Welcome to Berkeley Schools Volunteers (BSV)!
Our 1,200+ volunteers bring needed support, expertise and resources to the students, families, staff and schools of Berkeley Unified, week in and week out. The Berkeley Schools Volunteer community is committed to ensuring all students receive the benefits of an excellent public education.
A Note to Parents/Guardians
If you are a parent/guardian looking to volunteer in your own child’s classroom, the California Education Code gives you this right without requiring advanced screening through an intermediary like Berkeley Schools Volunteers. (This right is not extended, however, if you volunteer beyond your child’s classroom or to other non-parent family members.) Parents would still need the permission of their child’s teacher first to volunteer. That being said, many parents still choose to volunteer with BSV.
Benefits of Joining BSV
Parents/guardians eager to volunteer in classrooms are strongly encouraged to join BSV’s Classroom Volunteers program, as it brings additional benefits: an orientation that provides essential guidance on how to best support learning in the classroom, access to BSV’s ongoing volunteers trainings (all led by BUSD content experts), an official BSV name badge, and membership in a community of like-minded volunteers.
Parents eager to offer volunteer support but wanting more flexibility or with less time to give, please consider joining BSV’s School Support Volunteers program.
Learn about both volunteer programs by clicking on the tiles below.
BSV Classroom Volunteers are matched with BUSD Host Teachers requesting extra support in the classroom. Volunteers may request specific grade levels, subject areas, and often bring much needed expertise to BUSD classrooms. Volunteers support students 1:1, in small groups and whole class, as well as provide behind-the-scenes support to educators. Classroom Volunteers commit to at least an hour a week for the school year.
BSV School Support Volunteers support youth, families and staff outside of the classroom. They are a responsive group that is activated based on direct needs identified by our school community. School Support Volunteers can sign up for an ongoing commitment or a one-time event.