Volunteer Information Trajan Elementary August 25, 2016

Volunteering Matters Family engagement in school correlates with higher academic performance for their child and for the school Parents who are involved at their child’s school have higher expectations for their child’s academic achievement, behavior and attendance Parents who volunteer at school spend more time reading with their children at home than parents who don’t volunteer Gains for students learning English are accelerated when their parents are involved at school Sources: National Education Association (NEA) and Learning Leaders Program

Getting Started Volunteer guidelines that are consistent in all San Juan schools: Volunteers will receive information (either individually or in a group setting) Volunteers need to sign in at the office and wear a sticker or badge identifying them as a visitor on campus Volunteers must be fingerprinted at the District Office if they will ever be alone with students All volunteers who drive or chaperone a field trip must go through the fingerprint process.

Student Safety In order to keep our schools safe, all volunteers and visitors on campus need to sign in at the front office and wear a visitors badge* In case of an emergency, we must be accountable for everyone on campus Feel free to remind adults on campus without a badge to go to office to get one * SJUSD Board Policy 1240

Do I need To Be Fingerprinted? Yes, if you will ever be alone with students (chaperoning a field trip, walking students from the class to the office, tutoring students) Once fingerprinted, district staff will get an from our HR department indicating if you are cleared to volunteer or not. The fingerprinting results usually come back within a few days, but can take up to several weeks depending on the Department of Justice. Do not wait until the last minute! School staff will notify you once you’ve been cleared to volunteer. School sites can check the name of all volunteers on their campus with the Megan’s Law database, whether or not they are fingerprinted

Fingerprinting 101 Once you are fingerprinted within San Juan USD, you do not need to be re-fingerprinted Businesses and organizations cannot share fingerprinting results. You may have been fingerprinted in the past for another organization, but by law, we have to have you fingerprint again Fingerprint results can take up to two weeks – don’t wait until the last minute Wait time for fingerprinting will be longer at the beginning and end of the school year

When, Where and How? SJUSD Human Resources Department fingerprints volunteers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at our main district office Walnut Avenue, Carmichael There is no charge for volunteers to be fingerprinted TB test results are not required Bring a valid California identification card and a copy of the Volunteer Form signed by the site administrator

Confidentiality Guidelines As a volunteer, you are not only supporting your child(ren), but all students at this school. You will likely learn information about students in the course of volunteering. By law*, all staff and volunteers need to keep information about students other than their own child confidential. Gossip is destructive and leads to misunderstandings and hurt feelings We ask that you immediately bring any concerns about student behavior or student safety to a school administrator. all adults keep a professional and positive attitude about our students and our school. * FERPA – Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Student Concerns If you have a concern about a student’s behavior or safety, please bring it to the teacher’s or Principal’s attention. Volunteers are not to discipline students. Volunteers are encouraged to use praise when they notice students making good choices.

Tips for Volunteers Show up at your scheduled time – we’re counting on you! Notify your supervisor ASAP if you are not going to be able to show up for your volunteer assignment Cell phones should be on silent or vibrate – please take any calls outside of the classroom Dress comfortably, but professionally

Tips, cont. You are a role model to the students in and out of school Younger children cannot accompany you for most volunteer activities Teachers will not be able to conference with you during the school day Use adult restrooms when needed

School Volunteer Opportunities PTA Events Assisting teachers in the classroom Assisting teachers by doing projects from home Field Trips Art Docent

Thank you! On behalf of the San Juan Board of Trustees, school and district staff, and most importantly, our students and leadership, we thank you for sharing your time and talents with your child’s school.