Madison Volunteer,

Thank you for choosing to serve the students of the Madison Elementary School District! 

In keeping with the mission statement of the District, the major goal of the volunteer program is to inspire passion for learning and leading in an ever-changing world. The services of volunteers are utilized in schools to accomplish the following goals: 

 Future-Focused Learning

 Inclusivity & Wellness

 Community Strength

 Optimized Resources

Volunteerism is encouraged and supported (A.R.S. § 15-102). Volunteers make valuable contributions to educational programs and staff support. As such, the volunteer’s role is an important one. The purpose of this handbook is to assist in screening, training, utilizing, and supporting volunteers.

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS

• School Check-In Procedure:  During school hours, every volunteer must check in and out at the school office each time he or she is on campus to volunteer.

• Communication:  As a volunteer, you will meet many wonderful students. Please be aware that volunteers may not telephone students or visit them at their homes. Volunteers may not meet students off campus, or invite students to the volunteer’s home. They also may not walk or drive a student home. Contacting or visiting students or any of their family members outside of school without parent permission is strictly prohibited and includes but is not exclusive to email, social media, telephoning, or texting. 

• Confidentiality:  It is imperative that all matters pertaining to students remain confidential. Any information regarding problems, progress, grades, relationships, and confidences of students, their parents, and the staff should never be discussed with anyone who does not have the professional right or need to know them. Student information is protected as confidential by federal law (Family Education Rights and Privacy Act). Anything that a child may confide in you about family matters or personal problems should be kept confidential. Probing into student’s family life or private matters is not acceptable. If the information is vital for the school to have in order to help the student, please discuss the child’s conversation in private with his or her teacher or school administration. 

• Dress:  Please take your lead from the professional staff and dress appropriately for the job you are doing. We ask that you wear professional attire that is neat and conservative. Your appearance should attract no undue attention. Please do not wear spaghetti straps, revealing clothing, tube tops, tank tops, short-shorts or show bare midriffs. T-shirt messages should be of a positive nature. Keep in mind that you are in a position to set an example for students, therefore your dress, speech and behavior should serve as good models for them to follow. Please follow the District dress code. 

• Behavior:  Volunteers may not engage in any behavior or activity that may cause harm to themselves or others. In addition, physical contact is not encouraged and should be limited to a brief encouraging behavior such as a “high five”. 

• Health:  Schools are particularly concerned about keeping students and staff healthy. If you are not feeling well, please do not try to keep up with your volunteer duties.  Please call in advance to let the staff member know you won’t be coming in at your scheduled time.  

• School Rules:  Become familiar with the rules, policies, and procedures of the school where you will be volunteering. This can be done through reading the Student-Parent Handbook located on the Madison website at madisonaz.org. The handbook is also available from either the teacher you are working with or the school secretary. 

• Allergies:  The needs of students, staff, and volunteers vary when it comes to allergies. For that reason, please consult your school about procedures to be followed regarding allergies. It is critical that these procedures be followed exactly. Do not bring anything to school or give anything to students without consulting the teacher first. For example, a classroom may be a peanut-free zone, or a school may be latex-free, and something as simple as an eraser may be a hazard. Please do not wear perfume or cologne. Please remember to share any special needs you may have with the staff as well. 

• Cell Phones:  To ensure that the learning environment is not disrupted, cell phones are to remain completely silent with limited use when volunteering. 

• Insurance:  Madison School District does not carry health insurance or worker's compensation insurance for volunteers. Any injuries that occur while volunteering must be reported immediately to the school nurse. 

• Bathrooms:  Staff restrooms are located in the school offices and are available to volunteers.  Do not use student restrooms. Never go to the restroom alone with students. Chaperones should be in pairs when taking students to the restroom. 

Children of Volunteers:  Volunteers and chaperones may not bring other children while volunteering in schools, on field trips, or on overnight trips.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Supervision of Volunteers:  Volunteers work under the direct supervision of the professional staff at each school and only with those teachers who have requested the services of a volunteer. It is the responsibility of the school administration, supervising teachers, or volunteer coordinator to dismiss any volunteer whose actions are not in the best interest of our students or the schools. 

• Volunteer Restrictions:  While volunteers are an important part of the educational team, the professional staff is responsible by law for decisions that are made regarding the instruction of students, the management of the school, and student safety and discipline. Therefore, volunteers will always work under the supervision of teachers and administrators. We welcome the suggestions and opinions of volunteers as you supplement and support our programs. There are, however, a few things that volunteers should NOT do: 

• Discipline or counsel students 
• Have access to student records or medical files 
• Dismiss students from school 
• Work with students without a teacher or staff member present 
• Discuss student progress or student difficulties with parents 
• Give food or medication to students 
• Evaluate achievement which includes grading student work
• Drive District vehicles 
• Distribute advertisements or solicitations or other non-approved literature