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Volunteer Opportunities

Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) is excited to get you—our families, alumni, community members, local businesses, faith-based organizations, and more—involved in making a difference in the lives of students. 

Whether you can volunteer for just a day or a few hours a week, there are many ways to support a school or a district department here at MPS.

Types of Volunteer Opportunities

Individual Volunteering

MPS offers a variety of opportunities at our local schools, including mentoring, tutoring, chaperoning field trips, coaching, or assisting with school events. Each school has their own list of opportunities that is specific to their needs. Some opportunities will be ongoing while others may be one-time events.

Group Volunteering

Local businesses, churches, or other small groups looking for opportunities to serve can engage in one-day events where they can do a variety of activities, including reading to students, beautifying the indoors or outdoors (planting flowers, painting murals, organizing classrooms, etc.), or providing job readiness assistance. MPS community partners who are looking for workplace opportunities can engage in donation drives to support students with school supplies, hygiene products, or winter apparel/accessories. Groups interested in learning more should email volunteer@milwaukee.k12.wi.us.

Volunteer Process

MPS has two different onboarding processes for volunteers depending on the amount of time they are serving (one-time versus ongoing). Before beginning the application process, contact the parent coordinator at your desired school or your selected MPS department to receive a volunteer assignment.

Volunteers are encouraged to identify a school that is close to their home or workplace and contact the parent coordinator to learn about any available opportunities. Looking for a school to volunteer at in your neighborhood? Use our School Finder Map to locate the MPS school closest to you.

Ongoing Volunteers: VicNet Account System

Volunteers who serve on a regular basis (i.e. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays) OR for more than five hours per week

If you are volunteering on an ongoing basis, you will be provided with a VicNet account to upload your required forms and log your volunteer hours. The step-by-step instructions below include how to activate your account.

  1. Contact MPS Volunteer Services Associate Tamara Martinsek at martta2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or call 414-773-9823.
  2. Complete the Online Volunteer Application. 
  3. Wait for your approval email. When you get it, activate your VicNet account by visiting the VicNet website, entering the email address you used on your application, and entering the temporary password provided in your approval email.  
  4. Download the Volunteer Agreement Form and Placement Form, complete them both, and upload them to your account.
  5. Begin tracking your volunteer hours using VicNet!

Log In to VicNet

If you have any problems activating your account, contact volunteer@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. Note: If you need to reset your password, click "Password Reset" and wait for an email from Volgistics. (This may take several minutes.)

One-Time Volunteers

Volunteers who serve for one-time opportunities (i.e. chaperone for daytime fieldtrips, school event helper, presenter for Career Day)

  1. Complete the Volunteer Waiver Form and submit it to the supervising staff for your assigned opportunity.*
  2. Participate in provided training or orientation for your assignment (if needed).
  3. Complete the One-Time Volunteer Hours Submission Form after volunteering at the school activity or event.

*If you have not been assigned to an opportunity, please do not complete the Volunteer Waiver Form.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

More Information

For more information about volunteering at MPS, please contact MPS Volunteer Services Associate Tamara Martinsek at martta2@milwaukee.k12.wi.us or call 414-773-9823.