NORTHSHORE SCHOOL DISTRICT

CASCADIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AmeriCorps Retention Project Volunteer Handbook

ATTITUDE

  • Be enthusiastic. Your enthusiasm can go a long way toward overcoming obstaclesand solving problems.
  • Take the initiative. This means going the extra distance to finish a job or assistsomeone who needs your help.
  • Have a sense of humor. A good sense of humor can light up a life and makeeveryone’s job seem easier.
  • Be sincere. Say what you mean and mean what you say.
  • Take pride in your work. No matter what your job, you should take pride in the factthat you’re doing your best to help others.
  • Respect others. Recognize and appreciate the skills and qualities of the peoplearound you. Respect the teacher’s role.
  • Learn from others. Be open to new ideas and suggestions. Be flexible enough torespond to changes in systems, policies, and programs.
  • Cooperate with others. A spirit of teamwork is essential to getting things done.
  • Enjoy the students. Have a positive attitude and patience with students.

COMMUNICATION

  • Ask for clarification on any questions you have about your responsibilities, specialneeds of students you are working with, time lines, and school safety procedures.
  • Be mindful not to under-mind a school staff or another volunteer. Youth may complain about a staff member or make negative comments. Remain neutral, helpful and caring. “Seems like you are upset about this situation, tell me what you may do to improve this situation.”
  • Share phone numbers and e-mail addresses with teachers and other volunteers. Do not share personal contact information with the youth.
  • Avoid interrupting teachers while they are teaching. Questions and concerns can be addressed following instruction time.

SCHEDULE

  • Be prompt and reliable. Call, text or email the AmeriCorps Specialist and site supervisor if you are coming in late or will be absent. Or, contact the school directly to leave a message for the teacher.
  • Maintain your regular schedule each week.
  • Sign in each time on campus and wear your volunteerI.D. badge.
  • Do what you agree to do – always follow through and be honest if you cannot.

DRESS CODE

  • Attire should be neat, clean, comfortable, and appropriate for the school setting (no low necklines, form fitting clothing, yoga pants, and pants must be worn at or above the hip, for example.)
  • Undergarments must be covered and not showing through the clothing.
  • Shorts or skirts are to be long enough to cover the thighs or about 2 inches above the knee.
  • Clothing with references to sex, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, vulgar language or discrimination is inappropriate at school, at school functions or events with youth.

BOUNDARIES

The Northshore School District is committed to providing all employees, students, volunteers

and community members with information to increase their awareness of their role in protecting

children from inappropriate conduct by adults. See Board Policy 5253 P within this packet and unacceptable Conduct of conduct apply to volunteers and adults working with youth at school.

  • Junior high students often ask personal questions and it is best to be prepared to answer them ina polite way. Questions about religion and politics and your personal beliefs will be asked, so be prepared. You may respond politely like this:

“That question may be better answered by your parents” or

“This conversation is one I do not feel comfortable having with you at school because I am here to work on______with you.”

“Seems like you want to talk with someone about religion/politics, do you have someone athome or friends to discuss this with after school?”

  • Have a clear idea of what your personal boundaries are regarding how you would likethe students to refer to you (first name, Mr., Mrs., Ms.) and your willingness to discussaspects of your personal life.
  • At school, keep conversations related to the topic of the group or study.
  • Do not give a student your personal contact information, including on-line networks. Consider changing your on-line social network privacy settings to avoid youth accessing your personal information.
  • Sometimes students share personal information about substance use, sex, abuse or self-harming behaviors. Let students know you care about their well-being and will take steps to keep them safe, which may include talking with a school staff member or parents. Report concerns or conversations to school staff.
  • You are a role-model and an adult, not a peer.

SUPPLIES

  • Always bring a notebook, the mentoring or tutoring resources, paper, and a pen/pencil.
  • Wear your volunteer ID badge
  • Ask an AmeriCorps Specialists where you can store your extra things – backpack, purse, etc.

CAMPUS PROTOCOL

  • All volunteers and campus visitors need to sign in at the office and wear an ID badge.
  • The use of drugs, alcohol, or tobacco is prohibited on school property.
  • No weapons, including knives, are allowed on school property.
  • Know the school plans for emergency procedures: duck, cover, & hold; fire drills; andlockdown situations.
  • Do not advise on personal religious or political beliefs (see Boundaries section).
  • Report any suspicion that a child may be the victim of abuse or self-harm immediately to the
  • building principal, school counselor, or another school district employee.
  • Always report concerns to school staff member.
  • Ask permission to volunteer during times or in activities outside your expected schedule.
  • A student always needs parent permission by note or communicated plan to the office of an early dismissal. If unsure student has permission, ask a school staff member to confirm.

DISCIPLINE ISSUES

Most schools have a discipline plan with clear-cut consequences for negative behavior and rewards for positive behavior. Many teachers add to the school-wide guidelines by making a more specific behavior plan for their classroom. Be familiar with school and classroom discipline plans and what role you will play in the plan.

CONFIDENTIALITY

  • All information concerning students and teachers is strictly confidential and should notbe shared with others. Keep ALL student information confidential.
  • Share concerns with school and program staff only.
  • Federal law prohibits school districts from releasing student informationwithout parent/guardian permission. This includes all academic, medical,and personal information. Disclosing this information is a violation of theFamily Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

Positive Ways to Communicate with Youth

Use the following suggestions to guide you in using positive and encouraging ways to talk with students.

Get a youth’s attention before speaking to him/her.

Remember to think before you speak. (Is what I say positive, supportive? Helpful?)

Try not to interrupt students when they are telling you their stories or answering your question.

Be aware of communication through expressions, body language, actions, silence, as well as with words.

  • Words of Encouragement…

“I can tell you worked very hard on that.”

“You’re getting much better at that.”

“I appreciate what you did.”

“You really handled that situation well.”

“Tell me how you got the answer”

  • Use Door Openers and Listen

Invite students to say more and share feelings. Let students know that you accept and respect what they say. “I see.”, “Tell me more.”, “How about that.”

Guidelines for Safe Interaction with Students

Working with students on a one-to-one academic basis can be rewarding. However, expectations of society have changed. Professional/personal relationships have been redefined. The protection of persons less than 18 years of age from abuse and sexual harassment is a critical aspect of court action and case law today.

Specific language that will protect individuals is difficult to convey because the subject matter has many gray areas. For that reason, these guidelines for Northshore School District volunteers may err on the side of caution. If you have further questions or concerns, please discuss them with the building principal or office manager.

Playing it Safe

WAC 181-87-040 defines a student as:

  • Any student who is under the supervision, direction, or control of the educational employee.
  • Any student enrolled in any school or school district served by the employee.
  • Any student enrolled in any school or school district while attending a school-related activity at which the employee is performing professional duties.
  • Any former student under 18 years of age who has been under the supervision, direction, or control of the educational employee.

Touching children carries a risk. A volunteer can be accused of impropriety, unnecessary physical contact, or even sexual harassment. Being alone with a student can prompt an allegation of intimacy if care is not taken. A finding of sexual harassment is just cause for disciplinary action in this school district. Other consequences may include legal action and loss of volunteer privileges.

Exercising Good Judgment

A school volunteer must exercise conscious judgment in determining whether or not to touch students and under what conditions. It is important to consider several factors:

Cultural and Personal Factors

  • Since most accusations are leveled against males, males should review their behavior very carefully so it cannot be misinterpreted.
  • Some individuals and some cultures are very uncomfortable with any sort of touching. If a student indicates by word or action that he/she is uncomfortable, the volunteer should avoid physical contact with that student except for safety reasons.

Age of the Student

  • Grades K-3 It is virtually impossible to avoid physical contact with or touching students of this age in a classroom. However, as students grow older, the acceptability of touching and hugging decreases.
  • Grades 4-9 Female students in this age group are very conscious of their sexuality. The most numerous accusations of improper touching occur during this period. Female students may view a touch on the shoulder or back as sexual in nature. They are extremely sensitive regarding remarks about their clothing and physical appearance. Trouble areas include patting knees, putting arms around shoulders, putting hands on waist, or “looking at me funny.” Girls often complain of being touched on their backs over their bras.
  • Grades 10-12 Very little touching is acceptable with this group. Avoid attempting to counsel troubled students in this age group, especially about sexual or romantic matters.

Some Areas of Caution

Some actions, even if not tainted with improper motive, are common trouble areas. Avoid these situations when possible:

  • Asking a single student to come early to set up for a class or gym activity.
  • Driving only one student in your car for school-related activities.
  • Giving a gift at school to a student, especially an expensive or personal gift.
  • Writing personal cards, notes, or letters to students. Be particularly careful of yearbook inscriptions and sign your full name, not a nickname or first name.
  • Participating in social activities with students, such as inviting to your home or taking one or two students to a movie.
  • Using a personal account to originate email online chat or text message to students. This can be of particular concern if the topic is not specifically connected to instruction.

Other actions are very difficult to explain and could be grounds for discipline:

  • Making any request for affection, such as “give me a hug” or “come sit on my lap.”
  • Any touching except on the shoulders, back, and arms. Even this is dangerous with girls in grades 4-9. Avoid lingering touches such as shoulder massages.
  • Requests for sex or for dates.
  • Lewd or sexual remarks, jokes, or other sexual overtures. This means remarks like: “You have great legs.” Comments on appearance or dress are in a gray area; “That sweater was made for you.” or “You’re a pretty girl.”
  • Touching girls differently than boys; e.g., hugging girls but not boys. This may not be sexual behavior, but it’s seen as sexist behavior and may be grounds for discipline.
  • Sexual contact with any student.

Safe Verbal Communications:

  • Avoid: sexual comments, sexist remarks, and innuendo and double meanings.
  • Talk to all students in the same manner.

Safe Interaction with Students:

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  • Avoid being alone with students.
  • If alone with a student, be visible and in an open location.
  • Treat all students in the same manner.
  • It’s better not to single out a student through favoritism, gifts or special privileges.
  • Do not spend too much time with one student or group of students.
  • Maintain appropriate boundaries between volunteer and student.
  • If you sense that a student may be developing a personal interest in you, see the principal immediately

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If you suspect that a child may be the victim of abuse, report it immediately to the principal, school counselor, or another school district employee.

For more information: NSD Human Resources Department, 425-408-7601

Sexual Harassment – What it is and how to stop it

Northshore School District is committed to a positive and productive education and working environment free from discrimination, including sexual harassment.

Northshore School District Policy #8700 prohibits sexual harassment or intimidation of district employees, students and others involved in school district activities; whether the harassment or intimidation is committed by a co-worker, supervisor, subordinate, contractor, parent, vendor, volunteer, or student.Volunteers who engage in sexual harassment on school property or at school activities will have access to school property and activities restricted as appropriate.

Legal Requirements

Educational institutions are responsible to ensure that acts of sexual harassment against students and employees do not occur. Under Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is illegal and a form of sexual discrimination.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual harassment includes all unwanted sexual attention, as well as the creation of an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or school environment. Harassing behaviors between members of the same or opposite sex, staff and students, students and staff, and staff and other staff are not tolerated.

Harassment may be defined as remarks or behaviors that are unwelcome, uninvited or unacceptable to another. The harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, visual, or physical in nature. (Note: The word “unwelcome” places responsibility on the victim to tell the offending party that the behavior is unwanted.)

Sexual harassment may include, but is not limited to:

demanding sexual favors in exchange for preferential treatment or something of value;

stating or implying that a person will lose something if he or she does not submit to a sexual request;

penalizing a person for refusing to submit to a sexual advance, or providing a benefit to someone who does;

making unwelcome, offensive, or inappropriate sexually suggestive comments, gestures or jokes, or remarks of a sexual nature about a person’s appearance, gender, or conduct;

using derogatory sexual terms for a person;

touching a person inappropriately, cornering or stalking a person, or standing too close; or

displaying offensive or inappropriate sexual content on school property or via electronic communications such as e-mail.

Sexual Harassment occurs when:

Submitting to the harasser’s sexual demands is a stated or implied condition of obtaining an education or work opportunity or other benefit.

Submission to, or rejection of, sexual demands is a factor in an academic, work, or school-related decision affecting an individual.

Unwelcome sexual or gender-directed conduct or communication interferes with an individual’s performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

What you can do about it:

As a victim, act promptly to stop sexual harassment.

As an observer, be willing to assist/discuss situations/issues related to sexual harassment.

As a volunteer, become aware of behaviors that could be defined as sexual harassment.

How do I proceed?

There are three ways to proceed if you have a complaint or know someone who is a victim. We encourage you to contact the Human Resources Office for assistance.

1. Informal Complaint Procedure

Informal reports may be made to any staff member, although the staff member should confer with a supervisor or the compliance officer. Complainants shall be informed of their right to, and the process for, filing a formal complaint. Informal remedies may include:

  • An opportunity for the complainant to explain to the alleged harasser, either in writing or face-to-face, that his/her conduct is unwelcome, offensive, or inappropriate.
  • A statement from a staff member to the alleged harasser that the alleged conduct is not appropriate and could lead to discipline if proven or repeated.
  • A general public statement from a building administrator or appropriate adult in which the district sexual harassment policy is reviewed without identifying the complainant.

2. Formal Complaint Process

Formal complaints may grow out of an informal complaint at the request of the complainant, parent, guardian, or because the district believes the complaint needs to be more thoroughly investigated. According to the due process requirements, the district will not be able to hold the complainant’s identity confidential. The district will, however, implement anti-retaliation provisions of the policy to protect complainants and witnesses. The following process shall be used for a formal complaint:

  • The compliance officer or designee shall receive and investigate all formal, written complaints of sexual harassment, or information in the compliance officer’s possession that the officer believes requires further investigation.
  • All formal complaints shall be in writing, signed by the complainant, and set forth the specific acts, conditions, or circumstances alleged to have occurred that constitute sexual harassment. The compliance officer may draft the complaint, based on the report of the complainant, for the complainant to review and sign.

3. Legal Proceedings

4. Contact Northshore’s Compliance Officer at 425-408-7606

Boundary Invasion - Maintaining Professional and Appropriate Boundaries

NSD Board Administrative Procedure 5253 P

School employees (and volunteers) are required to maintain boundaries in their relationships with students that are consistent with legal and ethical standards of care.