Mar Vista Elementary School

Mar Vista Elementary

Guidelines for Volunteers

2020-2021

 

 

Thank you for your willingness to share your time, enthusiasm, and skills with our students. Each year parents and community members log thousands of volunteer hours. Your efforts, and the efforts of our many other volunteers help to make our school the exceptional place that it is.

 

Although you are a volunteer, your commitment needs to be professional. While you are on campus you are a role model for students. Please see the list below of things you should and should not do while volunteering. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for participating directly in our fine school. You make the difference!

 

Thank you,

Stephanie Monroe, Principal

 

 

In order to be fingerprinted, you will need:

1. A signed Volunteer Service Request form (available in our office)

2. A current TB test certificate

 

You may then take these two items to the Human Resources department located on the first floor at the district office. Once your fingerprints clear, the district office will email our site.

 

 

• Room parent

• Clerical help

• Listen to students read

• Read to students

• Read books on tape

• Help students with math activities

• Help students with computer activities

• Publish student’s work

• Inventory science kits

• Process book orders

• Help with MVP’S activities

• Help with special classroom events

• Go on field trips

• And many more…. (See the attached MVP’S Volunteer Pamphlet)

 

2020-2021 Mar Vista Volunteer Opportunities:

 

Volunteers should always:

 

-Refer discipline to site staff. Behavior concerns should be addressed by teachers and administrators only.

 

-Avoid physical contact with students.

 

-Refrain from contacting students outside of the school setting.

 

(in alphabetical order)

 

ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE

If you are unable to volunteer at your assigned time, please call within 24 hours to the staff member you are scheduled to work with, or the Mar Vista office at (831) 761-6177

 

BATHROOMS

Volunteers should not use student bathrooms. Please use the “adults only” bathrooms in the cafeteria or use the bathroom in the office area.

 

CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE AND RESTRICTIONS

Please put your cell phone on vibrate mode when working on campus. Cell phone ring tones and conversations are disruptive to the learning environment. Do not use your cell phone while driving in our parking lot. Do not use your cell phone while driving students on a field trip except when there is a field trip related emergency or if you need to contact the teacher. Exchange cell phone numbers with the teacher on the day of the field trip just in case there is an emergency.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY

All volunteers, no matter what job they perform, have an obligation to keep in confidence all information that pertains to the students and staff they assist. Information regarding students, staff, and other volunteers is not to be discussed with anyone who is not entitled to such information.

 

DEPENDABILITY

Volunteers are expected to report to their program on time during their scheduled hours. Please call if you are not going to be able to volunteer at set time. Thank you for your timely communication!

 

FIELD TRIPS

There are number of strict guidelines for field trips.

 

If you are driving on a field trip,  you must be fingerprinted and cleared by the district office (Please see above). Once you are cleared, you must have current copies of your driver’s license, insurance policy declaration page (that lists liability coverage), and our volunteer driver information form signed (available in the office) on file in the office prior to the field trip.

 

Exchange cell phone numbers with the teacher for emergency use only. Don’t use your cell phone while driving. If on the day of the trip, you are unable to fulfill your volunteer responsibilities, notify the teacher asap. Do not arrange for parent substitute on your own. Do not make any unscheduled stops when chaperoning students on a trip. This includes extra stops for treats or snacks or unplanned visits to nearby stores or gift shops. Remember that you are the adult in charge when assigned to monitor a group of children on a field trip. Carefully follow all instructions given to you by your child’s teacher and enjoy the day!

 

FINGER PRINTING

All volunteers working with students or on campus in any capacity must be in compliance with the volunteer requirements and must be cleared prior to working on campus.

 

POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT

We believe that all people, adults and children, deserve love and respect. We create a positive atmosphere in our programs by encouraging and supporting our students and one another. We do not accept verbal abuse of any kind.

 

SERIOUS BEHAVIOR CONCERNS

Serious concerns about student behavior during volunteer time should be referred to the teacher or another staff member immediately. Do not reprimand or try to discipline students. There is always a staff member nearby.

 

SIGN IN/OUT TIME SHEETS

Anyone entering the building must sign in and out and also wear a volunteer badge at all times. Please document all volunteer hours by recording your in and out times in the book in the office at the front desk. It is very important to us to know who is on campus at all times. Volunteer badges help alert us to any strangers who might be on campus.

 

SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse shall be defined as any mistreatment or neglect of a child by an adult resulting in serious injury or harm to the child. Any volunteer who suspects child abuse should notify the child’s teacher and/or a site administrator. It shall be the staff member's responsibility to relay the suspected child abuse to County Social Services.

 

VISITING WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS

Please refrain from visiting with other volunteers when in your child’s classroom. Parents gathering to chat outside a classroom can also be disruptive.

 

BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES

 

Recall that all discipline responses are to be conducted by teachers and administration. This is not a responsibility of volunteers or visitors. If you feel that a student may need a behavior intervention, please make a referral to the teacher in charge. Here are some ideas to assist you in encouraging the best behavior from our students.

 

1. POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

Refer to the PBIS expectation matrix and praise the child for doing the appropriate thing.

For example, “I like the way you started working right away.”

 

2. DISTRACTION/REDIRECTION/REFOCUS THE DISCUSSION

 

3. ACTIVE LISTENING

Sometimes it is enough for a child to hear that you understand and accept and understand their feelings.

 

4. CONSISTENCY

Be specific and follow through.

 

5. CHOICES

Choice does not mean allowing a child to not follow a directive.

Give the child some control over the situation.

Offer only choices you intend to honor.

For example, “Would you like to read to me in the hall or the media center?”

 

6. BEHAVIOR SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES

Let the child know exactly what it is that is expected for behavior at that time.

For example: “When the teacher is speaking, the students should be...”

Rather than using broad instruction such as, "Be good," be more specific.

For example, "Let's make sure to keep our conversation on topic - there's always time to chat at recess."

Tell the child what you want them to do vs. what you want them to stop doing.

Rather than telling the child to stop screaming, tell the child to please use an inside voice.

 

7. SETTING LIMITS/EXPECTATIONS

Limits are necessary and help kids feel safe, if enforced correctly.

Keep them simple and positive.

 

8. UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD

Treat all children with respect. Children do not have to earn this by behaving in a certain way. This is our right as human beings.

 

9. NATURAL/LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

Natural consequences happen without adult intervention.

“If you don't come to snack now, all the apples will be gone and

you won't get any.”

Logical consequences do require adult intervention.

“If you waste your reading time, it will run into your game time, and you'll have less time to play.”

 

10. HUMOR

A great way to defuse a tense situation, so that it can be dealt with more effectively, is to use humor. Never underestimate the power of a little bit of levity. Sarcasm is, however, not an appropriate form of humor with students. Sarcasm is usually misunderstood by children and frequently leads to bigger problems for everyone.

 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

 

PEOPLE YOU WILL WANT TO KNOW:

Principal: Stephanie Monroe

Academic Coordinator : Daniel Jacobsmeyer

School Secretary: Barbara DiPuma

Office Assistant: Kim Young

Health Assistant: Natasha Bennett

MVP’S President: Lani Almand

School Site Council President:  Carrie Mulcaire

ELAC President: 

 

SCHOOL PROCEDURES YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Fire Drill: Exit the nearest outside door that is not blocked.

Emergency Drill: An announcement will come over intercom: “This is a lock down drill.” “This is a lock down drill.” Please go to the nearest room and follow the instruction of the teacher or supervising adult.

Dress Code: Dress as a positive role model for children.

Our student dress code should guide you.

School Hours: 8:05 – 2:21 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)

8:05 – 12:35 (Wednesday)

Kindergarten Instructional Hours: 8:05 – 11:15 (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) 8:05 – 12:30 (Wednesday)

 

Office Hours: 7:30-4:00 Monday-Friday

 

OTHER:

Parking: Any where in parking lot except the lower lot.

Who to contact when you are late or absent: Email teacher you are scheduled to work with, or call Mar Vista office at 831-761-6177