volunteer manual - Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy
Edyth B. Lindner Elementary Lower School Building
VOLUNTEER MANUAL
11 3 1 2 S n i d e r R o a d Cincinnati, OH 45249 Te l e p h o n e : ( 5 1 3 ) 2 4 7 - 9 9 4 4 ext100 Fax: (513) 247-0125 8/9/2016
1
Dear Volunteer, Thank you for your willingness to serve as a classroom volunteer in our school. We are happy to have you as part of our team. We realize that volunteer services can have significant impact on the educational achievement of our students. We value the time, talents, and knowledge you will share with us this school year. This handbook is written to help you acclimate to life here at EBL. We hope it will be helpful to you. Please feel free to contact the school principal or the assistant principal if you have any questions. Sincerely, Sandy Breitholle, CHCA Lower School Principal (Grades PK-3) Nancy Buckman , CHCA Upper Elementary Principal (Grade 4) Elaine Marsh, CHCA Lower School Assistant Principal (Grades PK-3)
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Colossians 3:23
2
Philosophy and Goals of the School Volunteer Program
Create a partnership among educators, parents, and students through an organized volunteer program.
Promote the involvement of volunteers in classroom instruction and in other school related activities.
Complement the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational program of the school.
3
Responsibilities of School Volunteers The volunteer plays a vital role in our classrooms. Every task performed directly or indirectly impacts the educational process. Therefore, each volunteer is responsible to the staff member with whom he or she is working. Responsibilities: Professionalism 1. Realize that the relationship with staff members requires mutual respect and confidence. 2. Respect the confidentiality of: school records, relationship of staff members with each other, students, and parents. 3. Be cooperative, flexible, willing to learn and willing to share ideas. 4. Be a good adult model for students in behavior, attitude, speech, and dress. 5. Try, when working directly with students, to understand them as individuals, to help them feel successful, and to give them your full attention. 6. Conform to school policies and procedures. 7. Respect the teacher’s time. Your work time is not the time to expect the teacher to conference with you about your child.
4
Responsibilities (cont’d) Loyalty 1. Discuss with staff members concerns or problems that arise. 2. Understand and appreciate the work of the school staff. 3. Be supportive of the school and community. Dependability 1. Communicate with the staff member before starting to volunteer in the classroom by sharing personal interests and abilities, reviewing and adapting the job description, discussing mutual expectations, making specific plans and maintaining communication throughout the school year, feeling free to take the initiative. 2. Be as regular as possible in attendance. 3. Be on time. 4. Notify the school as soon as possible if absence is necessary. Qualifications: 1. Positive attitude, interest, and enthusiasm for working for the benefit of the students. 2. Work cooperatively with school personnel. 3. Commitment to fulfilling the obligations of the volunteer program.
5
Conflict Concerns
We want you to feel good about our school. It is a positive learning environment. However, if you should see something that disturbs you, you should approach the adult responsible for this (the Matthew 18 Principle). The administration is ready to help after you have tried to resolve it at the first level.
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.” Proverbs 26:20
“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother.” Matthew 18:15
6
Confidentiality As a volunteer, you may from time to time come across sensitive information and it is vitally important you handle this information as a “in one ear and out the other” proposition. In that regard, please keep in mind the following:
Statutes, standards, and professional ethics require that all records and information regarding students be kept in the strictest confidence.
All volunteers at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy must avoid unauthorized and unlawful use of student information or student records. Volunteers may NOT access student’s permanent records, have access to student’s grades, or grade student’s work.
Any inquiries regarding students by persons outside the educational system should be referred to a staff person.
Absolutely no discussion of students or teachers (including, but not limited to, names) is to occur at social gatherings at the school or outside of the school.
All volunteers will be asked to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement (see page 14) prior to volunteering at CHCA.
7
Responsibilities of Teachers Who Work With Volunteers The teacher is responsible for training all their parent volunteers and for planning purposeful assignments for them. Responsibilities Professionalism 1. Realize that the relationship with volunteers requires mutual respect and confidence. 2. Model confidentiality and respect for students and their parents, as well as for colleagues, administrators and the school system. 3. Communicate with the volunteer before he or she begins in order to: state needs, discuss the volunteer’s interests, share mutual expectations, discuss goals for the student (s) and make specific plans to acquaint the volunteer with the classroom setting, rules and appropriate material. 4. Be cooperative, flexible, and willing to listen to ideas. 5. Promote good public relations with the volunteer. 6. Be a good professional model for volunteers in behavior and attitude. 7. Train volunteers before asking them to use office machines, phones, or computers. Note: The volunteer should not be asked to do more than 10 minutes of copying at any time. Teachers should not be copying or asking their volunteers to copy more than two weeks worth of work at any time. This will help ensure enough copy paper for all ordering periods. 8. Use the utmost discretion if volunteers are handling student work. They should not be privy to student names on work. Volunteers should not be asked to grade student work or record grades in a teacher’s grade book.
8
Dependability 1. Plan for the volunteer when preparing a lesson plan with a folder containing assignments for the day. 2. Notify the volunteer of changes in class schedule that affect his or her regular volunteer time. 3. Include some variety in the volunteer’s assignments so continue to be interesting.
the work will
4. Be sure the volunteer understands the purpose of the task. Be clear in giving directions. Allow time for volunteers to ask questions. 5. Notify the volunteer of training sessions. Appreciation 1. Respect the volunteer as an individual. 2. Treat the volunteer as a professional. 3. Express sincere appreciation for the volunteer’s time. Qualifications: 1. Positive attitude, interest, and enthusiasm for working with volunteers. 2. Ability to work cooperatively with volunteers. 3. Commitment to fulfilling obligations to the volunteers.
9
Working in the Classroom We welcome parent volunteers into our classrooms at all times! You will be asked to participate in a variety of activities. There may be occasions when you will be helping directly in the classroom. However, much small group and individual work may be done on tables directly outside the classroom. This way, the valuable things you are doing will not disturb the rest of the class and vice versa. Please be prompt in your arrival.
If you are unable to come to school on your assigned day(s), please try to find a replacement. Then call the school and leave a message for the teacher regarding your replacement.
Please realize that when you come, you may be asked to work with many children, not just your own child.
From time to time, you may be asked to use the various machines located in the faculty workroom. Your teacher will provide a time for training on use of the machines.
Please turn off cell phones while working in the classroom.
Please check with the teacher before bringing younger siblings with you on the days you are volunteering in the classroom.
During your work time if you observe a child or children demonstrating poor or inappropriate behavior, please report the incident directly to the teacher. Any type of discipline should be handled by the teacher, not the volunteer.
10 Questions and Answers Where do volunteers park? You may park in any open parking places on our premise or in the lot at the Montgomery Community Church that connects to our lot. Avoid parking in the spaces near the front entrance or in the front circle. Where do I call when I will be absent? Call 247-9944 x 101 and leave a message for the person for whom you are volunteering. May I use a telephone? You may use the telephone at the front desk or your cell.
Can I sit in the faculty lounge? You may sit in there anytime during the day but we do ask that you not be in there during faculty and staff lunch hours of 11a.m.—1p.m. This allows them time for fellowship with their peers. Where can I keep my coat and purse? The faculty workroom adjacent to the main office may be used to store your personal things. However, the school administration cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property. Please keep money and anything valuable with you. Is there a dress code for volunteers? Modest casual dress attire is appropriate. What happens if the class is taking a bus to the field trip? There are field trips where a bus is required to transport the students. Parent volunteers are welcome to ride the bus if there is room. If not, the parent will be asked to drive. The parent may then drive their own child to the destination but cannot drive another student unless that student’s parent is in the car also.
11
Driving and Chaperoning Field Trips Parents must sign a form provided by the teacher before driving students. Generally, when our students go on field trips, parent volunteers are responsible for taking them to and from their destination. Please adhere to the following if you accompany us on one of our trips: Parents should arrive on time the day of the trip. Parents who go along on the field trip are responsible for supervising all the children in their “care,” not just their own child. Parents should check with the teacher before the trip regarding siblings going along. Some places do not allow younger children and some do not have space for additional children. If siblings are permitted, the parent should be able to supervise the students in his or her care as well as the sibling(s). All students need to be in a seat belt for the duration of the trip to and from the field trip site. Children under age 12 may not ride in the front passenger seat if there is an airbag. Children under 40 pounds must ride in an approved child safety restraint seat. Beginning in October 8, 2009, any child who is less than 8 years old and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must be in a child restraint seat. On field trips when parents are driving their cars to the field trip destination, please try to “caravan” and keep all cars in close proximity to each other as much as possible. This way if someone experiences some problems while on the road, others will be close by to assist them.
12
Parents should plan to drive directly to and from the destination of the field trip. Although a stop at McDonald’s might be fun for your group, we ask that you not do this. The permission we receive from parents only allows us to go to specific places. Please do not park in the front circle when loading or unloading students. Parents should not use cell phones while driving students on the field trip. If a movie is shown to students riding in your car, only movies with a rating of “G” can be shown. This must be cleared with the teacher ahead of time. In addition, please use discretion if the radio is on or a CD is playing. Some content in todays songs is not appropriate for our students. When the field trip is over and parents arrive back at school, they should stay with the students in their care until the teacher arrives back at school and resumes responsibility. A parent who signs up to drive on a field trip and then discovers that he/she cannot go that day should: 1. Try to find a replacement. 2. Call the school and let the teacher know who will be replacing him/her. 3. Call the school at least a day before the trip to let the teacher know if a replacement was not found.
13
Volunteer Service Agreement I have carefully read through the following parts of enclosed Volunteer Manual:
Philosophy and Goals of the School Volunteer Program Responsibilities of School Volunteers Conflict Concerns Confidentiality Responsibilities of Teachers Who Work With Volunteers Working in the Classroom Driving and Chaperoning Field Trips
Having read and understood them, I agree to joyfully serve according to the provisions therein. If at any time I feel I may need to violate these provisions, I realize I should voluntarily step aside from my volunteer opportunities. Signed: ______________________ _________________ _____ Signature Print Name Date
______________________ _________________ _____ Signature Print Name Date Please sign and return this page to your classroom teacher. Thank You!
NOTES:
VOLUNTEER MANUAL
11 3 1 2 S n i d e r R o a d Cincinnati, OH 45249 Te l e p h o n e : ( 5 1 3 ) 2 4 7 - 9 9 4 4 ext100 Fax: (513) 247-0125 8/9/2016
1
Dear Volunteer, Thank you for your willingness to serve as a classroom volunteer in our school. We are happy to have you as part of our team. We realize that volunteer services can have significant impact on the educational achievement of our students. We value the time, talents, and knowledge you will share with us this school year. This handbook is written to help you acclimate to life here at EBL. We hope it will be helpful to you. Please feel free to contact the school principal or the assistant principal if you have any questions. Sincerely, Sandy Breitholle, CHCA Lower School Principal (Grades PK-3) Nancy Buckman , CHCA Upper Elementary Principal (Grade 4) Elaine Marsh, CHCA Lower School Assistant Principal (Grades PK-3)
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Colossians 3:23
2
Philosophy and Goals of the School Volunteer Program
Create a partnership among educators, parents, and students through an organized volunteer program.
Promote the involvement of volunteers in classroom instruction and in other school related activities.
Complement the efficiency and effectiveness of the educational program of the school.
3
Responsibilities of School Volunteers The volunteer plays a vital role in our classrooms. Every task performed directly or indirectly impacts the educational process. Therefore, each volunteer is responsible to the staff member with whom he or she is working. Responsibilities: Professionalism 1. Realize that the relationship with staff members requires mutual respect and confidence. 2. Respect the confidentiality of: school records, relationship of staff members with each other, students, and parents. 3. Be cooperative, flexible, willing to learn and willing to share ideas. 4. Be a good adult model for students in behavior, attitude, speech, and dress. 5. Try, when working directly with students, to understand them as individuals, to help them feel successful, and to give them your full attention. 6. Conform to school policies and procedures. 7. Respect the teacher’s time. Your work time is not the time to expect the teacher to conference with you about your child.
4
Responsibilities (cont’d) Loyalty 1. Discuss with staff members concerns or problems that arise. 2. Understand and appreciate the work of the school staff. 3. Be supportive of the school and community. Dependability 1. Communicate with the staff member before starting to volunteer in the classroom by sharing personal interests and abilities, reviewing and adapting the job description, discussing mutual expectations, making specific plans and maintaining communication throughout the school year, feeling free to take the initiative. 2. Be as regular as possible in attendance. 3. Be on time. 4. Notify the school as soon as possible if absence is necessary. Qualifications: 1. Positive attitude, interest, and enthusiasm for working for the benefit of the students. 2. Work cooperatively with school personnel. 3. Commitment to fulfilling the obligations of the volunteer program.
5
Conflict Concerns
We want you to feel good about our school. It is a positive learning environment. However, if you should see something that disturbs you, you should approach the adult responsible for this (the Matthew 18 Principle). The administration is ready to help after you have tried to resolve it at the first level.
“Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a quarrel dies down.” Proverbs 26:20
“Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained a brother.” Matthew 18:15
6
Confidentiality As a volunteer, you may from time to time come across sensitive information and it is vitally important you handle this information as a “in one ear and out the other” proposition. In that regard, please keep in mind the following:
Statutes, standards, and professional ethics require that all records and information regarding students be kept in the strictest confidence.
All volunteers at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy must avoid unauthorized and unlawful use of student information or student records. Volunteers may NOT access student’s permanent records, have access to student’s grades, or grade student’s work.
Any inquiries regarding students by persons outside the educational system should be referred to a staff person.
Absolutely no discussion of students or teachers (including, but not limited to, names) is to occur at social gatherings at the school or outside of the school.
All volunteers will be asked to sign a Volunteer Service Agreement (see page 14) prior to volunteering at CHCA.
7
Responsibilities of Teachers Who Work With Volunteers The teacher is responsible for training all their parent volunteers and for planning purposeful assignments for them. Responsibilities Professionalism 1. Realize that the relationship with volunteers requires mutual respect and confidence. 2. Model confidentiality and respect for students and their parents, as well as for colleagues, administrators and the school system. 3. Communicate with the volunteer before he or she begins in order to: state needs, discuss the volunteer’s interests, share mutual expectations, discuss goals for the student (s) and make specific plans to acquaint the volunteer with the classroom setting, rules and appropriate material. 4. Be cooperative, flexible, and willing to listen to ideas. 5. Promote good public relations with the volunteer. 6. Be a good professional model for volunteers in behavior and attitude. 7. Train volunteers before asking them to use office machines, phones, or computers. Note: The volunteer should not be asked to do more than 10 minutes of copying at any time. Teachers should not be copying or asking their volunteers to copy more than two weeks worth of work at any time. This will help ensure enough copy paper for all ordering periods. 8. Use the utmost discretion if volunteers are handling student work. They should not be privy to student names on work. Volunteers should not be asked to grade student work or record grades in a teacher’s grade book.
8
Dependability 1. Plan for the volunteer when preparing a lesson plan with a folder containing assignments for the day. 2. Notify the volunteer of changes in class schedule that affect his or her regular volunteer time. 3. Include some variety in the volunteer’s assignments so continue to be interesting.
the work will
4. Be sure the volunteer understands the purpose of the task. Be clear in giving directions. Allow time for volunteers to ask questions. 5. Notify the volunteer of training sessions. Appreciation 1. Respect the volunteer as an individual. 2. Treat the volunteer as a professional. 3. Express sincere appreciation for the volunteer’s time. Qualifications: 1. Positive attitude, interest, and enthusiasm for working with volunteers. 2. Ability to work cooperatively with volunteers. 3. Commitment to fulfilling obligations to the volunteers.
9
Working in the Classroom We welcome parent volunteers into our classrooms at all times! You will be asked to participate in a variety of activities. There may be occasions when you will be helping directly in the classroom. However, much small group and individual work may be done on tables directly outside the classroom. This way, the valuable things you are doing will not disturb the rest of the class and vice versa. Please be prompt in your arrival.
If you are unable to come to school on your assigned day(s), please try to find a replacement. Then call the school and leave a message for the teacher regarding your replacement.
Please realize that when you come, you may be asked to work with many children, not just your own child.
From time to time, you may be asked to use the various machines located in the faculty workroom. Your teacher will provide a time for training on use of the machines.
Please turn off cell phones while working in the classroom.
Please check with the teacher before bringing younger siblings with you on the days you are volunteering in the classroom.
During your work time if you observe a child or children demonstrating poor or inappropriate behavior, please report the incident directly to the teacher. Any type of discipline should be handled by the teacher, not the volunteer.
10 Questions and Answers Where do volunteers park? You may park in any open parking places on our premise or in the lot at the Montgomery Community Church that connects to our lot. Avoid parking in the spaces near the front entrance or in the front circle. Where do I call when I will be absent? Call 247-9944 x 101 and leave a message for the person for whom you are volunteering. May I use a telephone? You may use the telephone at the front desk or your cell.
Can I sit in the faculty lounge? You may sit in there anytime during the day but we do ask that you not be in there during faculty and staff lunch hours of 11a.m.—1p.m. This allows them time for fellowship with their peers. Where can I keep my coat and purse? The faculty workroom adjacent to the main office may be used to store your personal things. However, the school administration cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property. Please keep money and anything valuable with you. Is there a dress code for volunteers? Modest casual dress attire is appropriate. What happens if the class is taking a bus to the field trip? There are field trips where a bus is required to transport the students. Parent volunteers are welcome to ride the bus if there is room. If not, the parent will be asked to drive. The parent may then drive their own child to the destination but cannot drive another student unless that student’s parent is in the car also.
11
Driving and Chaperoning Field Trips Parents must sign a form provided by the teacher before driving students. Generally, when our students go on field trips, parent volunteers are responsible for taking them to and from their destination. Please adhere to the following if you accompany us on one of our trips: Parents should arrive on time the day of the trip. Parents who go along on the field trip are responsible for supervising all the children in their “care,” not just their own child. Parents should check with the teacher before the trip regarding siblings going along. Some places do not allow younger children and some do not have space for additional children. If siblings are permitted, the parent should be able to supervise the students in his or her care as well as the sibling(s). All students need to be in a seat belt for the duration of the trip to and from the field trip site. Children under age 12 may not ride in the front passenger seat if there is an airbag. Children under 40 pounds must ride in an approved child safety restraint seat. Beginning in October 8, 2009, any child who is less than 8 years old and less than 4 feet 9 inches in height must be in a child restraint seat. On field trips when parents are driving their cars to the field trip destination, please try to “caravan” and keep all cars in close proximity to each other as much as possible. This way if someone experiences some problems while on the road, others will be close by to assist them.
12
Parents should plan to drive directly to and from the destination of the field trip. Although a stop at McDonald’s might be fun for your group, we ask that you not do this. The permission we receive from parents only allows us to go to specific places. Please do not park in the front circle when loading or unloading students. Parents should not use cell phones while driving students on the field trip. If a movie is shown to students riding in your car, only movies with a rating of “G” can be shown. This must be cleared with the teacher ahead of time. In addition, please use discretion if the radio is on or a CD is playing. Some content in todays songs is not appropriate for our students. When the field trip is over and parents arrive back at school, they should stay with the students in their care until the teacher arrives back at school and resumes responsibility. A parent who signs up to drive on a field trip and then discovers that he/she cannot go that day should: 1. Try to find a replacement. 2. Call the school and let the teacher know who will be replacing him/her. 3. Call the school at least a day before the trip to let the teacher know if a replacement was not found.
13
Volunteer Service Agreement I have carefully read through the following parts of enclosed Volunteer Manual:
Philosophy and Goals of the School Volunteer Program Responsibilities of School Volunteers Conflict Concerns Confidentiality Responsibilities of Teachers Who Work With Volunteers Working in the Classroom Driving and Chaperoning Field Trips
Having read and understood them, I agree to joyfully serve according to the provisions therein. If at any time I feel I may need to violate these provisions, I realize I should voluntarily step aside from my volunteer opportunities. Signed: ______________________ _________________ _____ Signature Print Name Date
______________________ _________________ _____ Signature Print Name Date Please sign and return this page to your classroom teacher. Thank You!
NOTES:
