Volunteer Guidelines

Volunteers must adhere to the following:

• Sign-in at the front office and through the volunteer tracking system (also known as Raptor).
• Wear identification badge provided by the school staff at all times while on campus.
• Understand that instruction, supervision, grading, and disciplining students are school staff responsibilities.
• Work in collaboration with school staff and Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS) Campus Coordinator to plan and participate in volunteer activities. 
• Communicate with school staff to understand clear expectations, task assignments and feedback on volunteer activity.

Note: For safety, children are not allowed on the campus unless there is a designated Parent Center. Please check with the VIPS Campus Coordinator to ask if this provision for children is available.

Volunteer Procedures

In an effort to ensure that we have a productive partnership, it is vital for all volunteers to be aware of FBISD Policy GKG Local.

No person shall be allowed to perform any volunteer work on District premises without prior approval of the principal. As a result, volunteers should always work within the rules of the school as set by the principal or District Administrator. The campus Principal will make the final decision on all volunteer activities at a campus.

Note: In supporting the best interests of our students and the District, a Principal (with Assistant Superintendent and approval) has the authority to remove a volunteer from their position, if the partnership has proven to be unsuitable.

Volunteer Code of Ethics

• Dependability: A volunteer shall be responsible for his/her scheduled times and must notify the Volunteer in Public Schools (VIPS) Campus Coordinator and/or school staff immediately if not able to meet this commitment.
• Respect for Authority: A volunteer shall respect the authority of the school staff and the school administration.
• Confidentiality: A volunteer shall not discuss school matters or information concerning students outside the classroom with anyone but the designated school staff. If you need help with a student, discuss the matter professionally with the teacher, counselor, assistant principal or principal.
• Impartiality: A volunteer shall favor no one side or party more than another in all school situations.
• Objectivity: A volunteer shall not let his/her personal feelings enter into his/her work as a volunteer.
• Appearance: A volunteer shall dress appropriately, always remembering that he/she is setting an example for the students.

The 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.

Meeting with Students

• All meetings and/or activities with students must take place on the school campus, or as part of a school-sponsored field trip.
• 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.
• Off campus contact is strictly prohibited unless under the direct supervision of school officials.

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

• Physical contact should be limited to holding a hand or giving a soft pat on the back.
• 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.

Although the student is free to share confidential information with you, there are certain things that you are required by law to tell a campus administrator:

• 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.
• Document the information that 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 campus administrator.