Volunteers can make many valuable contributions to the schools. A volunteer program in the district is subject to suitable regulations and safeguards, including constant monitoring to assure proper management.

Every effort shall be made to incorporate the use of school volunteers into each school’s program as well as other programs or activities of the school district.

A. Needs

1. Teachers need assistance with non-teaching chores.

2. Students need individual help in various learning and social activities.

3. Support and administrative personnel need assistants in clerical and non-professional activities.

4. Schools need increased support from the community.

B. Goals

1. To relieve teachers of non-teaching chores

2. To give individual help to students who need improvement in levels of achievement.

3. To provide clerical assistance to administrative and support personnel.

4. To secure better community support for the schools.

C. Services to be Provided by Volunteers

1. Distribute materials to be used by students.

2. Provide special help to individual students.

3. Work with a small group of students to reinforce the efforts of the teacher.

4. Provide clerical assistance.

5. Assist in the school library.

6. Make bulletin board materials.

7. Assist in health program.

8. Arrange special holiday displays

9. Mount students’ art work and prepare a student’s art exhibit.

10. Read stories to a small group.

11. Listen to students who need additional oral reading practice.

12. Assist with art projects, cutting paper, etc.

13. Speak to classes on topics appropriate to instruction.

14. Assist with student supervision.

15. Assist as host/hostess at special events.

16. Assist in getting clothing and school supplies for needy students.

D. Recruitment and Selection of School Volunteers

Before volunteers are recruited, a survey will be made of the staff to determine what types of assistance they need that can be provided by volunteers. The Request for Volunteer Help Form will be used to obtain this information. (Attachment #1)

There will be four categories of volunteer assistance that schools should consider:

1. One-time volunteers to help in the areas of special activities, special topics, career awareness, etc.

2. Short-term volunteers to assist in materials development, library, clerical, etc.

3. Home volunteers to assist in development of materials, clerical, etc.

4. Long-term volunteers to assist with library, office, lunchroom, clerical work; classroom instructional aides; tutoring individual students; materials development, etc.

Parents will be given a Volunteer Survey Form (Attachment #2) to access their interest in becoming a volunteer. Other community patrons that express an interest in volunteering will also complete the Volunteer Survey Form.

E. Placement of Volunteers

The principal and teachers requesting assistance will have the responsibility of selecting the volunteers to be used and to determine where they will be placed. The principal will do this by reviewing the Volunteer Survey Form matching the needs of the school with the interests of the volunteer.

F. Orientation of School Volunteers

The orientation training program for the volunteers will be a joint effort with the district Parent Involvement Plan coordinator, building facilitators and building principals. Four basic topics will be covered in this training. They are (1) responsibilities of the volunteer; (2) guidelines in professional relationships for volunteers; (3) guidelines in student relationships for volunteer; and (4) volunteer time log.