Volunteer Handbook
Laurel School District #7-70 Volunteer Handbook
We Value Our Volunteers!
2021 - 2022
Superintendent Welcome Letter Contents
Dear Volunteer
Welcome to Laurel School District No. 7-70. We value the time and commitment you make to the students and staff in our district. Each of you has special gifts to share with us that enhance and enrich our schools and we appreciate your willingness to donate your time to help a classroom, school or department.
Because student safety is of great concern, community volunteers are required to:
● Complete a volunteer application ● Be fingerprinted ● Must possess a valid driver’s license or state issued ID
We hope you enjoy the time you spend with us. Being a volunteer brings rewards as well as challenges. With your help, our schools can maximize their potential and better meet the needs of students and staff. If you have suggestions on how we can better use and support our volunteers, please let us know.
Thank you for your time and commitment to our students, staff and our district!
Sincerely,
Dr. Linda Filpula
Superintendent
Why We Value Our Volunteers
Laurel School District No. 7-70 serves over 2,000 students in Pre-K-12 in five different schools utilizing a grade leveled configuration. South Elementary houses all kindergarten and Pre-K students. West Elementary has 1st and 2nd grade students before they move onto Graff Elementary for 3rd and 4th grade. Laurel Middle School contains students in 5th through 8th grade and Laurel High School educates our 9th through 12th grade students.
Schools alone cannot meet all the needs of our students in today’s environment. Due to budget constraints and the changing complexion of the family, we face economic, social, and education issues as never before. By working together with our community, we can enhance the education of our students, which is necessary for success in today’s world.
Laurel School District is fully committed to its mission statement: “Dedicated to the individual development of each student, every day, without exception!” We believe in providing different opportunities and experiences to educate our students to reach their full potential. We not only provide a high-quality education within the classroom, but offer students many curricular and extracurricular activities to ensure students receive a well-rounded education. The Laurel Community takes great pride in its schools and the education provided to all of its students.
If you become involved within a school you will notice some immediate changes from the classroom with which you may be familiar. Teachers and staff now dress for function and movement within the classroom. Classrooms may be quite noisy at times, and several activities may be happening within the same room at the same time. Though this may at first appear as chaos, it is often the sign of student engagement and learning.
As volunteers become familiar with the school and educational process of today, they become important links with the community in order to help establish the best educational system possible. It is our hope that you will become such a link! We welcome and encourage your involvement in our schools to provide the BEST education for your children. Together we can make a difference in the lives of our kids!
Getting Started
Community
Community volunteers are required to:
- Complete the Community Volunteer application at the desired grade level, located online in the District Website. Once completed you will return the application to the principal of the desired school, who will then forward your information onto the Administration office.
- Have a valid driver’s license or state issued ID
- Be fingerprinted.
When your fingerprint clearance is received, we will notify you and the school site you requested on your volunteer application of your volunteer status.
Parents
Parents or guardians who wish to volunteer in their child’s classroom only (during the school day. are not required to be fingerprinted. However, if a parent/guardian would like to volunteer outside of their child’s classroom, in before and after-school programs, or will accompany students on a field trip, fingerprint clearance is required.
Parent volunteers are required to:
- Complete the Parent Volunteer application and turn it into the school office.
- Have a valid driver’s license
- Be fingerprinted, if needed.
Applications
There are several ways to obtain an application:
⮚ Volunteer applications are located at the end of this handbook ⮚ Download from our website at http://www.laurel.k12.mt.us under the Human Resource menu ⮚ Contact the school office ⮚ Come to the district office located at 410 Colorado Avenue, Laurel, MT 59044
Fingerprinting
We appreciate your time and your understanding as we take measures to ensure the safety of our students. Fingerprint information is required as part of our steps for processing community volunteer applications and for parents/guardians who choose to volunteer beyond their child’s classroom. This District will pay for the fingerprinting costs.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the application process and fingerprinting, you may contact the district office at (406. 628-3360.
“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.” Garrison Keillor
Volunteer Expectations
Volunteers are expected to:
● Sign in and wear a name tag on school grounds at all times. ● Attire should be neat, clean, comfortable and appropriate for the school setting. Be familiar with the school dress code and adhere to it. ● Show respect for all staff and students. ● Share concerns regarding students with the school staff only. ● Follow all school and classroom expectations.
Please turn your cell phone to vibrate while you are volunteering in the classroom and make personal calls or texts while performing your volunteer duties only in emergency situations.
Schedule
● Be prompt and reliable. Please call the school if you are coming in late or will be absent. ● Please leave other children at home unless you have the principal’s approval beforehand.
Ground Rules for School District Facilities
● No smoking or tobacco allowed, including on athletic fields and in district vehicles ● No weapons allowed ● No drugs or alcohol allowed ● Do not use school equipment or resources for personal purposes
Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a Legal Requirement
Federal law prohibits school districts from releasing non-directory student information without parent/guardian permission. Disclosing this information is a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA..
All information concerning students and teachers is strictly confidential and should not be shared with others. Keep ALL student information confidential, including scholastic and health records, test scores and grades, discipline and classroom behavior, and children’s character traits.
Guidelines
Supervision
Volunteers working in the schools should always be under the direct supervision of school or district professional staff.
Discipline
Volunteers may not discipline students. If a discipline problem arises, volunteers should refer the situation to the professional staff. Our schools have specific discipline procedures, and the responsibility of enforcement rests with the staff.
Reporting Child Abuse, Non-accidental Injury, Neglect
In the course of volunteering, you may observe or hear a child describe child abuse, non-accidental physical injury, neglect or other conditions which place a child at risk. Montana has very detailed legal requirements for the reporting of these concerns to either police or Child Protective Services (“C.P.S.”.. School volunteers are bound by the same reporting requirements as teachers and other school personnel. If you see or hear of these concerns, immediately report what you have learned to your supervisor or the Principal of the school where you volunteer. If you form a reasonable belief that child abuse, non-accidental injury or neglect has occurred, the law requires you to personally report or cause a report to be made to police or C.P.S.
Dismissals
Volunteers are not allowed to dismiss a student from school. If a student must leave school early, they must receive permission from the school office and sign out early. Under no circumstance can volunteers take a student off campus, this includes walking or driving a student home.
Contacting Students
During your work as a school volunteer, you will meet many wonderful students. Your work with them will be delightful and rewarding. Volunteers should not contact students or visit them off campus or at their homes. In addition, students should not be invited to the volunteer’s home.
Confidentiality
While working within the schools, information about the progress, abilities and concerns of students may be shared with you. This is information of a confidential nature. Like teachers, volunteers are bound by a code of ethics to
keep confidential matters within the school. Do not discuss this information with anyone who does not have a professional right or need to know.
Please do not discuss a student’s progress or difficulties with his or her parents/guardians. This is the teacher’s responsibility. If a student confides in you information of a personal nature, you will need to share this privately with the teacher or principal if you feel it warrants their attention.
Medical Treatment
Medical treatment for any student is the responsibility of the school nurse or other authorized personnel. Volunteers may not administer medication to a student. If a student becomes ill, follow school procedures in regards to notifying the teacher and taking the student to the nurse.
Personal Doctrines
The school respects and values each family’s beliefs and religious doctrines. Volunteers may not propose any personal or religious beliefs to a student.
Restrooms
Volunteers should utilize the staff restrooms. Volunteers should not use or accompany students to the student restroom.
Dress and Behavior
Volunteers should follow the lead of the professional staff and their supervisor. Casual dress is the most appropriate. We ask that your attire be neat and conservative, attracting no undue attention. Keep in mind that you are in a position to set an example for students. Your dress, speech and behavior should serve as a good model for students to follow.
Dependability
Volunteers should always be prompt and consistent. If you cannot make your scheduled volunteer time, the staff would appreciate as much notice as possible. If you have a vacation pending, please provide advance notice to the school. The work volunteers do is important, staff and students look forward to your on-time arrival and volunteer assistance.
Sign-in Procedures
Identify the appropriate sign-in procedure at your volunteer site. It is important to sign in for insurance purposes. The time you donate is also recorded in order to recognize the value of volunteers and their commitment.
Speak up!
If you have any questions or concerns about your volunteer work or the policies of the school or district, feel free to ask your direct supervisor or the volunteer coordinator. We want this to be a rewarding experience for you, as well as for our staff and students. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding your volunteer experience.
Helpful tips
When you arrive at your volunteer site, you will want to ask certain questions and feel comfortable with your new surroundings. As you meet with your supervisor or teacher, be sure you determine one another’s expectations. You are not expected to know exactly how to go about our volunteer position, and you should feel comfortable asking questions as you go along.
Don’t forget to ask...
As you tour the building, you may want to inquire about such things as:
● Where to park ● How to check in and keep track of your time ● Entrances and exits to the building ● Bathroom facilities available for your use ● Volunteers’ and/or teachers’ lounge and its use ● Telephone you may use if necessary ● Location of supplies you may need ● School phone numbers and names, you may need ● Classroom rules and teacher’s classroom management plan You are an important member of the team, and we want you to feel at home in your new “volunteer” environment.
Tips for School Volunteers
Call students by name at each opportunity
A student’s name is very important. Make every effort to pronounce and spell each student’s name correctly.
Be firm with students, but also be warm and friendly
Let each student know that you care about him/her.
Accept students as they are
Each student is unique. Be ready to accept these differences in background, values, and aspirations.
Encourage and praise students
Use positive comments that will make students feel good about themselves, even when they are having difficulty. Be ready to praise a student for even the smallest successes. Avoid saying anything that will make students doubt themselves or their ability to learn. Children begin to “be” what others think of them.
Remember that children never forget
If you promise something, be prepared to keep the promise. Be careful not to make promises you will be unable to keep.
Encourage students to do their own thinking
Try not to give students the answers before they have an opportunity to solve questions on their own. Silence often means a student is thinking. Give them plenty of time to answer.
Follow the teacher’s lead for classroom behavior
Don’t allow students to behave in ways the teacher does not allow. Remember, the teacher is available to handle discipline problems. Make certain the students with whom you are working do not disturb the rest of the class.
Reinforce good behavior
When students are behaving well, let them know how proud you are and how much you appreciate their effort. This will encourage them to try even harder. If possible, try to ignore minor behavior problems if no student is at risk of any harm, and teaching and learning are not interrupted. Express displeasure with the behavior, not the student.
Remember it’s okay if you don’t know the answers
Let the student know when you don’t know the answer or you are not certain what to do. Work the answers out with students, or ask the teacher for assistance at an appropriate time.
Supervise students carefully
Do not leave a student or small group of students unsupervised. Be aware of what the students are doing at all times.
Keep students on task
You will want the students to learn as much as possible during the short time they spend with you; keep the lesson or activity moving. Avoid allowing students to get you, or the group off track for long periods of time by discussing topics that have nothing to do with the lesson.
Know when to give proper motivation
Your positive works of encouragement will go far in helping students become excited about learning. You and the teacher can discuss the use of motivation materials such as stickers, stars or notes of praise. Please do not give students food. Volunteers may not give students advertisements or solicitations.
Don’t get discouraged
Don’t get discouraged if you feel that little academic progress is being made. Your very presence and interest is helping the student to be successful.
We thank you for your valuable contribution to our youth!
Medical and Worker’s Compensation Insurance Coverage
The district does not carry medical insurance for volunteers; however, volunteers must be registered at the school they are serving and a record of volunteer hours must be maintained for workers’ compensation coverage. That is why it is important for you to sign in and out each time you volunteer. If you have questions about this liability coverage, feel free to call the Human Resources Department.
Laurel Schools Board of Education entitles you to workers’ compensation benefits per if you incur personal injury by an accident arising out of and in the course of your volunteer employment with the district.