CVSD Volunteers

Our schools depend on volunteers, so please make every effort to arrive on time and attend your scheduled volunteer times.

If you cannot attend, please contact the school as soon as possible. This allows the school to make other arrangements.

For student safety, schools need to know who is in the building.

When you volunteer:

• Sign in at the front office when you arrive.
• Sign out when you leave.
• Be prepared to show a photo ID, such as a valid driver's license.
• Wear the volunteer identification sticker or badge provided by the school while you are in the building.

These steps help staff and students easily identify approved volunteers.

Once you have completed the application and screening process, you may contact the school where you would like to volunteer. Let the school know you are interested in helping and ask about volunteer opportunities.

At the beginning of the school year, the screening process may take up to two weeks because of the high number of applications.

Thank you for your patience! If you have questions or concerns, call the Central Valley School District office at 509-558-5400.

The school office staff are your first point of contact. They can help you learn about the school and answer questions about your volunteer assignment.

When you begin volunteering, you may want to ask:

Where can I safely store my personal belongings?

Ask office staff where you can safely store items such as your purse, wallet, or other personal belongings. If you are volunteering in a classroom, ask the teacher where you can keep your things.

Where can I use my cell phone?

Please keep your cell phone with your personal belongings while you volunteer. Cell phones can be distracting to both volunteers and students.

If you need to make or take a call, ask school staff where you may use your phone.

Where can I use the restroom?

Always use a staff restroom. Do not use student restrooms.

Can I bring younger children with me?

No. Younger children cannot come with you to your volunteer assignment. They can be a distraction and may not be allowed in areas where you are volunteering.

Please make other arrangements for their care before you volunteer.

Your safety and the safety of our students are important. Please learn and follow your school's health and safety procedures.

Before You Begin

• Learn how to use equipment. Get proper training before using office equipment, tools, or other school equipment.
• Learn emergency procedures. Ask your teacher or office staff about the emergency procedures for your school and volunteer area. Schools regularly practice emergency procedures, including evacuations and lockdowns.
• Know who can provide first aid. Ask school staff where to find employees who are trained in First Aid and CPR.

Medications, Allergies, and Food

• Never give medication to a student. Volunteers should not give students any type of medication.
• Do not give food to students. Some students have serious food or environmental allergies. If you have questions about a student's needs, talk with the classroom teacher, school nurse, or principal.

Blood and Other Body Fluids

All CVSD schools follow safety procedures for situations involving blood or other body fluids.

If blood or another body fluid gets on your skin:

1. Wash the affected area with soap and running water as soon as possible.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly.
3. Contact the school office or school nurse for help and further instructions.

Protecting student privacy is one of the most important responsibilities of a school volunteer.

While volunteering, you may see, hear, or learn private information about students or their families. This may include personal, academic, or health information.

Student information is confidential. Do not share it with:

• Other volunteers
• Friends, neighbors, or community members
• Other students
• Anyone outside the school who does not have a need to know

This applies to information you hear from a student or staff member, see while volunteering, or receive while helping with schoolwork, grades, or assessments.

When in doubt, do not share the information. Ask a teacher, school administrator, or other appropriate staff member if you have questions.

Our schools include students and families with many different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and identities.

As a volunteer, treat every student with respect, kindness, and fairness. Differences may include:

• Race or ethnicity
• Nationality or culture
• Age
• Gender
• Religion
• Sexual orientation
• Family income or background
• Academic abilities
• Physical, sensory, or other disabilities

Be thoughtful about your words and actions. Do not compare students to one another or make comments about their differences.

Central Valley School District is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment for everyone. Harassment, intimidation, and bullying are not allowed.

These behaviors can be:

• Written, verbal, or physical
• Name-calling, slurs, rumors, jokes, or hurtful comments
• Drawings, gestures, pranks, or other harmful behavior
• Based on a person's race, ethnicity, nationality, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, family background, academic ability, or disability

As a volunteer, be aware of your own words and actions. Treat students, families, and staff with respect.

If You See or Experience Harassment

If you believe you, a student, or a staff member has experienced harassment, intimidation, or bullying, tell a school administrator right away. School staff can help address the situation and make sure the appropriate steps are taken. You may also complete a HIB Reporting Form.

School volunteers have an important role in keeping students safe. Volunteers are expected to maintain appropriate boundaries with students at all times.

Your interactions with students should be professional, respectful, and appropriate for a school setting.

If you have concerns about the conduct of a teacher, staff member, or volunteer toward a student, tell the principal or another school administrator. Central Valley School Board Policy and Procedure 5253 provides more information about appropriate and inappropriate conduct. You can find the policy on the Central Valley School District website or ask for a copy at your school office.

While volunteering, you may become aware of a student who has experienced abuse, neglect, endangerment, or exploitation by an adult or another student.

If you have a concern about a student's safety, tell the teacher, school counselor, or principal right away.

School employees are required by law to report suspected abuse to the proper authorities. They also need to know about dangerous or illegal activities involving students so they can take steps to protect students and the school community.

Do not try to investigate the situation yourself. Share your concern with school staff as soon as possible.

Follow these guidelines whenever you are working with students:

• Dress appropriately. Wear neat clothing that is appropriate for a school setting and allows you to safely perform your volunteer duties.
• Follow school rules. Volunteers must follow all school rules. Smoking and possessing weapons, drugs, or alcohol are prohibited on school grounds.
• Follow classroom expectations. Teachers may have specific systems for discipline and rewards. Follow the teacher's system. If you have concerns, talk with the classroom teacher.
• Keep physical contact appropriate. Limit physical contact to brief, appropriate gestures of support or praise. If contact is needed, limit it to a student's shoulders, upper back, arms, or hands.
• Treat students fairly. Give students the same level of attention and treat all students with respect.
• Use appropriate language. Do not make sexual, sexist, or other inappropriate comments or jokes.
• Avoid being alone with a student. If you need to work one-on-one with a student, do so in a visible, open area where others can see you.
• Follow your volunteer schedule. Complete volunteer activities only during your assigned times.
• Protect personal information. Do not give a student your phone number, home address, or other personal contact information. Do not ask students for this information.
• Do not exchange gifts. Do not give gifts to students or accept gifts from students.
• Do not transport students. Volunteers may not drive or transport students at any time.
• Protect student privacy. Keep all student information confidential.
• Use adult restrooms. Do not use student restrooms.