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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

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Those who can, do. Those who can do more, volunteer. ~Author Unknown

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Research in the areas of parent involvement indicates that parent participation is one of the greatest indicators of student success. Read what the experts say: Parent involvement provides valuable resources in terms of volunteer time and contributes to increased support for the school. Studies found that the academic achievement of low-income students in particular seemed to vary directly with the degree of parent involvement. Effective parent involvement correlates with students earning higher grades and test scores. (National Institute of Education) Those schools that favor involvement of parents outperform schools with little parent involvement. On the basis of childrens achievement and the overall quality of the school, those schools that have long-lasting and comprehensive parent programs are more effective than those without such programs. Information taken from Parent-Volunteers.Com DID YOU KNOW?

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VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS Availability, dependability, reliability, friendliness and flexibility. Awareness of and willingness to follow all school district or state mandated criteria. Special talents or abilities that help to enrich the school program. Recognition that accepting an assignment is a serious commitment. Maintain strict confidentiality regarding students and school personnel. A desire and interest in working with children and youth. A willingness to learn and to follow directions while working with students.

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LEVEL I VOLUNTEERS Do not volunteer more than one time per week. Do not have unsupervised contact with students. Level I Volunteers may help with PTO/PTA fundraising activities, testing proctors, athletic concession sales, school carnivals and fairs, field trip chaperones, (does not include overnight field trips) and beautification projects. Must view volunteer orientation video.

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LEVEL II VOLUNTEERS Volunteer more than one time per week. Have unsupervised contact with students. Must have a clear background check. Must have adequate reference checks. Level II Volunteers may work in the classroom, serve as reading buddies, extracurricular coaches, after hours tutors and overnight field trip chaperones. Must view volunteer orientation video.

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VOLUNTEER RESPONSIBILITIES Always report to the office upon arrival and sign in. Pick up your identification badge before proceeding to the classroom. Be responsible and safe -- always put children first. Always follow the correct emergency safety procedures as outlined by the school. Always follow the correct fire safety procedures: There is no talking during fire drills. When in a classroom, follow the teacher out of the building and stay with the class. When not with a student, quietly exit the building and remain at a safe distance from the building until notified that it is safe to return. If you are taking food into school, please check with the class teacher or school administration as some foods may be inappropriate for children with food allergies. Be professional. Set up a preliminary conference with your teacher or appropriate school contact to discuss scheduling and duties. Teachers plan around your help so please adhere to the schedule. Call the school office in advance if you need to cancel your volunteer time on a particular day. Communicate with designated staff members to ensure clear expectations, task assignments, and feedback on volunteer activity. Under no circumstances should ongoing instruction be interrupted. If you have questions wait until there is an appropriate moment. Respect that a teachers desk and/or work area is private. Volunteers shall exercise mature judgment in supervising children and shall in all instances respect each students rights and privacy. Volunteers should discuss any concerns regarding students directly and exclusively with the supervising teacher or the school administrator. As a volunteer you may well be working closely with children sometimes on a one to one basis. If you are working with a pupil on his/her own always ensure that the door is left open or that you and the student are visible to others. All those who come into contact with children through their every day work whether paid or voluntary are responsible for their own actions and behavior and should avoid any conduct which would lead a reasonable person to question their motivation or intentions. We all have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children.

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VOLUNTEERS SHOULD NOT You may not discipline students. Please work closely with your teacher or school administrator if discipline issues arise. You may not administer medications to students. You may not drive school and/or activity buses. Under NO circumstances is a student to be taken off of the school premises unless permission is given by the school administrator. You may not access student records. You may not photograph students (unless requested to by the supervising teacher or school administration). You may not exchange e-mails, text messages, phone numbers or give out your own personal details with students.

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TIPS FOR SUCCESS Use positive communication techniques. Communicate with a child on his/her own level. Be firm with students when required. Truly care for the student, but realize that sometimes there is nothing you can do to change environmental circumstances. We can change attitude and behavior. Be sensitive to cultural, religious, and gender issues with your students. Be friendly. Listen and talk to the children and let them know you are interested in them.

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TIPS FOR SUCCESS CONT. Offer encouragement. Praise for even small accomplishments works wonders. Be aware of student needs. Never compare a student with another student. Remember, good relationships are like flowers it takes the right combination of time, care and ingredients to help them bloom! Be positive! Be enthusiastic! Smile the warmth of a sincere genuine smile is contagious.

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APPLICATION PROCESS All volunteers whether Level I or Level II must fill out an application. The completed application is maintained at the school. In addition to the application, Level II volunteers must fill out a background check form which will then be sent to Central Office for a background check. The application and background check forms can be found online at www.buncombe.k12.nc.us.www.buncombe.k12.nc.us

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Whenever You Need A Lift Repeat These Reminders What I do makes a difference. Working with children is one of the most important jobs in the world. I take pride in doing my best each day. My wisdom, talent, and abilities enrich the lives of students. Every task has a value and worth. My contributions to education shape the future of the world. I play a vital role in helping students learn and grow. All of my efforts are worthwhile and serve a noble purpose. I enjoy what I do and prove my caring and commitment each time I volunteer. My hard work pays off in students knowledge, character, and success!

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THANK YOU FOR VOLUNTEERING

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