PUSD SL v. 6

PUSD Service Learning Volunteer Agreement

Have you ever been convicted of any crimes against children? q Yes q No

If you have ever been convicted of crimes against children you will not be able to volunteer with PUSD.

I AGREE TO:

1. Be prompt and dependable. If possible, please call at least one day in advance to let staff know you will not be there at your scheduled time.

2. Sign in and out in the office when you arrival (get a visitor sticker) and depart. Greet teacher(s) to let them know you have arrived.

3. Bring a smile and your willingness to work.

4. Be honest in your approach and attitude.

5. Be patient when working with children. They may be having difficulties of which you are not aware. Your patience will work wonders.

6. Be flexible in responding to the needs of children and staff.

7. Maintain confidentiality related to each child’s work and behavior in school. Discuss student issues with the teacher and counselors, not with other students, volunteers, parents, or in the community.

8. Be a positive role model for children in attitude, behavior, language, and dress. Let your conversations demonstrate respect for others, and avoid language that may be perceived as discriminatory, sexist, or offensive.

9. Notify a staff member if a child confides about an abusive situation. Staff will do the necessary follow-up.

10. Uphold the following dress code expectations: I will dress in a casual, yet professional manner (similar to teachers- no need for ties but please no T-shirts, blue-denim pants, shorts, or low-cut tops). Please do not wear distracting clothing or hairstyles, remove large piercings and try to cover up distracting tattoos as much as possible.

11. Take a servant-leadership, self-directed, “leave a small footprint” approach to your participation. The teachers and staff you are working with are responsible for hundreds of students and all the layers of responsibilities that go with that each day. The best kind of help they need is low-maintenance help that will allow them to maximize their focus on their students. Be willing to set aside your own needs and educational philosophies in order to serve this staff member on their terms, not on your terms (servant-leadership). Your role is not to bring change to the classroom but to bring help in the ways that have been requested and to support the teacher to that end. Help us build a positive relationship with our community by not participating in derogatory conversations about the school or staff. If you have concerns about staff members please make an appointment with the principal.

12. Protect privacy by not asking for a child's address or phone number. Do not share your address or phone number with the children.

13. Do not meet with PUSD students outside the parameters of your volunteer assignment. Do not make arrangements to meet with any PUSD students off campus or outside the parameters of your volunteer assignment without approval by the school’s principal.

14. Always work under the supervision of a PUSD faculty, staff or administrator. Always work with students in public places under the supervision of PUSD faculty, staff or administrators. Do not work alone with a child behind closed doors, or enter student restrooms without another adult (you are welcome to use faculty/staff/campus community restrooms).

15. Follow “safe touch” suggestions. Volunteers do not initiate touching a child (hand-holding, hugs, lap-sitting), but may respond to child’s initiation of appropriate touch.

16. Be respectful of children’s diversity of culture, religion, and background. Practice correct pronunciation of the children’s names if they are unfamiliar. Show interest in the students’ cultures and learn more about those cultures.

17. Do not bring gifts for individual students. Don’t bring gifts or food treats for individual children. With staff approval, volunteers may bring snacks for the entire classroom (for the staff to distribute when appropriate).

18. Apply the following strategies when working with children.

·  Listen to them / ·  Call them by their first names
·  Be interested in what they say / ·  Compliment them
·  Use kind words / ·  Speak in a calm voice
·  Encourage their efforts / ·  Support the teacher’s interventions
·  Show them you like them / ·  Start where they are successful and proceed into what they need to learn
·  Be patient

19. Apply the following tutoring tips.

·  T- Tune in to the details of the assignment.

·  U- Unpack why they are struggling with this assignment.

·  T- Teach with guiding questions not by giving answers.

·  O- Offer new concrete “tests” to see if they understand it.

·  R- Respond with encouraging words.

20. Limit the number of your Service Learning volunteer hours each semester to 30 hours (as per our Service Learning agreement- “practicum” status). If you want to volunteer more than 30 hours each semester contact the YC Service Learning Coordinator () and ask how to become a “PUSD Volunteer” or a “School-Based Mentor” (unlimited hours).

21. Ensure positive closure. If you plan on ending your volunteer involvement before the end of your agreed upon term, please notify the teacher, the school Volunteer Coordinator, and if you are a Yavapai College (YC) Service Learning student, the YC Service Learning Contact person and your instructor. At the time of departure, whether early or on schedule, it is very important that you have a time of closure with the student(s) you have been working with to communicate that you have enjoyed working with them.

22. Do not use your cell phone for calls or messaging unless it is an emergency or a situation of extreme urgency.

Your Name: YC Instructor’s Name:

[please print] [please print]

Signature: Date: