VOLUNTEERING AT

Algonquin Ridge Elementary School

WHERE CHARACTER COUNTS!

Welcome to our Volunteer Orientation!

RESPECT, INTEGRITY, CARING, HONESTY, EMPATHY, RESPONSIBILITY, COURAGE, INCLUSIVENESS,

COOPERATION, OPTIMISM

A school volunteer is a responsible individual who is willing to give TIME and TALENT to assist as

a valuable member of the school team.

WHAT IS A VOLUNTEER?

new skills about students about your community to enrich the curriculum to reinforce skills taught in school to improve academic achievement to increase a student’s motivation to

learn

VOLUNTEERING IS LEARNING

Remember that learning is a lifelong endeavor. Making mistakes is an

important part of learning. Do not be afraid of making mistakes or

asking for staff assistance when you need it.

LEARNING TOGETHER CAN BE FUN!!!

Volunteering is learning

Parents Business and professional people Retirees College students High school students

All have a talent to share. Your work or hobby can add an exciting learning

experience for students.

WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?

would be friendly, dependable, reliable and flexible shows concern for students wants to help and would like working cooperatively

with school staff has a good professional attitude, interest and

enthusiasm for working with young people provides a positive role model for young learners recognizes that students are our greatest resource is willing to share skills and knowledge maintains confidentiality at all times

THE IDEAL VOLUNTEER

Volunteers must respect the confidentiality of the relationship to the school, being careful to ensure that a student’s work

and behaviour in school be held in confidence.

CODE OF ETHICS

Enrich students’ learning opportunities by assisting teachers and support staff in instructional and non-instructional tasks.

Provide individualized opportunities for students, assisting each student to reach his or her fullest potential.

Enrich the curriculum by enhancing students’ knowledge of the community at large.

To assist students with curriculum related activities especially in the areas of literacy and numeracy!

GOALS OF THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

…to participate in a screening process …to know as much about the school as

possible…its people…and its programs …to receive thoughtfully planned and

effectively presented training for the job …to receive support and direction from

staff who are experienced, well-informed, patient and thoughtful

WHAT CAN VOLUNTEERS EXPECT?

Volunteers: are responsible to the principal, but work directly with

the professional teaching staff. are prompt, dependable and regular in attendance. work cooperatively as part of the team to support and

supplement the program. understand and accept the students in terms of their

own background and values. maintain confidentiality about the students, teacher and

others. communicate regularly with staff. are asked to notify the teacher if a problem arises.

Staff will follow up. know and observe all pertinent regulations in the Board

and at the school. Be clear about procedures related to fire drills, accident reporting, lunch and recess breaks and the use of halls, etc. (see Emergency Procedures handout)

RESPONSIBILITIES

The screening process is: Have a criminal background check (CBC) with

vulnerable sector screening completed within the past 6 months specifically to Algonquin Ridge submitted to and approved by the SCDSB

Once the CBC is approved by the SCDSB a volunteer is required to sign an offense declaration annually.

If you do not currently have a CBC completed, please take one of our notices to the Records Clerk at the Police Station.

IN ORDER TO VOLUNTEER…

All volunteers are to sign in/out outside the front office and pick up a volunteer badge in the office.

Volunteer times are to be pre-arranged if working in a classroom with the teacher.

It is preferable for parent volunteers to work in a different classroom from their own child(ren).

It is up to each individual teacher to determine if there is a requirement for volunteer support in their classroom.

Algonquin Ridge POLICIES

Volunteers are to be directly in the area of the classroom in which they are volunteering. Please do not take time out of the class to visit your child(ren). Please follow the protocol expected of all parents.

Removal of your child from the class setting should be done using the same protocol as if you were not volunteering. Please see Mrs. Korpela or Mrs. Westbrook in the office and she will contact your child(ren) to come down and meet you and then proceed to sign your child out.

More Volunteer Policies

Pre-school or “off-day” kindergarten students are not to accompany parent volunteers to classes.

Please contact the school if you cannot make a scheduled responsibility.

Lastly….

Main priority: LITERACY AND NUMERACY! Read with students Work in the library Work with students on computer programs Help with arts and crafts Assist with Special Projects:

-milk program-track and field

Fundraising Family Fun Nights Gardening Committee

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

It is up to you:a few hours a month

or each day.

The hours are flexible. You can arrange mutually convenient times with your

team members, or classroom teacher, when you can give your full attention

to your position.

WHEN DOES A VOLUNTEER WORK?

Optimism in your approach and attitude

Cooperation when working with students and staff

Inclusiveness avoid comparison between students

Empathy adapt to special circumstances

Caring with a smile and a thank you

Integrity apply the same rules every day

Respect treat individuals with respect and courtesy

Responsibility attempt to meet your commitments regularly

REMEMBER The Character Traits …

Complete the Volunteer Information Form

Sign it and return it to the office As soon as possible.

Await contact from our School Volunteer Co-ordinator.

Watch for regular updates regarding volunteering on the school website.

WHAT’S NEXT?

THANK YOU!

On behalf of the students and

staff, thank you for attending.

We look forward to working with

you!