Madison Volunteer

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:

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.

• 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 . 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…