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For specific volunteer jobs, please go to "Discussion" on this web site

GETTING STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER

  1. To ensure good communication and safety for all, Parkwood School requires completion of the following documents:
    • Volunteer Registration. This information helps us to know your interests, preferences, and availability.
    • Washington State Patrol Background Check. (.doc) We screen all volunteers who work directly with children through the WA State Patrol Computer Database. To do this you are asked to fill out a WA State Patrol Background Check form every school year. Once filled out, please bring the form to the school office with your driver's license. Office personnel will make a copy of your driver's license to attach to the form, which is sent to the district offices. This information is confidential and remains in the district offices, not at Parkwood. Please do not send a copy of your driver's license because office personnel must verify the license before sending a copy to the district offices.
      This document may be obtained from this website, from the school office, or from the office of the Parkwood Volunteer Coordinator.
  2. Identify your own interests and skills. See our Home page for a few handy suggestions.
  3. Consult Discussion for specific volunteer opportunities.
  4. Contact your child's teacher to learn his/her needs. Many teachers will have a Volunteer Wish List posted outside the classroom.  Or, if you don't have a student at Parkwood, contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
  5. Acquaint yourself with the Volunteer Handbook and the Shoreline School District Guidelines for Appropriate Behavior and Communication.
  6. Questions? Contact the Parkwood Volunteer Coordinator, at 206-368-4150,  or come by room 23.

VOLUNTEER HANDBOOK

Thank you for your willingness to assist with the many tasks that are part of creating a very successful school! To help make our services more effective, we require the following procedures.

Sign-In / Sign-Out

  • When you arrive at the school, go to the office to sign in. When you leave school, it is important that you also sign out.
  • School office staff needs to know when you are in the building and where you will be.
  • School office staff needs to be able to locate you in case of emergencies.

  • Identification

    • For student safety, school staff needs to be able to identify all people in the building. You are asked to wear a volunteer I.D. badge when you are at school.
    • Students will feel more secure when they see your badge.

    Background Checks

    • All volunteers in the Shoreline School District are required to undergo a Washington State Patrol Background check before they are allowed to be with students.
    • If you drive students on school field trips, you must give information on your vehicle and insurance on the form provided at your school.
    • You will also be asked to register your phone and address so that school office staff may contact you with important information and/or schedule changes.

    TO BE A SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEER

    Be Reliable

    • Be on time.
    • Notify the school in case of absences.
    • Secure a replacement, if possible.
    • Come prepared to work.
    • Do not bring other people with you when you volunteer.

    Understand the Importance of Confidentiality

    • Refuse to discuss teachers, students, or school affairs with anyone except the appropriate staff member in a professional, problem-solving atmosphere.

    Accept the School's Organizational Structure

    • Be willing to work with the direction from staff and supervision by staff members.
    • Respect the teacher's decisions regarding priority of work to be done.
    • Defer to teachers when using the copy machines.
    • Recognize that the staff lunchroom is for staff use only.

    Be A Positive Role Model for Students

    • Set a good example with regard to appearance and behavior.
    • Respect all students and their parents regardless of socio-economic status, race, cultural background, religion, etc.
    • Follow school policies and practices.

    HOW CHILDREN LEARN

    1. Children learn by doing
    2. Children learn by asking questions and by searching for answers to their questions
    3. They learn by discovery
    4. They learn by using their senses when possible
    5. They learn by experimenting
    6. They learn by sorting and combining objects and ideas
    7. They learn by repeating experiences
    8. They learn by building confidence in themselves
    9. Children learn behavior by observing people they respect

    MAKING A CONNECTION

    1. Be patient when working with students. Give yourself time to find your niche.
    2. Names are important. Make sure you say the student's name the way the student wants it to be said. Make sure the student knows your name and can pronounce it correctly.
    3. Treat individuals with respect and courtesy and expect the same in return.
    4. Show that you are interested in the student as a person by listening carefully to what he/he says and showing you care by words and action.
    5. Encourage and support student successes. Build confidence by praising students honestly and frequently. Remember attentiveness and effort can be as important as performance. Accentuate the positive and minimize the negative.
    6. Avoid making comparisons between students, between teachers, and between schools.
    7. Be fair and consistent.
    8. Students make mistakes. Let them know that making mistakes is part of learning. Don't be afraid of making mistakes yourself.
    9. Be trustworthy and honest in your approach and attitude. Students will trust and respect you when you are "real".

    GUIDELINES

    Work Location

    Most of the time you will be working in a classroom under the direct supervision of school staff. Occasionally, a teacher may ask that you work just outside the classroom door, in the library, or in another room. It is important that you always work in an area where you are easily seen and accessible to school staff.

    Working With School Staff

    Meeting with the teacher or staff member prior to beginning your volunteer work can make your experience more rewarding. Use this time to ask questions about what you will do and how the teacher or staff member wants the work done. Establish how the teacher wants you to handle any student misbehaviors you may observe. Talk about a system for regular communication. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know the teacher and to learn about any students with whom you may be working.

    Communication

    It is important that you and the teacher or staff member with whom you work have a regular and reliable means of communicating with one another. Some teachers may use a notebook; others may prefer short notes; still others my want to speak with you after each session. Some may even ask to call you at home. Discuss communication at your first meeting with him or her. You will feel more confident and comfortable.

    Commitment

    The time you give to our schools is deeply appreciated. We know that teachers and students come to depend on this assistance and expect the volunteer to be at the school at an agreed upon time. However, there may be times when you are unable do keep your commitment. When that happens, we ask that you notify the teacher or leave a message with the office so that everyone with whom you work can be informed that you are unable to be there.

    Discipline

    As a volunteer you are asked to support the school's discipline policies while you will not be directly responsible for handling discipline issues. When in doubt, always ask your teacher or another staff person what to do.

    Parkwood School Behavior Expectations

    • Show kindness and respect to everyone.
    • Make safe choices.
    • Take responsibility for your work and actions.
    • Give your best effort every day.

    Remember, bullying will not be tolerated. Parkwood must be a safe and comfortable place for everyone!

    Problem-Solving

    We want your volunteer experience to be satisfying. Sometimes, despite our mutual best efforts, things do not work out as planned. Working in a situation where you are unhappy is not beneficial to you or the students. If there are problems that arise during your volunteer experience at your school, please bring them to the volunteer coordinator's attention as soon as possible. We will handle those issues promptly and courteously, with respect for the dignity of all.

    Use of Telephones

    Our telephone lines are limited and we ask that you make personal phone calls prior to arriving or after leaving school. If you need to make or receive a call while you are at school, you may ask to use the phone in the school office or in the classroom if it is not disrupting to the class. All classrooms have a phone. Should you receive an emergency phone call while you are with us, we will contact you according to the information given in the volunteer/visitor logbook. Please turn off your personal cell-phone at school.

    Use of School Equipment

    There may be times when a teacher will ask you to do work that requires you to use school equipment. If you have any questions about how to operate the equipment, please ask the teacher or another designated staff member to demonstrate. Knowing how to use the equipment will save you much frustration and time. You may also be asked to help students with their work on computers. You can usually rely on the children to know the programs they are using and the rules for safe use of computers. Volunteers should seek permission before using school computers for personal use.

    Restrooms

    All adults must use the adult bathrooms, not the student bathrooms.

    EMERGENCY DRILLS

    Schools regularly conduct drills so they can be prepared for emergencies. If you are in the building at a time when drills are conducted, you are expected to participate in the exercises. Follow the lead of the staff member as to what to do. Your student may also be helpful, as they have practiced more times than you have. Refer to the building map in this handbook for exit routes and assembly locations.

    Earthquake

    Drop, Cover, and Hold until an "all clear" is sounded. If it is necessary to evacuate the building, leave by the designated routes and assemble at the pre-determined location.

    Fire

    Evacuate the building according to designated routes that are posted in each classroom. Assemble at the predetermined location. Maintain quiet so that necessary instructions can be heard.

    Lockdown

    Remain inside the classroom with blinds drawn and doors locked until "all clear" is sounded. If you are outside a classroom, stay away from open, easily seen areas and move into the nearest classroom if possible.

    Thank you for making a positive difference at Parkwood School!

VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES FOR APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AND COMMUNICATION

In the Shoreline School District our students' safety, and yours, are paramount. We strive to provide a safe, healthy, supportive environment for students, staff and volunteers. To help create this, we ask that you follow these guidelines:

Safe Interaction with Students

All volunteers should work under supervised conditions. This means:

  • There should be another volunteer, district employee, or parent in the area where you are working with student(s). If you are going to work one-on-one or in small groups away from the classroom, leave the door to the room open or stay in an open area. Make sure you are in plain sight.
  • To protect your privacy, and that of students, do not ask for a student's address, phone number or to take their picture. Also, do not share your address or phone number with a student without discussing it with your classroom teacher or the principal.
  • Use adult/staff restrooms only. Do not accompany a student into the restroom.
  • All that you learn from staff about your student or from interacting with your student is confidential. Please remember this when discussing your volunteer work outside of the school.

Safe Verbal Communication

  • Let your conversation demonstrate respect for others and yourself. Avoid language that may be perceived as discriminatory, sexist or offensive. Remember that you are a role model for the students.
  • Treat all students in the same manner.
  • If a student shares any information with you that causes you concern for their safety or health, TELL THE TEACHER OR PRINCIPAL. They will follow up on the information appropriately. Please keep the content of the information and action you took strictly confidential.

Safe Touch Areas

  • Handshakes and high fives are considered appropriate friendly touches.
  • If a student wants to hug you, show them how to "hug from the side"; bending down so that your shoulders are level with the student's. Let the student initiate this kind of behavior.
  • Never touch a child in anger. If a student is unruly or disrespectful, return them to the classroom and let the teacher take over from there.

The bottom line is to use your best judgement at all times. Treat the students as you wish to be treated--with dignity, care and respect.