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Project Appleseed engages parents and families in America's public schools!
Welcome to the Home of National Parental Involvement Day & Public School Volunteer Week!
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What Is Public School Volunteer Week?
Public School Volunteer Week (PSVW), April 20–24, 2026, is a national celebration recognizing the essential role families and community members play in strengthening public schools. Sponsored by Project Appleseed, PSVW honors volunteers not just for their time, but for their impact on student learning, school culture, and shared responsibility for school improvement.
Public School Volunteer Week is observed annually during the third full week of April. It shines a spotlight on the millions of parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members who support students and schools every day.
PSVW emphasizes that volunteering is more than helping out—it is a powerful form of family engagement that builds trust, improves outcomes, and connects schools more deeply to the communities they serve.
Why Public School Volunteers Matter
When families and community members are welcomed as partners, schools become stronger and more responsive to students’ needs.
Volunteers Help Schools:
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Strengthen relationships between families and educators
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Support student learning and development
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Build positive school climate and culture
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Increase shared ownership and trust
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Expand capacity beyond the school day
How Schools Celebrate Public School Volunteer Week
Schools and districts across the country mark PSVW in ways that reflect their local communities.
Common Activities Include:
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Volunteer appreciation events and assemblies
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Classroom and schoolwide recognition
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Student-created thank-you cards or displays
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School board or superintendent proclamations
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Highlighting volunteer stories in newsletters and social media
The goal is not just recognition, but reinforcing the message that volunteers are valued partners in education.
Last year, in the 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.
Take Action
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Plan your Public School Volunteer Week celebration
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Use Project Appleseed tools and resources to support volunteers
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Recognize families and community members as essential partners
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Make every week a week that values engagement
Public schools thrive when families and communities are engaged—Public School Volunteer Week reminds us why that partnership matters.
Ideas to Get Started
Public School Volunteer Week works best when it is intentional and inclusive.
Try These Approaches:
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Invite families into learning-connected roles
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Recognize volunteers publicly and personally
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Ensure opportunities are flexible and accessible
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Highlight diverse ways families contribute, both in and out of school
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Use PSVW as a springboard for year-round engagement
Beyond One Week
Public School Volunteer Week is part of a larger vision: making family and community engagement a sustained practice, not a one-time event.
When schools commit to welcoming families as partners all year long, volunteerism becomes embedded in the culture of school improvement.
Make Every Week Volunteer Week
Don’t let the celebration end here. Sign the Parent Engagement Pledge, get the Family Engagement Toolbox, or reach out for support to build a stronger engagement plan.Let’s keep lifting up our volunteers—and empowering families to shape the future of public education.
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Set Your School Up for Success with the
Family Engagement Toolbox & Parent Activity Handbook
To help schools sustain and grow their volunteer programs, Project Appleseed’s Family Engagement Toolbox offers valuable resources, templates, and strategies to build long-lasting family-school partnerships. Whether you’re looking for ways to enhance communication, increase parental involvement, or plan engaging events, this toolbox provides a structured approach to fostering a culture of collaboration and support.
Additionally, the Parent Activity Handbook is an essential tool for schools and families looking to engage more deeply in student learning. Packed with practical ideas and activities, it helps parents take an active role in their child’s education both at school and at home. Encourage families to explore the handbook and use it as a resource to support students year-round.
By celebrating Public School Volunteer Week today and preparing for next year, we can ensure that every school benefits from the power of engaged families. Let’s make this week count and continue to build strong school communities together!
Historic Highlights
#PublicSchoolVolunteerWeek 2025 on Social Media
Thank you for celebrating one of the oldest family engagement events in America!
Public School Volunteer Week cannot take place without the support of parents, educators, school boards, sponsors, partners, speakers, staff, and the attendees themselves. Project Appleseed wants to show our gratitude to all those who helped make Public School Volunteer Week a success. Here's a look at hundreds of past and present events across the country!
Celebrate Public School Volunteer Week Your Way!
Public School Volunteer Week (April 21-25, 2025) is the perfect time to highlight the power of family engagement in your schools. Make this celebration your own—whether through special events, outreach efforts, or creative initiatives that bring families and educators together. Let us know how you’re celebrating!
Here are some great ways to get involved:
✅ 150 Days of Family Engagement – Extend the impact beyond just one day!
✅ Thank and Recruit Families – Show appreciation and invite more parents to engage.
✅ Parent | School Checklist – A guide to strengthen family-school partnerships.
✅ Ideas for Proclamations & Resolutions – Make your commitment official.
Teamwork Makes the Difference!
Project Appleseed’s Parent Engagement Toolbox – Resources to support your efforts.
A successful celebration involves parents, educators, employers, and mentors working together to bridge the connection between home and school. Strong partnerships lead to student success!
Take Action Today:
📌 Sign the Parental Involvement Pledge
📌 Download the Parental Involvement Pledge (PDF)
📌 Use the Parental Involvement Report Card (PDF)
Showcase the value of family engagement in your school and share your efforts with us! Use #PublicSchoolVolunteerWeek to spread the word!
Olympia School Board Applauds 3,000 volunteers
Public School Volunteer Week is being celebrated throughout the Olympia School District Monday, April 17 through Friday, April 21.
Superintendent Patrick Murphy read a proclamation during the April 13 Olympia School Board meeting recognizing April 17-21 as Public School Volunteer Week. The local recognition coincides with both the state and national Public School Volunteer Week.
Murphy recognized OSD Volunteer Coordinator Steve Desselle on behalf of all volunteers throughout the district and thanked him for his work. More than 3,000 parents, students and community members give their time as volunteers in our schools.
The proclamation states in part that volunteers “are an integral part of student learning, play an important role in the education of students and provide a valuable partnership link with our community.” It also states that volunteers “inspire success in students while nurturing and challenging them to extend beyond their reach.”
Thank you, volunteers, for all you do for our schools!
Highlights 2021 2022
Highlights 2020
