Volunteer Handbook

Volunteers – Board Policy IICC/IICC-AR

Volunteers are an important part of ensuring student success in BSD. Every effort will be made to recruit and organize parents, guardians and community volunteers in a manner which will ensure maximum contribution to the educational growth of students, enrichment of school programs and to increased school-community involvement and communication.

Volunteering in BSD is a privilege not a right. Volunteers are there to complete a specific task or assignment. Volunteers are expected to adhere to the rules and guidelines set forth by the District. The District reserves the right to place and remove volunteers from service.

Criminal Records Checks – Board Policy GCDA/GDDA

In a continuing effort to further ensure the safety and welfare of students and staff, the District requires a criminal records check of all volunteers. Information needed for the check is part of the online volunteer application.

It’s important that everyone take an active role in helping to ensure a safe and healthy environment for students.

Appropriate interactions with adults create a safe environment for students to learn, grow and seek help in problem-solving and developing social skills. Volunteers play a key role in creating and maintaining this environment.

• Focus conversations on academics, school events and school activities. Refer personal issues to the school administrator, counselor or classroom teacher. Refrain from making comments that could have sexual overtones.
• Stay in a group or a public part of the school. Do not be alone with a student.
• Treat all students fairly and equally. Avoid favoritism such as special privileges or gifts.
• Limit interactions to the school environment. Do not meet with students outside of school or communicate with students electronically (text messaging, social networks, email, etc.) 
• Maintain personal space and reasonable eye contact.
• Be cautious about physical contact with students. Lap sitting, tickling, frontal hugs and shoulder massages are not appropriate. 

All volunteer applicants are required to review the mandatory volunteer training and adhere to all the requirements. The training takes less than 5 minutes.

After completing the trainings, return to volunteer application in Raptor and attest that you have completed the training where indicated.

As you observe and work in the classroom, you’ll notice that instruction is delivered in many ways. Changes in technology, new jobs and career requirements have changed the way teachers teach and students learn.

Students learn by:

• Doing, not by observing.
• Asking questions and searching for answers.
• Discovering, experimenting and repeating experiences which build confidence.
• Using all senses whenever possible.

Volunteers can help students and staff by:

• Creating a relaxed, friendly atmosphere for learning.
• Learning student names and using them often.
• Listening carefully to the students.
• Accepting students as individuals.
• Being patient; refer disciplinary problems to the teacher or an administrator, when necessary.
• Silencing cell phones while in the school.
• Being aware of limitations on staff time and tight classroom schedules.
• Dressing appropriately for the specific volunteer task.
• Asking students to call you “Mr.” or “Mrs./Ms.” rather than by your first name.
• Following all school/district policies and procedures.

Transferable work skills

Keep an accurate and updated record of the skills and experiences that you develop while volunteering. Many corporations accept volunteer work as bonafide work experience. Principals and staff are usually happy to provide references or letters of recommendation.

Liability coverage

BSD volunteers are covered by the district’s liability insurance while performing approved volunteer service. To be eligible for the coverage, you must sign in and record your volunteer hours each time that you’re in the building. Worker’s compensation is not provided; your own health insurance should be considered your primary coverage if an injury occurs. If an accident occurs:

• Report the accident to the principal as soon as it occurs. Every school secretary has an Incident Report form that needs to be completed and kept on file at the school. 
• If the accident is of a serious nature, the district’s Risk Management office also should be informed by calling 503-356-4560.

Teacher certification renewal

Volunteers who have successfully complete a minimum of 360 hours of volunteer experience in accordance with the rules of the State Teacher Standards and Practices Commission can apply for renewal of their teaching certificates (Oregon Administrative Rules, section 584-048-0020). For more information, contact the Commission at 503-378-3586.