Heard CountySchool System Volunteer Guidelines

Thank you for being a volunteer in the Heard County School System. By choosing to volunteer you are demonstrating your commitment to education as well as making a positive impact in our schools. The following are guidelines that should be adhered to when volunteering at a school:

  • Volunteers must sign in and out each time they visit a school
  • Volunteers should wear a nametag at all times while on the school grounds
  • Volunteers must appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired
  • Volunteers will work within the rules of the school, as determined by the principal
  • Volunteers will treat all students equally regardless of gender, race, religion, or culture and refrain from any comments that can be construed as racist, sexist, or bigoted
  • Volunteers must refrain from promoting religious doctrines or beliefs, political candidates or parties, or commercial products.
  • Disciplinary issues should be referred to the student’s teacher
  • Volunteers may not be in the possession of or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances
  • Smoking or the use of tobacco products is not permitted on school grounds or supervised trips
  • Volunteers will protect students from harm or abuse while in their care
  • As a school volunteer, you are a mandated reporter of suspected child neglect or abuse. Should a student disclose to a volunteer instances of abuse or an intent to harm self, the volunteer must report that to the school guidance counselor or principal immediately

Volunteer Background Checks

Criminal background checks are required for volunteers who may have unsupervised contact with students. The conviction of a crime will not automatically disqualify a person from volunteering in a school. Each situation will be considered individually. Completed forms are maintained in a confidential manner at the district office.

The District requires criminal background checks on any volunteers who meet the following criteria:

  • The volunteer will have unsupervised contact with students
  • The volunteer will be off campus with students in an unsupervised situation, including driving students on field trips
  • The volunteer is a mentor to a student or students
  • The volunteer is a coach or activity director; or
  • The volunteer is unknown to the school staff

Confidentiality

As you work with our students and staff please remember that the abilities, problems, relationships, and confidences of students, their parents, and staff must never be discussed with anyone other than a professional staff member of the school. If you have concerns please discuss them with an administrator. Educators are held to an unwavering Code of Ethics that applies to all substitutes and volunteers. Should confidentiality be breached, we must ask that the person not return to the school as a volunteer.

I have read and will adhere to the Heard County School System Volunteer Guidelines, and understand a breach in confidentiality will result in my not returning to the school system as a volunteer. I also understand that if I am to be in unsupervised and in direct contact with students, I must submit to and pass a Criminal Background Check.

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Signature of volunteerDate