Staff report
EducateNKY’s 2026 Start of School Assistance initiative brought 73 community volunteers into Newport Primary, Newport Intermediate, John G. Carlisle and Ninth District Elementary during the first days of school.
Of those volunteers 47 were new to the program, expanding the numberes of community members who have now had the opportunity to experience River Cities schools firsthand.
The students were the beneficiaries, as volunteers supported some of the businest parts of the school day, helping with arrivals, lunch, recess, and dismissals, answering questions, helping students find their way, and providing school teams with an extra set of hands.
At Newport Primary, one staff member said that having volunteers in the cafeteria allowed them to circulate and check in with students who needed additional attention. Knowing other adults were available the help students with everyday needs gave the staffers more flexibility.
It’s a simple example of how additional community involvement can create more space for educators to focus their time where it matters most.
“SOSA is about more than helping schools get through the first few days of the year. It is about building stronger connections between our schools and the communities around them,” said Cheye Calvo, president and CEO of EducateNKY.
“When 47 people volunteer with SOSA for the first time, they leave with a better understanding of our students, our educators, and the opportunities that exist when a community sees itself as a partner in student success.
The community can expect that this kind of volunteer effort will continue to grow. Got any plans for this time next year??