Volunteer Orientation District School Board of Pasco County Policies & Procedures District School Board of Pasco County Policies & Procedures

Three Types: Volunteer, Visitor, Vendor / Volunteer- a person who can volunteer repeatedly and often in all areas of school and with all students as agreed upon by school and volunteer. Can travel on buses with students off campus on field trips and/or athletic and special school sponsored activities. Has passed a state background and sexual predator and offender check EACH YEAR (July 1-June 30). A person who helps with an athletic team and/or event but does not get paid is a volunteer and should complete the volunteer approval process.

Visitor / Visitor - is either a parent who has not passed the background check and wants to spend time with their child or a person who intends to be in the school for a short, one time only event and will not be working directly with students such as an assembly speaker or the media. If the person is a parent, they are allowed to spend time with their own child only. They cannot be with other students or in parts of the school where other students congregate such as lunchroom, library, or athletic fields. They cannot travel on a bus with students going on field trips or to off campus events. They can travel in their own vehicle with their own child to such an event if they wish. They should be escorted by a school employee to and from their child while traveling on school grounds. Intended for special circumstances, like Head Start where parent involvement is mandated by law or a one time only event approved by the principal.

Vendor / Vendor - a person who receives money for their services from a source other than the DSBPC. In addition to completing the online volunteer application and passing a state background check and sexual predator and offender check annually (July 1-June 30) like regular volunteers, they must also be fingerprinted and pass a national background check. The person pays for this additional level of screening by making a check out to the DSBPC for $85. An example of a vendor is a “volunteer” coach who receives a stipend from a Booster Club.

School Volunteer List / School volunteer coordinators, assistant principals, and principals can access the school’s list of approved volunteers. / Check with school staff for status of volunteer applicants. / The school list changes frequently as new volunteer applicants are processed. / School volunteer coordinators, assistant principals, and principals can access the school’s list of approved volunteers. / Check with school staff for status of volunteer applicants. / The school list changes frequently as new volunteer applicants are processed.

School Volunteer List cont. / The school list will have “Approved”, “On The List”, or “Do Not Use” by each name. / Approved means the person can be used immediately. / Pending means the person cannot be used and a letter has been sent to the person requesting more information be mailed to the district explaining a charge(s) on the background check. This information is reviewed by the Professional Review Committee (PRC) to determine whether or not the person is approved. The person may not volunteer until approval is granted. / Do Not Use means the person cannot volunteer in Pasco schools. / The school list will have “Approved”, “On The List”, or “Do Not Use” by each name. / Approved means the person can be used immediately. / Pending means the person cannot be used and a letter has been sent to the person requesting more information be mailed to the district explaining a charge(s) on the background check. This information is reviewed by the Professional Review Committee (PRC) to determine whether or not the person is approved. The person may not volunteer until approval is granted. / Do Not Use means the person cannot volunteer in Pasco schools.

Guidelines: / Volunteers must be approved by district before volunteering / Volunteers must be supervised by an administrator or staff member / Volunteers may not take a student off campus without staff approval / Volunteers must be approved by district before volunteering / Volunteers must be supervised by an administrator or staff member / Volunteers may not take a student off campus without staff approval

Guidelines, cont’d: / Initial background checks and sexual predator checks are done before approval, every year thereafter (July 1-June 30) / Volunteers checked against sexual predator database every time they are scanned through Raptor / Volunteers should follow school’s dress code and other policies and procedures / Initial background checks and sexual predator checks are done before approval, every year thereafter (July 1-June 30) / Volunteers checked against sexual predator database every time they are scanned through Raptor / Volunteers should follow school’s dress code and other policies and procedures

Guidelines, cont’d: / Volunteers should not bring preschool age children to school with them / Student confidentiality is MOST important, REMEMBER / Volunteers should report suspected abuse to volunteer coordinator / Volunteers should not bring preschool age children to school with them / Student confidentiality is MOST important, REMEMBER / Volunteers should report suspected abuse to volunteer coordinator

Recommendations: / Volunteering is supportive in nature / Learn school procedures and policies, including emergency procedures / Set up regular schedule with teachers or coordinator / Learn rules of teacher for consistency / Volunteering is supportive in nature / Learn school procedures and policies, including emergency procedures / Set up regular schedule with teachers or coordinator / Learn rules of teacher for consistency

Recommendations, cont’d: / If working with individual student, let teacher/coordinator know in advance / Administration has final say on continued service / If working with individual student, let teacher/coordinator know in advance / Administration has final say on continued service

Thank you for your dedication to Pasco County Students and Staff!