FBISD VIPS Program

Become a school volunteer by contacting the VIPS Campus Coordinator at your child’s campus or by calling the Community Partnerships office at 281-634-1109. Each Fort Bend ISD school has a Campus VIPS Coordinator. The campus VIPS Coordinators are an essential link between their school and the community it serves, and between the school’s volunteer program and the district’s Community Partnerships office.

Volunteer Guidelines

• Complete a background check form. These forms can be obtained either through the VIPS Campus Coordinators, by downloading one from the website,
  www.fortbendisd.com/comrel/pie/chc.cfm, or by contacting the Community Partnerships office, 281-634-1109.
• Attend an orientation meeting conducted by your VIPS Campus Coordinator. You will be given a school tour and informed of basic school procedures (i.e. signing in, schedules, fire drills, parking and emergency procedures).
• Sign in each time you volunteer on campus. Either a computerized check-in system or VIPS signin sheets are provided at each campus. School personnel must know who is in the building.
• If a sign-in book is available, record your hours each time you volunteer.
• Wear an identification badge, which is provided by the school.
• Use common sense in your dress. Be neat, not dressy. Keep in mind that you are a role model for students.
• Consider things heard or seen at school as confidential.
  Do not publicly criticize school personnel or guidelines. If a problem arises, consult with your volunteer coordinator or the campus principal.
• Do not discuss your students or their problems publicly. If you need help with a student, discuss the matter professionally with the teacher, counselor, assistant principal or principal.
• If you are a mentor, maintain consistent and regular attendance. A minimum of 30 minutes per week is generally given. The Community Partnerships office stresses dependability; this is the most important factor in your relationship with students and campus staff.
• Notify the VIPS Campus Coordinator and your teacher or staff person immediately if you must be absent when you are expected to volunteer.
• Do not bring your children to school unless there is a Parent Center at your campus that can accommodate your children. It is for their safety and well-being that we ask this. Check with your VIPS Campus Coordinator to ask if this provision for children is available.

Guidelines for Working With Students - In order to participate in FBISD volunteer programs, you must adhere to these procedures at all times.

• Meeting with Students

  1. All meetings and/or activities with students must take place on the school campus, or as part of a school-sponsored field trip.
  2. All activities with a student or students must take place in a room with an open door or on the school grounds in sight of school staff representatives.
  3. Off campus contact is strictly prohibited unless under the direct supervision of school officials.
  4. Never give a student your home phone number, address, or email address.

• Transportation - Transporting a student in your personal car is prohibited. Students must be transported in a school district vehicle (field trips), in a school official’s vehicle or in a parent or legal guardian’s vehicle. Do not put yourself in the position of being alone with any student in any vehicle.

• Physical Contact - Many of the children we work with have a strong need and desire for positive physical contact with caring adults. You are encouraged to be a positive role model. However, your physical contact should be limited to holding a hand, giving a soft pat on the back or sharing a hug in full view of other school officials. Remember that what you see as simple, friendly affection between you and the student may be viewed as something entirely different by someone else.

• Confidentiality - All information you are told about a student is confidential and sharing that information with others may be a violation of the law. Do not make a promise to a student that you will keep confidential information secret. Although the student is free to share confidential information with you, there are certain things that you are required by law to tell the principal. There are exceptions to the requirement of confidentiality, and it is critical not only for the welfare of the student, but also to protect you from violating the law.

  These exceptions are: If a student confides that he or she is the victim of sexual, emotional, chemical or physical abuse, or is considering homicide or suicide, or is involved in any illegal activity, you must notify the student’s principal immediately. Make a note on your calendar when this information was reported and to whom it was given. Remember, this information is extremely personal and capable of damaging lives, so do not share it with anyone except the appropriate authorities. If you have questions, please ask a campus administrator.

• Summary - These volunteer guidelines are designed to protect students from harm and to prevent even the appearance of impropriety on the part of the individual mentors, volunteers, students and schools participating in the FBISD VIPS Program.

  Please know that we appreciate your participation in the VIPS Program and that we appreciate your adhering to these guidelines. If you have additional questions, ask your school principal, VIPS Campus Coordinator or call the Community Partnerships office.