School
Information
Volunteer
Handbook
BENEFITS
OF VOLUNTEER ACTIVITY TO STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND STAFF
Volunteers assist the school in providing
for the development and education of the students and provide
a benefit to the school. All parents are expected to volunteer
in some capacity throughout the school year. They serve
in a variety of capacities such as: School Advisory Council
and Committees, Parents’ Club, Annual Auction Committee,
classroom assistance to teachers, office assistance to secretary,
Hot Lunch Program, Room Parents, supervised playground monitors,
library assistance, field trip assistance, and other activities
relating to the talents and gifts of the volunteer population.
Volunteers are valued members of the
St. Paul Parochial School Community. Under the direction
and supervision of the principal and our school staff, volunteers
assist in the provision of educational and other services
to students, faculty, and staff.
VOLUNTEER
BACKGROUND CHECKS
The school reserves the right to require
volunteers in any school program or activity to undergo
a background check. Ordinarily any person with an adult
criminal conviction is not eligible to serve. The school
further reserves the right to decline to accept the service
of a volunteer to request a volunteer to withdraw from service
in school activities whenever, in the judgment of the school,
it is in the best interest of the school to do so.
VOLUNTEER CODE
Volunteers serving in the school will
support and model the moral teachings of the Catholic Church
and function faithfully within the mission and structure
of the school, parish and Archdiocese with proper respect
for those serving in ministries.
Volunteers work in a collaborative role
with others ministering to the development of the children
and the school as an educational institution. Volunteers
are asked to recognize confidentiality as a living principle
and respect the dignity of those with whom they work and
come into contact.
Volunteers accept responsibility to
use contacts made through the school in such a way so as
not to disrupt the peace, order, and tranquility of the
school community.
Should volunteers come into conflict
on school related issues, it is the responsibility of both
to resolve the dispute through personal diplomacy and/or
an executive decision by the school principal and/or pastor
of the parish.
Any person who has a conflict with a
school volunteer outside of the boundaries of school activities
must settle that dispute outside of the school and without
involving or using school resources.
APPROPRIATE
SELECTIONS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Volunteers may be involved in a variety
of activities that span many programs within the school.
The volunteer should carefully consider his/her special
skills, interests, and talents when choosing a volunteer
position.
It is important that, prior to accepting
a volunteer position, the volunteer clearly understands
the requirements and responsibilities of his/her assignments.
Activities that involve specific physical, mental, or time
requirements must be respected. Prior to choosing an activity,
the volunteer should be certain that it conforms to his/her
preferences and schedule.
CONFIDENTIALITY
In the course of volunteer work, confidential
information about students, teachers, or staff members may
be learned. This information must remain confidential in
any setting inside or outside the school, just as one would
wish his/her own privacy rights to be respected. At times,
the volunteer may come into possession of information about
students that may need to be conveyed to the volunteer’s
supervisor (teacher or principal). If appropriate in the
judgment of the principal, other persons on a "need
to know" basis may be advised by the principal to include,
but not limited to, parents, teachers, and pastor.
SUPERVISION
OF VOLUNTEERS
The principal is responsible for the
total school operation. The principal supervises all who
serve in any capacity in the school and in official school-related
activities. The principal may delegate the supervisory role
to a designated member of the school staff for specific
activities. Volunteers will be expected to review and adhere
to policies and procedures contained in the PARENT/STUDENT
HANDBOOK.
BEHAVIOR
MANAGEMENT
It is the goal of Catholic schools to
instruct students in formation of a Catholic conscience
so that they will choose behaviors which foster responsibility.
In order to accomplish this, volunteers should manage students
in positive and constructive ways while they uphold the
school’s code of conduct. This can be accomplished
through intervention and encouragement techniques and strategies
which are administered through proximity, eye contact, and
privacy. In addition to supporting the code of conduct,
volunteers are expected to support the decisions of the
principal and teachers. A volunteer may not employ corporal
punishment as a means of controlling a student who has misbehaved.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
PROCEDURES
All situations should be dealt with
individually with prudent, adult judgment as the primary
response to any illness or injury. Simple scrapes, small
cuts, bruises, etc. will be taken care of in the school
office. If a child falls or bumps himself/herself, the situation
should be taken seriously. Please observe the student a
few seconds, check vital signs. If the student seems stabilized,
an adult should accompany the student to the office for
observation. Do not send a child with another student. If
there is only one adult present at the site of the injury,
send a student to the office for assistance.
Serious injury such as possible broken
bone, severe bleeding or allergic reaction should be dealt
with immediately and with caution. DO NOT MOVE THE CHILD.
DO NOT LEAVE THE CHILD. Send for assistance from the office.
Remove other students from the proximity of the situation
as soon as possible until help comes.
Dispense NO MEDICATION to any child.
All volunteers are encouraged to undergo first aid and CPR
training.
All persons are required to evacuate
the building during fire or any other type of emergency
drills. Volunteers should follow the directions of the staff
member in charge during any emergency drills. Signs are
posted in all parts of the building indicating the emergency
evacuation routes. Volunteers should be familiar with the
emergency drill requirements.
MISCELLANEOUS
INFORMATION
All volunteers are required to sign
in at the office upon arrival to work in any program or
activity. Badges are to be worn so that all official volunteers
are identifiable at all times. Upon completion of volunteer
duties, badges are to be returned to the office, and all
volunteers must sign out.
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