Category Archive

Ramos Classroom Volunteers

Asbury established a partnership with center-city Luis A Ramos Elementary School nearly 10 years ago.  One of the most important and rewarding aspects of this partnership has been Asbury members volunteering in the classrooms.  Now that in-person learning has been reinstated, Ramos Principal Josh Radcliffe is requesting additional volunteers (vaccinated and masked) to work with Ramos teachers and students.  If you wish to participate, you’ll be assigned a teacher and you can work with them to determine how many hours you’d like to volunteer each week.  If you have an interest, a good first step is to complete your background checks (see below) and then you’ll be set to start when you feel comfortable (from a COVID standpoint) being in the classroom.  This is a life-changing experience for both the students and you.  We’d encourage you to read the testimonials below from current Asbury volunteers.  If this opportunity is right for you, we hope you’ll use it as a way to live out your faith through service.

Ramos Volunteer Testimonials

• Volunteering at Ramos is the highlight of my week. You think you are giving only to learn you receive so much more in return.  These kids are smart, funny, eager to learn and a joy to be with.
• I have so many happy memories of the years I spent volunteering at Ramos. It gave me a warm feeling inside knowing that I was helping so many wonderful children.  When I would stand at the doorway to come into the classroom, the children would stop whatever they were doing and greet me loudly with big smiles on their faces.
• I started as a volunteer at Ramos 9 years ago – nervous because I was old even then and white while the children were young and of a different ethnicity. I soon found I was welcomed by the children and the whole experience has been wonderful.  I am looking forward to returning to the classroom as soon as that is possible.
• My Ramos volunteer experience has been the best volunteer experience. You will get an opportunity to work with some very bright and creative teachers who really do love their students.  Add that to the opportunity to work with Josh who is our new principal and I guarantee you will really enjoy working/volunteering helping our Ramos kids grow and learn.
• Volunteering at Ramos was always the bright spot of my week. The kids were so excited to see you and craved individual attention.  I really felt like my help was needed, meaningful & appreciated.

Ramos Background

Luis A. Ramos Elementary School at 15th and Allen is a long-time Asbury mission partner.  The student population at Ramos ranges from 700-900 depending on the year; and over 90% of Ramos families live below the poverty level.

Over the years Asbury members have been actively involved in the support of Ramos teachers, staff, students and their families.

• Obtaining Books for the Library (Christmas Eve Offering)
• Concert to raise money for musical instruments
• Donation of used musical instruments
• Annual work day to mulch playground and beautify grounds
• Key supporters of the construction of a new playground at Ramos
• A dozen or so Asbury members volunteering in classrooms (prior to the pandemic)
• Backpack drives in the fall
• School supply drives
• Coat, hat and mitten drives
• Adopting Ramos families at Christmas
• Packing holiday gift bags before Christmas
• Gathering cleaning supplies to help teachers keep their classrooms safe
• Writing letters of encouragement to all Ramos teachers and staff during the pandemic.

Background Checks

Background checks are required for classroom volunteers every 5 years.  There is a simple three-step process to be completed.

• PA State Criminal Records Check. This can be completed online and there is no charge for volunteers.  https://epatch.state.pa.us/TandC_RCEAction.do
• Child Abuse Clearance. This may also be completed online.  There may be a small fee for processing.  Click “Create Individual Account” on this link.  https://www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home
• FBI Clearances.
  • If you’ve lived in Pennsylvania for more than 10 years, you just need to complete an affidavit.
  • If you haven’t lived in Pennsylvania for 10 years, you’ll need a fingerprint check. To initiate the check go to  https://uenroll.identogo.com and enter Service Code 1KG6XN

The Annual Ramos Elementary School Work Day will be held on August 28 from 9 AM until sometime around noon. Projects will include mulching the playground and parking lot islands, trimming trees, weeding, and cleaning up the campus so the grounds will look great when students return to school after Labor Day.

If you can help, please add your name to this Google Sheet.

About Ramos Elementary:

Luis A. Ramos Elementary School at 15th and Allen is a long-time Asbury mission partner.
The student population at Ramos ranges from 700-900 depending on the year; and over 90% of Ramos families live below the poverty level.

Over the years Asbury members have been actively involved in the support of Ramos teachers, staff, students and their families.

• Obtaining Books for the Library (Christmas Eve Offering)
• Concert to raise money for musical instruments
• Donation of used musical instruments
• Annual work day to mulch playground and beautify grounds
• Key supporters of the construction of a new playground at Ramos
• A dozen or so Asbury members volunteering in classrooms (prior to the pandemic)
• Backpack drives in the fall
• School supply drives
• Coat, hat and mitten drives
• Adopting Ramos families at Christmas
• Packing holiday gift bags before Christmas
• Gathering cleaning supplies to help teachers keep their classrooms safe