SEEDS @ Schools
SEEDS @ Schools coordinates student volunteers for classrooms and after school programs at three local schools. Currently we are adjusting our programming to comply with COVID restrictions within the Portland Public School system. Please check back
Franklin High School Student Support
Franklin High School is located on 5405 SE Woodward St., and is an ethnically diverse school with over 50% of students from non-white backgrounds. The SEEDS @ Franklin program offers an excellent opportunity for students to take part in youth education, support local Portland high school students, and forge lasting, meaningful connections with them in the process.
For more information about this volunteer role, please contact SEEDS @ Schools Coordinator, Cheryl Fok (hiufok@reed.edu).
Lane Middle School
Lane Middle School (Lane) is located at the intersection of 60th Avenue and Ogden street, a short 12 minute bus ride or 7 minute drive from Reed. Lane has an ethnically diverse student body full of talent and enthusiasm with 100% of students receiving either free or reduced lunch. SEEDS @ Lane programming seeks to support Lane students by placing Reed students in Lane classrooms and after school programs.
SEEDS @ Lane gives Reed students the opportunity to gain valuable first-hand experience in youth development, teaching, and nonprofit work, while forging and sustaining important connections with the greater Portland community. SEEDS @ Lane student participants strive to confront the social and economic inequities that stratify our city and public education system.
Learn more about Lane and the history of the program at our history page!
SEEDS @ Lane After School Support
Students work with the Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) after school program.
There are a number of ways to engage with students through SUN’s after school programming:
Lane Food Pantry
Help with setup and cleanup of the weekly mobile food pantry. Assist families with shopping and loading food into their vehicles. This is one of the primary areas in which the Sun @ Lane afterschool program can utilize support from the Reed community.
Enrichment programs
Provide support for the Lead Instructor. Assist running and participate in activities. Enrichment programs have previously included basketball, soccer/futsal, Clay & Sculpture class, Creative Art, Cooking and Gardening class, Sewing, college prep, Science Club (competes in Science Bowl). May include engagement with outside organizations, such as Camp Fire which focuses on personal development or Conexiones which is a cultural enrichment class.
Academic programs
For the Tuesday & Thursday SUN Academy offers a homework help program, after one hour of homework students have one hour of free time, including sports/games.
In each of the unique SUN afterschool programs, SEEDS participants will provide Lane students with a responsible, consistent, fun adult. This program allows Reedies the opportunity to get off campus, gain insight into education and social issues, and put their own education to a practical use.
This program qualifies for Off-Campus Federal Work Study.
Transportation note: SEEDS @ Lane volunteers receive free bus tickets thanks to generous support from the Student Body.
Questions? Contact SEEDS @ Schools Coordinators, Lucas Yong (lucasyong@reed.edu) and Sophie Klingborg (klingbos@reed.edu).
Program Schedule Hours
Lane Food Pantry: Thursdays, Set-Up 1:30–4 p.m. (flexible to end sooner) and Pantry Staffing and Clean-Up 4–6:30 p.m.
After school programs: Mon-Thu, 3:45-5:45 p.m. Classes generally run on a Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday system. SUN afterschool runs on a 3-term system.
Three terms available for students: fall (October 1-December 6), winter (January 7-March 14) & spring (April 9–May 23).
Students most needed in these programs
- Food Pantry
- Campfire
- This person would help the lead instructor with fun and personal development activities.
- SUN Academy
- This person would help students with homework for the first hour which is generally math and language arts and during the second hour participants are welcome to stay and help monitor and join students during free gym activities
- Sewing
- Creative Art
Kelly Elementary School
The Kelly Elementary SUN (Schools Uniting Neighborhoods) after school program is based in deep southeast Portland. It is a Title I elementary school that provides educational and enrichment opportunities for students from diverse cultural backgrounds. In addition to after school programming, Kelly SUN assists its community by offering a well-organized and established food pantry. Through our efforts in SUN, we strive to empower people and offer tools to become more informed and self-sufficient people.
For our program, we strongly prefer that SEEDS Volunteers stay with the same group of students throughout the entire program. Consistency is important to develop a good relationship and build trust. Furthermore, you will provide them a dependable positive role model in their lives. However, if you can't stay the entire program, please notice the schedule of preferred service times. Even a hour a week makes an impact!
Benefits: This is a great opportunity for those interested in the following fields: Education, Social Work, Food Justice, and general Non-Profit work
SEEDS @ Kelly After School Support
Students work with the Kelly Schools Uniting Neighborhoods (SUN) after school program.
There are a number of ways to engage with students through SUN’s after school programming:
3–4:25 p.m.: You will report to the cafeteria and supervise children during supper and recess. This includes: getting to know the children, taking attendance, teaching respectful meal behavior, cleaning up the tables, making sure they are playing in a safe manner, and communicating with the Extended Day Coordinator about any incidents that occur such as fights or falls. Then, take the students to their academic class and provide small group instruction (lesson plans provided by the main SUN Instructor). This is one of the primary areas in which the SUN at Kelly can utilize support from the Reed community.
4:30-5:30 p.m.: You will transition the children for their enrichment class and gather supplies if needed (lesson plans provided by the main SUN Instructor). This hour includes could be a variety of fun classes such as: Lego Robotics, Afro-Latino dance, sewing, Cartooning, cooking, volleyball, singing, drama, journalism, garden club, exploring biology, and many more! Although we are all about fun, we do hope you will also make sure the students are fully engaged with the lesson. Furthermore, we encourage you feel comfortable to communicate with Extended Day Coordinator about any incidents that may occur such as poor attitude or sickness.
Food Pantry Volunteers needed: 1st and 3rd Fridays of the month
11 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Help unload, repack, and shelve food provided from the Oregon Food Bank. You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and push heavy carts.
2:30-5 p.m.: Help setup the waiting room and the child care area. You must be able to lift numerous amount of chairs and tables. Once the set up is complete, you will assist families through the pantry. You will also help load food into their vehicles. It is imperative that all of our volunteers understand that food insecurity is an issue for our clients. Providing a family friendly atmosphere will reduce stress for everyone and make distribution run more smoothly.
Application and hiring process: Students must send a resume and message of interest to the SEEDS in Schools Coordinator. Qualified students will be offered an interview with the on-site manager. If the interview goes well, the on-site manager will contact you to fill out hiring paperwork and conduct a brief orientation at the school before you begin work.