1. High Meadows School Volunteering and Confidentiality

2. Agenda  Volunteering  Confidentiality  Volunteering Guidelines  Final Thoughts  Suspected Child Abuse  School Procedures When on Campus  Emergency Procedures  Volunteer Paperwork

3. Volunteering at High Meadows Volunteering provides an opportunity to see our school philosophy and Mission in practice Volunteering is a wonderful way to model for your children your interest and involvement in their education and their school community Volunteering greatly helps our teachers provide the best possible learning environment for your child Volunteering helps to make you a part of our school community

4. Volunteer Opportunities  In the classroom  In the Library  At Ponies  On the Grounds  Work on Projects at Home  Help With SHARE Events or  School Events

5. Volunteering in the Classroom Working with your Room Parents, your teachers have set up volunteering times that work best for their particular class schedule. There are many opportunities for classroom help, such as cooking, gardening, library and pony rides. There are less opportunities available in the classroom for older students, but there are still many ways to help out around campus.

6. How do I volunteer? With SHARE  SHARE meetings are usually the 1 st Monday of each month in the Library, except for holidays. You will find out more about volunteering at SHARE meetings and at Parent Night.  You may also contact your Room Parent or teachers to volunteer.

7. Confidentiality Educational ethics warrant that confidentiality of information and families’ and children’s rights to privacy be protected. As a volunteer you are part of those principles. Volunteering privileges may be lost if confidentiality is broken.

8. Confidentiality Honor and respect the right of privacy of every High Meadows student and parent. Understand that any private information concerning student work, student behavior, student records and/or student medical information is considered privileged and SHOULD NEVER BE DISCUSSED outside the classroom. Agree to keep all such information confidential.

9. Confidentiality Please do not discuss any child in front of other children or with other parents. Be particularly careful if you are a parent with some type of expertise (speech therapist, psychologist, teacher, etc.)

10. Volunteering Guidelines Please turn cell phones off and use them only outside of the classroom – and never while driving on campus!

11. Interacting With Students Use a quiet voice with children. Be sure your sense of humor is one they can understand, without teasing or sarcasm. Be aware of children’s questions as an opportunity to encourage problem solving and to develop their competence in using resources and peers. Instead of giving a quick, closed answer, provide options to help children think through the solution.

12. Positive Reinforcement Use positive, specific reinforcement that highlights the students’ appropriate behaviors, accomplishments, and work. When group sessions are underway, please join and listen. Model a courteous, attentive attitude. Separate conversations are distracting and should take place outside the classroom.

13. Positive Discipline Let teachers handle any discipline problems. Become familiar with the strategies they use, and turn to them if help is needed.

14. Please Note Volunteering with our students is most successful when you come alone, without other children. Please plan to give the students your undivided attention and leave younger siblings with a sitter.

15. Enhancing your effectiveness as a volunteer in the classroom Confer with teachers about your own child OUTSIDE of volunteer duties by scheduling an appointment so that discussions can occur with a sense of confidentiality and sharing. This is not a time to confer with teachers about your child.

16. Please Be On Time Be prompt and email the teacher or room parent if you will not be able to be in class as expected. If you arrive early, please wait quietly and observe the classroom. Arrive and depart at the prearranged times.

17. Parent Concerns Clarify any concerns or confusions that arise while volunteering by setting an appointment with teachers when they can fully attend to your questions.

18. Respect for Teachers and Their Classroom Support teachers in their role of selecting classroom practices and experiences. Recognize that teachers are ultimately responsible for the overall well-being of the group.

19. A Note on Allergies Please consider the fact that there are many children at High Meadows with allergies to peanuts, as well as other foods. Although it is a kind gesture, it is our policy that children and adults do not share their food with others.

20. Some Final Thoughts There are times when children just can’t handle their parents being in the classroom. Behavior such as clinging or crying is disruptive and can cause distress in other children. Realize that sometimes parents many need to choose other volunteer opportunities.

21. Be sure that when you are volunteering in the classroom that your focus includes all children in the room. Although you may work with your own child, the teachers are counting on you to work with everyone.

22. Please discuss specific inappropriate behaviors with the teacher as soon as possible. This is particularly important for parent volunteers who accompany classes on field trips.

23. Suspected Child Abuse Georgia law requires child service organization personnel to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Child service organization personnel means persons employed by or volunteering at a business or an organization, whether public, private, for profit, not for profit, or voluntary. Any suspected case of child abuse or neglect should be reported to the Head of School or the School Counselor.

24. Child Abuse Resources To learn more about recognizing and reporting child abuse, go to http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov http://dfcs.dhr.georgia.gov Click on the following link for a free online training course: http://children.georgia.gov/press- releases/2012-07-27/governor-signs- amendment-expanding-mandated-reporter- laws http://children.georgia.gov/press- releases/2012-07-27/governor-signs- amendment-expanding-mandated-reporter- laws

25. School Procedures When On Campus  Every time you are on campus, please sign in at the Main Office where you will receive a photo ID visitor/volunteer nametag.  For larger group events where checking in at the office would be impractical, you should wear your High Meadows nametag lanyard. The teacher or room parent can answer questions about this if you are unsure.

26. Emergency Procedures Steady Tone – Go inside. (Weather, Intruder) 2 nd Steady Tone – Severe weather, proceed to designated sheltered area with class. Fluctuating Tone – Go outside to designated meadow area. (Fire, Bomb Threat) 2 nd Fluctuating Tone – Go to far edge of meadows. Will be followed by an intercom announcement.

27. Emergency Procedures All teachers/classrooms have walkie-talkies and will use walkie-talkies or runners as the main form of communication during an emergency. Any parents/visitors or volunteers on campus during an emergency should stay with their class/group and follow the directions of staff members. Parents/visitors should not use their cell phones in these situations.

28. Emergency Procedures Rest assured that each staff member has been briefed regarding emergency procedures, and each classroom/staff member has a red emergency plan binder in their possession. These binders include all emergency and contact information.

29. Volunteer Paperwork Requirement  Please be sure to print your name and your child/children’s class(es) on the Confidentiality Agreement and sign it.  Please complete and sign the Background Check Consent if we did not get one from you last year or the year before. (A Background Check is required once every 3 years).  Please complete and sign the Waiver and Release of Liability.  All paperwork is confidential and held by the HR Department in a locked cabinet.

30. Thank you! Thank you for your time and your commitment to becoming a volunteer! If you have further questions, please contact Lee Hunter at lhunter@highmeadows.org; your teachers/room parents; or any Administrator. Have a wonderful day and HAPPY VOLUNTEERING! lhunter@highmeadows.org