At Arco Iris Spanish Immersion School, we believe a school is only as strong as the community behind it. Volunteers are the heartbeat of that community. Every hour a parent spends in a classroom, every family member who shows up for a field trip, every neighbor who lends their time to a school event adds up to something genuinely transformative for our students.
Community Is the Curriculum
Our bilingual, bicultural mission calls on all of us to show up fully for our students. When volunteers walk through our doors, they bring real-world connections, diverse perspectives, and the living message that education is a shared responsibility. Students watch the adults in their community invest in their school, and that models something no textbook can teach: belonging matters, and showing up for each other matters.
Volunteers enrich classroom experiences, support school events, and help our teachers focus on what they do best. The ripple effects go further than any single afternoon. They build relationships among families, deepen trust between school and community, and strengthen the culture of care that defines life at Arco Iris.
There's a Role for Every Schedule
One of the things we love most about our volunteer community is the many ways to plug in. Room Parents serve as the communication bridge between teachers, families, and our PTO. Teacher Appreciation volunteers dream up creative ways to celebrate our incredible staff throughout the year. Our Fundraiser Team keeps beloved events like Restaurant Night, the Annual Auction, and Move-a-Thon running smoothly. Art Lit Coordinators organize supplies and bring hands-on art projects into classrooms. And our Communication Team helps connect our diverse community through social media and translations.
Beyond those roles, volunteers support the Book Fair, judge at Oregon Battle of the Books, assist in the library, help with crosswalk duty, and show up for field trips and school beautification projects. Many of these opportunities happen from home or wherever you have a computer, which means contributing to your child's school fits into real life.
Getting Started Is Easier Than You Think
Ready to get involved? Here's how to jump in:
- Submit a Volunteer Application through our Volgistics system. Each volunteer sets up their own account using their full name. From there, browse and sign up for opportunities through the VicNet website or the VicNet mobile app.
- Complete a background check if your role involves school hours or field trips. Our partner Verified First handles the process, which takes approximately 5-7 business days. Once completed, your check stays active for two years.
- Explore PTO Opportunities to find the role that fits your schedule and interests.
- Check Upcoming PTO Events to find your next chance to show up for our students.
- Reach out to our PTO at [email protected] with any questions. They'll connect you with current needs and opportunities that match your availability.
Some of our families volunteer weekly. Some come once a year for the auction or a classroom celebration. Both matter. Volunteering at Arco Iris works around your schedule. Show up where you can, as often as you can.
About Arco Iris:
Arco Iris Spanish Immersion is a small tuition-free public charter school providing a rich, immersive Spanish language experience and robust academics in a true multicultural setting. Centrally located off 217, between SW Portland and Tigard, we serve K-5 students in the greater Beaverton area to become bilingual and biliterate leaders of the future. Get to know us on Instagram @arcoiris_spanishimmersion and on the web at www.arcoirisschool.org. We’re enrolling for Fall 2026-27.