Newsletter June 2025

Leading Parents—In Schools,

at Home, and Behind Bars

A Huge Public School Volunteer Week 2025: Celebrating Volunteer Power Nationwide!

From April 21–25, schools across the country came together to celebrate Project Appleseed's 28th Annual Public School Volunteer Week—an unforgettable week of appreciation and action. From coast to coast, thousands of dedicated parents, caregivers, and community members stepped up to support learning, build relationships, and strengthen school communities. Schools honored these everyday heroes through events, proclamations, and heartfelt thanks, spotlighting the vital role volunteers play in shaping student success and creating welcoming, thriving schools.

In Puyallup School District (WA), more than 8,700 volunteers—from dedicated parents and grandparents to engaged community leaders—contributed their time and talents to classrooms, events, and mentoring programs. Across the state, Olympia School District honored over 3,000 volunteers with a special school board proclamation. Superintendent Patrick Murphy described their contributions as “integral to student learning,” applauding their role in building strong home–school partnerships.

In Anderson School District One (SC), the district celebrated nearly 1,900 volunteers who supported classrooms, chaperoned field trips, and helped reinforce instructional goals—showcasing a powerful example of community-wide involvement.

Further west, Lompoc Unified (CA) saw enthusiastic participation from staff and families, who took to social media to express gratitude for the hundreds of volunteers that brought energy and support into their schools.

Meanwhile, in Prince William County (VA), the school board issued an official proclamation saluting the wide-ranging impact of volunteers—from mentoring to school-wide support—and encouraged continued involvement across all educational levels.

🌟 Why It Matters

Volunteers are the heart of our schools. Their presence:

✅ Strengthens school-home connections


✅ Enhances student learning environments


✅ Builds trust and engagement within communities


✅ Promotes a culture of shared responsibility

📦 Keep the Momentum Going!

Let’s turn appreciation into action. Project Appleseed’s Family Engagement Toolbox and Parent Activity Handbook provide the tools, strategies, and inspiration schools need to deepen family engagement and build on the energy of Volunteer Week.

• Explore the Toolbox »


• See Activity Ideas »

Together, let’s celebrate, empower, and sustain the incredible spirit of volunteerism all year long!
 

Introducing Graduate School for Parents:


Empowering Families, Strengthening Schools

Project Appleseed’s Graduate School for Parents is more than professional development—it’s a movement to transform how schools engage families. Designed for educators, parent leaders, and community partners, this research-based program helps you build authentic, equitable partnerships through the Six Slices of Family Engagement.

What sets this training apart? It includes trauma-informed practices that equip school staff and families with the tools to create safe, supportive environments where every child—and every parent—can thrive. Whether your school is new to engagement or ready to go deeper, our customizable sessions help reduce barriers, build trust, and elevate student achievement.

From Title I schools to districtwide initiatives, this is your opportunity to build stronger partnerships, increase equity, and create lasting impact.

🎓 Learn more and enroll your school today:
👉 https://www.projectappleseed.org/workshop-professional-development

  Ignite Your Family Engagement Journey
with

Our New Traveling Workshops 

Ready to enhance the connection between families and your school? Project Appleseed’s Traveling Workshops deliver practical, research-based solutions to elevate family engagement.

We’re proud to introduce our New Two-Day Traveling Workshop, a comprehensive program covering both foundational principles and long-term strategies for sustainable success. Plus, we’re excited to offer these workshops in St. Louis, the hometown of Project Appleseed and founder Kevin Walker.

What to Expect:

Day 1: The Essentials of Family Engagement

• Discover core principles and proven strategies to involve parents in meaningful ways that boost student achievement.

New! Day 2: Long-Range Planning for Sustainable Engagement

• Collaborate with your team to develop a tailored multi-year action plan that’s systemic, culturally responsive, and built for lasting impact.

Our conveniently located St. Louis sessions offer the same expert guidance as our onsite workshops, with flexible scheduling to meet your needs. Participants in both formats receive resources from the Family Engagement Toolbox, a curated set of tools to support your engagement goals.

Don’t miss this opportunity to build strong, lasting family-school partnerships. Schedule your workshop today and take the first step toward transformative family engagement!

Learn More & Schedule Your Workshop
 

Featured Resource: The Family Engagement Toolbox

Achieving sustainable family engagement starts with having the right tools. The Family Engagement Toolbox equips schools with:

• Welcome Strategies: Simple ways to make families feel included from day one.

• Parent Communication Tips: Techniques to ensure consistent, effective dialogue between schools and families.

• Standards-Aligned Activities: A collection of over 100 activities designed to connect families, schools, and communities.

Whether you’re organizing a workshop, planning a volunteer week, or looking for daily engagement strategies, the Family Engagement Toolbox has you covered.

Reaching the Hardest-to-Reach:


Project Appleseed Supports Incarcerated Parents

At Project Appleseed, we believe every parent—no matter their circumstances—deserves the opportunity to stay involved in their child’s education. That’s why we’re expanding our efforts to reach one of the most often overlooked communities in family engagement: incarcerated parents.

Recently, we received a heartfelt letter from a father in a Nevada correctional facility who remains deeply committed to his daughter’s life. “I have an eleven-year-old daughter who I speak to multiple times a week. I was an active father until my incarceration just before her ninth birthday,” he shared. “I love her dearly and want to be the best father I can be despite the circumstances. If your organization has anything that can help, I’d greatly appreciate it.”

In response, Project Appleseed is sending our Family Engagement Toolbox free of charge to incarcerated parents who reach out. The toolbox includes our Parent Engagement Pledge, Parent Involvement Report Card, and additional resources designed to keep parents connected, informed, and empowered—regardless of where they are.

Parenting from prison is difficult—but not impossible. With empathy, tools, and support, incarcerated parents can still play a vital role in their children’s lives. Project Appleseed is proud to stand beside them.

Learn more or support this initiative: www.projectappleseed.org/parenting-prison

Go to Project Appleseed!

 © Copyright 2025  

Project Appleseed


The National Campaign for Public School Improvement


520 Melville Avenue c/o Side Street


St. Louis, MO, 63130-4505


Phone: (314) 292-9760 


headquarters@projectappleseed.org