
  • Follow all school district safety guidelines

Volunteer Service Award Program

Prairie High School offers a Volunteer Service Award for graduating students who complete required volunteer hours.

Hour Requirements

  • Classes of 2026, 2027 & 2028: 180 hours during grades 10-12
  • Class of 2029: 240 hours during grades 9-12
  • Hours must be accumulated in at least 2 of these 3 areas:
    • School activities
    • Community service
    • Religious organization

Recognition

Recipients receive a silver cord to wear at graduation during Senior Recognition Day in May.

Hour Tracking

Use VectorSolutions/Vector Pathways to log and verify volunteer hours:

  • Access through: VectorSolutions Login
  • Sign in with your school Google account
  • Select “PHS Volunteer Cord” group
  • Maximum 20 hours per event/day
  • All hours must be verified by email through the system

Special Programs

Early Childhood Education Volunteering

Students interested in volunteering with preschool classrooms must contact the Early Childhood Education Center at 319-848-5296 for additional background screenings and fingerprinting.

Key Club Members

Key Club members may bank up to 24 hours per year from service projects toward the Volunteer Service Cord. These hours are automatically added – do not submit them separately.

Teaching Assistant/Tutor Positions

Students assigned as classroom TAs earn 60 volunteer hours per semester.

Contact Information

Questions About Volunteering

Additional Resources

Transportation & Pickup Information

Middle School Students

  • Ride shuttle bus from Point to elementary schools
  • Parents must pick up by 3:50/4:00 PM
  • Cannot ride elementary/high school bus routes home

9th Grade Students

  • Walk from 9th Grade Center to elementary buildings
  • Parents must pick up by 3:50/4:00 PM
  • Cannot ride elementary bus routes home

High School Students

  • Transportation during school day for volunteer periods
  • Must sign out of high school and into volunteer building
  • Parents must pick up or student must sign out and leave the building by 3:50/4:00 PM

Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Your service makes a positive impact on our elementary students and contributes to our strong Prairie community.