Volunteer Manual

All interested volunteers must complete the Volunteer Application Form. After submission of the form, Harrison School District Two will contact you to schedule an appointment for fingerprinting. Fingerprinting is done at the District Office located at 1060 Harrison Road. Each applicant is screened, and a criminal background and fingerprint check is performed. You will be notified by email (or telephone if an email address is not provided) once the criminal background and fingerprint check is completed.

To ensure the safety of our students, individuals are cleared to volunteer in D2 schools only after the entire screening process is complete. All personal data and background check information remain confidential.

If you have any questions regarding the volunteer process or to verify whether or not you are already an approved volunteer, please contact us at 719-538-1334.

Every school requires volunteers to sign in via the front office software program when arriving at campus and also check out with the front office when leaving campus. You may be asked to present picture identification, such as a valid driver’s license.

All staff, students, volunteers, and community members play an important role in protecting children from inappropriate conduct by adults.

In a professional staff/student or volunteer/student relationship, adults are expected to maintain boundaries that are consistent with the legal and ethical duty of care that school personnel have for students.

Students, parents, and volunteers are strongly encouraged to notify the principal or other administrator if they believe a teacher or other staff member may be engaging in inappropriate conduct.

Descriptions of acceptable and unacceptable conduct are contained in the D2 Board Policies.

One of the most important responsibilities of being a school volunteer is to hold personal information about students in the strictest confidence. In the course of volunteering you may see, hear, or otherwise encounter personal, academic, or medical information about students and their families. You may be told this information by a teacher or a student, you may observe it through your service, or you may be asked to assist in the grading or assessment process. Regardless of how personal information about a particular child or family comes to you, note that this information is confidential. It is never to be shared with other volunteers, acquaintances from the community or other students.

If, in the course of your volunteer work with a child, you become aware that a student has suffered abuse, neglect, endangerment, or exploitation of any kind by any student or adult, bring your concern to the immediate attention of the teacher, school counselor, or principal. School employees are required by law to report acts of abuse to the proper authorities. Additionally, they need to know if any students are involved in dangerous or illegal activities so that they may intervene as soon as possible to keep the school community safe.

Harrison School District is committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and secure learning environment for all students. Harassment, intimidation and bullying of students by other students, staff members, volunteers, parents or guardians is prohibited. Harassment, intimidation, or bullying can be:

•  written, verbal or physical
• slurs, rumors, name-calling, jokes, innuendoes, demeaning comments, drawings, cartoons, pranks, gestures, hazing
• based on race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, academic ability, or mental, sensory, or physical disability

While volunteering, carefully examine your own words and actions to be sure you are not engaging in harassment, intimidation, or bullying. If you feel that you, a student, or staff member has been the victim of harassment of any kind, notify an administrator immediately so that the situation can be addressed.

Use the following guidelines to help ensure appropriate volunteer-student interaction:

• Be sure that you are dressed neatly and appropriately, being mindful of any bending, leaning over, or stretching that may be required in the course of your volunteer placement.
• Adhere to all school rules while volunteering. This means you may not smoke, and may not possess weapons, drugs, or alcohol on school grounds.
• Remember that many teachers establish discipline and reward systems in the classroom. It is your responsibility to follow this system. If you have concerns about discipline or rewards, discuss this with the classroom teacher privately and/or your building administrator.
• Limit physical contact to brief shows of support or praise.
• When talking to students and giving attention to students, be sure to treat all students in the same way.
• Do not make sexist or sexual comments and avoid innuendo.
• Avoid being alone with a student. If you are asked to provide individualized assistance to a student, be visible and in an open location.
• Complete all volunteer activities within the designated timeframe.
• Do not provide your phone number or address to any student and do not ask for the phone number or address of any student.
• Do not give gifts to or receive gifts from students.
• As a school volunteer, do not transport students at any time.
• Be sure to maintain student confidentiality at all times.
• Only use restrooms reserved for adults.

The work volunteers do is very important. Staff and students look forward to and depend on your volunteer assistance. Please make every effort to fulfill your volunteer obligations and to arrive on time. If you cannot attend a scheduled volunteer placement, please call the school as soon as possible so that other arrangements can be made. If you wish to cease being a district volunteer, please notify your school or the Harrison School District Two Communications Department so that we can process your departure.

Our volunteers represent many different ages, backgrounds, and interests. There are many ways to volunteer at Harrison School District Two.

You may have time to give each week, or maybe you only have time to volunteer for a particular event. In the course of your volunteer work, you may have a regular placement at one school, or you might prefer helping whenever and wherever you are needed, at any school in the district.

Whatever your interests as a volunteer, we can provide the right fit in Harrison School District Two.