Sumter County Schools

The mentor program brings together positive role models from the community and students who can benefit from one-on-one attention. Anyone can become a mentor, including business leaders who want to help develop the future workforce, retirees who want to share their life experiences, and those who have time, talents, and patience to give. Students are selected by teachers and guidance counselors. Parents sign a permission form for participation in the program. Students and mentors work together weekly at the school site to improve grades, set goals for improved attendance and behavior, or to explore the student’s career interests. Mentors help students develop self-confidence, academic competence, a caring attitude toward others, and reading skills that will help them be successful in school so they can be successful in life. When students are mentored they:

• Improve their attendance rate – 98%
• Have fewer discipline referrals – 33%
• State that they can now say ‘No’ to peer pressure – 78%
• Say their personal relations skills are improved – 72%
• Experience improved networking skills – 54%
• Feel more satisfied in their jobs – 67%

Take Stock in Children is an award-winning program that provides scholarships, mentors, and hope for a better future to Florida’s most deserving low-income, at-risk children. The promise of a college scholarship is just one motivating factor for children participating in the program. Upon entering the Take Stock in Children program, students are matched with trained, caring adult mentors who meet with them once a week to help with academics, provide college and career guidance, and strengthen their social skills. Mentors provide students with valuable guidance, motivation, and life lessons that students carry with them beyond grade school and into college and the workforce. A public-private partnership, this school-based mentoring organization has positively affected the lives of more than 11,000 children since 1995. Visit the state website to learn more about Take Stock in Children.

Parent and community members provide valuable resources and programs when they participate in parent organizations. These organizations collaborate with schools on events, fundraisers, and numerous other initiatives that help to create engaging and supportive learning environments. While these organizations work closely with the schools, they have separate financial requirements and obligations. All organizations must comply with district audit requirements, carry liability insurance, register with the IRS and Florida Department of Revenue, and apply for a Florida sales tax number.

PTO Today

National Parent Teacher Organization

Adults aren’t the only ones who are encouraged to get involved! By engaging in community service projects, students can earn credits and recognition at graduation and qualify for scholarships. Students provide more than 100,000 hours of service to Sumter County every year through the community service program. Community service coordinators at each high school coordinate the application process and approve the hours and locations where students serve. Ready to get involved? Start by contacting your high school Community Service Coordinator to register with the community service program. Community service hours served before registering with the program coordinator will not be counted. Service hours must be pre-approved before students begin to log hours.  

Bright Futures Eligibility Handbook

Each school has a School Advisory Council (SAC) whose members:

• Determine school improvement priorities.
• Publicize the School Improvement Plan.
• Support School Improvement Plan implementation.
• Evaluate the School Improvement Plan.
• Assist in the decision-making process and approval of expenditures of District Lottery Funds and School Recognition Funds, as well as review the school budget. 

Your financial support can make a huge difference in the lives of Sumter County’s students.

SUMTER SCHOOLS ENHANCEMENT FOUNDATION

Whether they’re assisting in classrooms, mentoring children on a one-on-one basis, or lending their time and efforts to district-wide initiatives, volunteers play a vital role in Sumter District Schools’ mission of delivering a high-quality education to every student.

All persons wishing to become a volunteer must submit an application and be approved by the Sumter County School Board before attending an event or working in the classroom. Background screenings are required as part of the application process. A criminal background screening must be completed every three years and an FDLE/NSOPW is completed each time a volunteer visits a school campus.