Parent Volunteer Information

Benefits of Parent Volunteers

Parent volunteers offer a huge resource and support base for the school community while showing their kids the importance of participating in the larger community. Not only will the school reap the benefits of your involvement — you will, too. By interacting with teachers, administrators, and other parents on a regular basis, you'll gain a firsthand understanding of your child's daily activities. You'll also tap into trends and fads of school life that can help you communicate with your kids as they grow and change.

Many schools now have to raise their own funds for activities and supplies that once were considered basic necessities, and parent volunteers are essential to organizing and chaperoning these fundraising events and other school activities.

Ways You Can Help

  • help with classroom parties and snacks
  • act as a classroom helper (making copies, tearing workbook pages, etc.)
  • mentor or tutor students
  • help children with special needs
  • volunteer in the school computer lab or library
  • help organize, donate items, or work at fundraising activities
  • help chaperone field trips

School and Classroom Parent Volunteer Policies    -    Baldwin County Public School Policies

  • Parents must go by the office, sign-in,  and get a visitors badge when on campus.  You will need to sign-out upon leaving.  You are considered a visitor.  This system-wide policy is for any school campus.  This is in place for the safety of our children.  We need to know who is on the campus at all times.
  • Familiarize yourself with the rules and routines of the school and classroom. Please ask questions if unsure about a direction or routine.
  • Respect the teaching learning process by not using your volunteer time for an informal parent-teacher conference.
  • When volunteering in classrooms or on field trips make other arrangements for siblings.
  • Be open and honest in your communication to the teacher. If you feel a problem exists, help to identify the problem and communicate your concern directly to the teacher.
  • As a volunteer you are not expected to be responsible for the actions of the children or for administering discipline. If a student is disruptive seek assistance from the teacher.
  • Confidentiality
    • In the course of your volunteer work at our school, you may learn confidential information about students, parents or teachers. You are expected to keep this information confidential in any setting inside or outside the school, just as you would wish your own privacy rights to be respected.
    • There are times when student confidences can not be kept. If a student talks about abuse or improper treatment to a volunteer, that information must be reported to the teacher.

Parent Chaperone Policies

   

When you volunteer to serve as a chaperone on your child's field trip, you will be helping to extend the regular curriculum beyond the classroom and the school.

Your role as a chaperone is an important one, and while enjoyable, requires that you accept certain responsibilities.

The purpose of the Chaperone Guidelines is to provide you with an overview of a chaperone's responsibilities, and to make recommendations for appropriate responses to various situations that may arise during the course of a field trip.

Should you require any additional information, or have any other questions or concerns, you are invited to meet with your child's teacher or principal to discuss the matter.


General Qualifications

  • A chaperone must be a parent/ guardian of a child in the class taking the field trip.
  • A chaperone must be willing and physically able to participate in all activities.

Chaperone Alert!!!   Be sure to.....

  • arrive on time and bring a watch.

It is important that chaperone's be on time since trips are planned to depart and return to school at specified times. Performances, tours, or activities during the trip are scheduled and delays may disrupt the field trip for everyone.

  • dress appropriately.

Casual, comfortable dress is recommended. Listen to the weather report and anticipate weather changes. When is doubt bring rain gear or dress in layers.

  • know the children in their group.

Introduce yourself and be sure that you know the names of the children in your group. Name tags or a list of students' names will be supplied by the teacher. If a child refuses to follow your instructions, inform a teacher as soon as possible.

  • talk to the teacher.

Don't hesitate to ask questions if you have doubts as to what should be done in a given situation. The teacher is in charge, and her/his directions must be followed at all times. Please speak to the teacher privately if you have any concerns.

  • watch carefully.

Always think of the children's safety first. Be alert to potential dangers- stray animals, strangers, etc. Do not take chances. If necessary, move children to a safe place and inform the teacher.

  • follow all safety rules.

Children are required to wear seat belts when being transported by bus.

Remember-

  • Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages during the field trip.
  • Do not bring along siblings or other children.

Your responsibility is to the children in your group. Insurance regulations do not permit parent chaperones to bring other family members on school field trips.

  • Do not leave children alone or unescorted.

It is your responsibility to keep the group together and when necessary, escort children to the lavatory.

  • Do not purchase souvenirs or food without prior permission of the teacher.
  • Do not physically restrain a child.

Unless a child poses an imminent threat to the safety of him/herself or others, chaperones should never physically handle a youngster. Should a child refuse to follow your directions, inform the teacher immediately.

  • Do not release students to anyone other than the teacher.

Parents/guardians who want to take children home during a field trip must secure permission from the teacher.

  • Do not administer ANY medications to a youngster.

All medical situations must be referred to the classroom teacher.


IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

  • The supervising teacher, or a designed volunteer, will be responsible for the first aid kit.
  • Use latex gloves (in the first aid kit) when handling all bodily fluid, including blood  products.
  • Report all illnesses and injuries to the teacher.