Volunteering at Blossom
The education of any child is a shared responsibility between the home, the community and the school. Parents, as the primary educators, should be actively involved in the educational experience of their child. Volunteering in the school is an ideal way to achieve this involvement and volunteer opportunities do exist for many of our Blossom special events and activities during the year.
Blossom offers select volunteer opportunities for individuals who are available on a consistent basis. Consistency will allow the volunteer to learn and follow the flow of the Montessori environment, and feel comfortable assisting students with their academics. From time to time, we also have a few opportunities assisting with fundraising efforts for our school.
Volunteer Opportunities (September – April):
Volunteer Qualifications Preferred
*Experience working in a classroom setting
*Experience working with children (K-6)
*Intermediate to fluent signing skills (ASL II or higher)
*Sign books to students in ASL
Volunteer Requirements
*Volunteers MUST be 18 years or older. No exceptions.
*Volunteers MUST have intermediate to fluent signing skills (ASL II or higher).
*Volunteers should be professional at all times. Blossom is an educational environment.
*Volunteers should dress business casual and appropriate for a school setting. No jeans please.
*Volunteers MUST go through Blossom’s complete and thorough application process & background screening prior to volunteering at the school. No other school screenings will be accepted, including Public School screenings through the county. No exceptions.
Volunteer Background Screening
Blossom conducts a level II live scan background screening through both DCF and VECHS, as well as national and local sexual offender/predator checks, and local criminal & child abuse/welfare records check through Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department and every county of residence(s) for the last five years for all volunteers. Volunteers are responsible for the cost of their level II live scan background screenings. Volunteers MUST receive full clearance prior to volunteering at Blossom – no exceptions. Please note: All screenings must be initiated through Blossom so that DCF and VECHS can upload your results to our system. We are unable to accept screenings from other private or public schools, as well as private screenings conducted by a previous employer.
Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf is a DRUG FREE – ALCOHOL FREE — SMOKE FREE school zone / work place!! This is to ensure our school is a Drug & Alcohol Free. Drugs can be illegal, prescription or legal such as alcohol. They are not appropriate for consumption while caring for children. No exceptions! Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf has a ZERO TOLERANCE for drugs and immediately dismisses any volunteer found to be in violation. Smoking of tobacco products is NOT permitted within 100 feet of school grounds at all times. No person including parent/guardians, staff, board members, volunteers and visitors may be in possession of a lighted cigarette, e-cigarette, vape pen, lighted pipe, lighted cigar, or any other lighted tobacco product, in the school facility, including the outside grounds. NO smoking area has been designated. The purpose of this policy is to comply with the “Florida Clean Indoor Air Act” in protecting the public health, comfort and environment by creating areas in all school facilities that are free from tobacco smoke.
Volunteer Contacts
Classroom Volunteers – currently there are no volunteer opportunities available in the classroom at Blossom Montessori School for the Deaf. To request a volunteer application -or- to be placed on our potential volunteer contact list for when opportunities become available, please contact our Business Manager, Tara Bonano via e-mail at tbonano@blossomschool.org.
Fundraising Volunteers – from time to time there are volunteer opportunities available assisting with Blossom’s fundraising efforts. To find out more about how you can help or to request a volunteer application -or- to be placed on our potential volunteer contact list for when opportunities become available, please contact our Business Manager, Tara Bonano via e-mail at tbonano@blossomschool.org.
Great American Teach-In Volunteers – once a year each November, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Break, there are volunteer opportunities available for guest speakers at Blossom’s Great American Teach-In. If you have a unique career or hobby you would like to share with our students -or- to find out more about how you can help, please contact our Blossom’s Director via e-mail at jrutenberg@blossomschool.org.
