Introduction to Volunteering

Agenda  Opportunities of All Shapes and Sizes  Taking the Lead  Resources Information and Tour  Volunteer Appreciation  Closing Remarks

School Opportunities

Volunteer Opportunities at HHES  Classroom activities and/or parties  Field trips  PBIS Incentive Days  Copying for teachers and staff  Assisting teacher in classroom/lesson prep  Storytelling  Mentoring and tutoring

Goals for Today’s Orientation To understand of the role of the volunteer in our program To review the policies and procedures relevant to our volunteer program To review the responsibilities of any volunteer in our school

How do I Start? Attend the Mandatory Volunteer Training Watch the AACPS volunteer video Provide your information ( ) Signupgenius.com

Provide a positive relationship with the students and staff Give individualized assistance to students Help teachers with non-instructional tasks so they have more time to work with the children Works as a team member with the faculty and staff Share your talents. The Role of the Volunteer

Volunteer Responsibilities  Know and practice the code of conduct  Maintain caring and a professional attitude  Be prompt and dependable  Help keep the building safe (Sign in and wear a name tag)  Allow the teacher to handle discipline  Be flexible

Volunteer Code of Ethics As a volunteer, I am a member of an educational team. As a volunteer member of that team…  I shall maintain the dignity necessary to gain the respect of students and set a good example at all times.  I will show high regard for each child by being courteous, impartial, and fair.  I will respect those with whom I work.  I will not impose my own religious or political views upon students.  I understand that I will work under the supervision

Confidentiality is Crucial As a member of the educational team, each volunteer must understand that all information regarding children, teachers, and the school is confidential and should remain in the school setting!

Confidentiality includes…  Student performance  Student behavior  Conversations heard amongst staff  Concerns with teachers and staff  Incidents with students  Health and medical issues  Parent information

Computer Data is confidential too! Some school system data is confidential! Some student work on computers can be confidential!

While in School.... Please Respect Teachers’ Schedules

While in School.... Safety First Please ensure the care of your Preschool Age Children before Volunteering

While in School… Always remember to sign in and out! Make sure to tell the office that you are volunteering.

Be a Good Role Model Set a good example. Be courteous, impartial, and fair. Earn respect. Give respect. Do not impose your own religious or political views upon students.

Be a Good Role Model There is no dress code for adults. But, we ask that you follow the same dress code we ask our students to follow!

The Do Nots!!!! Do not smoke on any school property. Do not bring drugs or alcohol onto our property.

Please Remember: Call the school if you will not be able to come in on your volunteer day

HHES Systems that are in place…  We are a PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports) School  3 R’s  Respect yourself, Respect others, and Respect Property  We use a voice level chart at HHES  Level 1=Silence  Level 2=Whisper  Level 3=Soft Voice  Level 4=Teacher Voice  Level 5=Outside

Background Checks Not Required for regular classroom volunteers who are also parents of students in the school Commercial Background Checks Suggested for regular classroom volunteers who are not parents of students in the school Required for volunteers who go on overnight trips or have unrestricted access to students Required for PTA/PTO/CAC or Booster Group Officers Required for volunteers going to Arlington Echo or Drownproofing

It begins and ends with SECURITY Sexual Harassment Child Abuse

For your gift of time now and throughout the school year! Questions/Concerns: Avita Chavez or PTA

PTA Opportunities

PTA Opportunities: Larger Events/Activities  Board Positions (2-Year Term)  Vacancies - President and Secretary  Coordinator/Chair (2-year term)  Hullabaloo  Winter Event  Product Sale Fundraiser(s)  Bookfairs  Talent Show  Walk-A-Thon  Restaurant Fundraisers  Communication/Social Media  Swag sales  Membership  Volunteer  New Ideas???

PTA Opportunities: Smaller Events/Activities  Committee member for larger event  Coordinator for smaller event  Ice Cream Social  Reading Night  Math Night  Science Fair  Skate Night  Movie Night  New Ideas?

Other Types of Opportunities  “Day-of” event/activity volunteer  Activity-specific supply purchasing  Newsletter  Scrips  Boxtops  Coke Points  Presentation coordinator  Copies/Distribution  Marquee  Grant Writing  Parent Liaison for External Committees  IT  Other ideas?

Ways to Get Information aout Volunteering  Check the Volunteer Ops section of our webpage:  Contact Event Chairs or Avita Chavez  Send an to  Respond to calls for volunteers listed in the newsletter, distribution s, or event flyers

Taking the Lead: Steps to take ASAP  Lead and budget assigned by PTA Board  Choose the date for event, confirm it with:  PTA Board  Front Office Personnel (Mrs. Kimble)  Val, Head Custodian  Identify Committee Members (for planning)  Take a look at supplies that PTA has available for use  Make plan/timeline leading up to event  Create a brief spend plan and share with PTA Board  Make contact with former chairs or event volunteers if you want past experience insights

Rules to Remember  Have fun and be creative!  Respect the school property…leave it the way you found it.  After-hours events require a staff (or custodial team) member to be present  Don’t forget the teachers…they are a great resource  Contracts generally need to be signed by PTA president

Rules to Remember  If kitchen food prep is needed, must contact kitchen staff for assistance  “High Risk” Activities are restricted…check with PTA board if you have questions. Some examples include: mechanical amusement equipment, inflatables, skating, rock climbing, obstacle courses, trampolines, etc.  No food in gym. Need rubber soled shoes in gym.

Taking the Lead: Next Steps to Take  Assess what needs to be done and assign person responsible…check in to ensure that it is completed.  Assess how many volunteers you need and for what. Then recruit by posting on webpage/sending an to PAT members (this is arranged through a request submitted to  Ask for donations from parents/businesses  Contact Meade High School Key Club if you need HS volunteers  Buy supplies (save receipts). Budget overruns must be approved by board  Advertise Event  Website (ASAP)  Marquee and Newsletter (Month of)  Mrs. Taylor’s notes to staff (Month of)  Flyer and morning announcements(~1-3 weeks out)  Labels (day-of)

Taking the Lead: Final Steps to Take  Closet may be used for short term of supplies  Have volunteer assignments in advance or prepared ahead of time  Leave time for set up (note that gym and cafeteria are in use for much of the day)…plan accordingly  Do a trial run with AV  Make signs, assign greeters to conduct the flow of traffic  Don’t forget to have volunteers assigned for clean-up duty!

Resources  Budget  Total established for each event  Brief Spend Plan must be submitted to board  For example: Hullaballoo Budget $1000 total, $200 for DJ, $400 for refreshments, $300 for prizes/candy, $100 for carnival-style game supplies  Must submit receipts for reimbursement (can be submitted “as-you-go” or all at once  Submit receipts to the PTA Treasurer or through the PTA mailbox labeled ATTN: Treasurer  Must be the same school year

Storage Areas  Mail room  Copier (requires code…send an to the PTA box or board member if you need it)  Storage closet

Volunteer Rewards  Volunteer “Hour” Power  Log each hour you volunteer at School/PTA activities and events  Each hour logged is an entry into our grand prize drawing  Grand prize is a family gift basket with a total value ~$100.  Any volunteer logging at least 10 hours receives an award at the end of the year  Please volunteer anytime and often!

Questions?   Board members  Former chairs and veteran volunteers **Please consider some of the opportunities we have available for the School Year**