We appreciate your willingness to assist with the many tasks that are a part of creating an effective learning program for the children in the Shoreline School District.  Volunteers in our schools have been critical links in the learning process of our students.  Volunteers are actively recruited from our parents, local high schools, businesses and corporations as well as retired and senior adults. In working with volunteers, district staff shall clearly explain the volunteer’s responsibility for supervising students in school and/or related activities. On field trips, both students and volunteers are to be informed of the rules of student behavior and the means by which they are to be held accountable to those rules.

To help make our services more effective, the following procedures have been adopted:

1. All volunteers, including parents/guardians, must complete a Washington State Patrol Background Check form each year in order to volunteer at school or to attend field trips.  The form may be included in the beginning of the year Student Information Packet or is available at the front office.
2. All volunteer drivers transporting students in their personal vehicle, including parents/guardians, must complete a Shoreline School District Volunteer Driver Checklist Form each year.
3. If you plan to stay overnight at any school events, you must complete a fingerprinting form.  Forms are available from the office. Fee not covered by school.
4. All volunteers, including parents, work under a supervising teacher or other staff person.  Contact your child’s teacher to arrange a time to help or check with the volunteer coordinator if there is one in your school to find out about other opportunities to help.
5. Each time you arrive on campus, you must stop by the office and sign the visitor’s log book and wear a Visitor’s sticker or other such form of ID.
6. If you are expected as a volunteer but are unable to appear on a given day, please call the school office so they can alert your teacher or other supervisor who is expecting you.
7. Younger children should not be brought to school during your volunteer time, including field trips, unless previously arranged with staff.
8. There are no changes in carpool unless authorized by the teacher.
9. Car seats – Washington’s Child Restraint Law, effective June 1, 2007 states that “children less than eight year old must be restrained in child restraint systems, unless the child is four feet nine inches or taller.  A child who is eight years old or older, or four feet nine inches or taller, must be properly restrained either with the motor vehicle’s safety belt or an appropriately fitting child restraint system.  Children under thirteen years old must be transported in rear seats where it is practical to do so.”

In the Shoreline School District, our student’s safety and yours are paramount.  We strive to provide a safe, healthy, supportive environment for students, staff and volunteers.  To help create this, we ask that you follow this guideline:

Safe Interaction with Students

All volunteers should work under supervised conditions:  This means

• There should be another volunteer, district employee, or parent in the area where you are working with student(s).  If you are going to work one-on-one or in small groups away from the classroom, leave the door to the classroom open or stay in an open, visible area.  Make sure you are in plain sight.
• To protect your privacy, or that of the students, do not ask for a student’s address, phone number or to take their picture.  Also, do not share your address or phone number with a student without discussing it with your classroom teacher or the school administrator.
• Use adult/staff restrooms only.  Do not accompany a student into the restroom.
• All that you learn from staff about your student or from interacting with your student(s) is confidential information.  Please remember this when discussing your volunteer work outside the school or with family.

Safe Verbal Communication

• Let your conversation demonstrate respect for others and yourself.  Avoid language that may be perceived as discriminatory, sexist or offensive.  Remember that you are a role model for the students.
• Treat all students in the same manner.
• If a student shares any information with you that causes you concern for their safety or health, TELL THE TEACHER OR THE PRINCIPAL.  They will follow up on the information appropriately.  Please keep the content of the information and action you took strictly confidential.

Safe Touch Areas

• Handshakes and high fives are considered appropriate, friendly touches.
• If a students wants to hug you, show them how to “hug from the side” – bending down so that your shoulders are level with the student’s.  Let the student initiate this kind of behavior.
• Never touch a child in anger.  If a student is unruly or disrespect, return them to the classroom and let the teacher take over from there.
• The bottom line is to use your best judgment at all times.  Treat the students as you wish to be treated… with dignity, care and respect.

Guidelines for Volunteer Field Trip Chaperones

Prior to your field trip, the coordinating staff member will provide you with information regarding the activities planned for the trip, expectations for supervising students, and emergency procedures.  In addition, we have developed the following general guidelines to help you perform your duties as a chaperone.  If you have any questions regarding these guidelines, please contact the coordinating staff member or the building principal/director

1. All school rules apply on District-sponsored events.  Chaperones are expected to comply with District policies, follow the directions given by the District’s coordinating staff member, work cooperatively with other staff and volunteers, and model appropriate behaviors for students.
2. In order to comply with District policy, during District sponsored events, chaperones:

• may not use, sell, provide, possess, or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• may not use tobacco in the presence of, or within the sight of, students
• may not possess any weapon
• may not administer any medications, prescription or non-prescription, to students.

1. Students must be supervised at all times while at District-sponsored events.  As a chaperone, you will supervise a small group of students, helping them learn and making sure they behave appropriately.  Students must stay with you, their chaperone, at all times.  Go over use of the buddy system with students under your care.  Account for all participants regularly and before changing activities.  Be sure you know when and where to meet the rest of your group at the end of the visit.  Chaperones must be readily available, be mindful of safety concerns, and respond to students’ needs.
2. Eating and drinking are not permitted outside of designated areas and predetermined times.
3. For the protection of both the student and the chaperone, chaperones should not place themselves in situations in which they are alone with a student.
4. Family members /friends of a chaperone may not participate in a District-sponsored field trip/event unless prior approval has been obtained from the building principal.
5. Chaperones who transport students in their personal vehicle must complete the Volunteer Checklist Form.  You are expected to comply with all District and State Student Transportation Rules and Regulations.  Be aware that your personal vehicle insurance provides primary coverage in the event of an accident or injury.
6. Be sure to know what to do in an emergency (medical/natural emergency, lost child, serious breach of rule, etc.).  Know who is first aid trained, where the first aid kit is, where the cell phone is kept, and who has the copies of parental permission slips with emergency phone numbers and medical information.

Volunteer Job Examples

Cascade K-8 Community School cannot function without parent participation.  The list below gives a few examples of just some of the jobs that parents fill:

• Back to School Picnic – Help organize back to school picnic
• Bike-a-thon – Help with Bike-a-thon and/or Bike Rodeo
• Book Fair – Help with a Used Book Fair
• Campbell’s Soup Labels – Set up collection box, solicit labels and order items
• Child Care during Meetings – Arrange for care of kids during parent meetings
• Drive on field trips – Drive and chaperone students on field trips
• Electives – Teach a monthly elective to students on a topic of your choice
• Fall Camp – Coordinate or help with fall overnight trip held in September
• Government Store – Coordinate a shopping day using CK8 ‘currency’
• In-Class Assistance – Help in the classroom, routinely or for a special event
• Lost and Found – Organize and maintain lost and found throughout year
• Moving On Ceremony – Assist in year-end Moving-On Ceremony
• Community Place – Organize Community Place and clean on a weekly basis
• Photographer – Organize photos and arrange for photos to be taken at events
• Reflections Contest – Coordinate participation in the PTA art contest
• Seasonal Events Coordinator – Organize school celebrations related to seasons
• Snacks – Organize snack schedule