LCPA Volunteer Guidelines
2007-2008

Dear Volunteer,

Thank you for volunteering at Longmont Christian School. Your help is needed and valued. Here are some policy guidelines to help you as you get acquainted with school procedures. If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please bring them to the teacher or staff person with whom you are working.

  1. Dress Code: Please remember to be modest and to always present a good example to the students and others in appearance, conduct, and conversation. No cleavage, short shorts, bare waists, or short skirts, please.

  1. Children: Please do not bring younger siblings to school with you when you volunteer. This will allow you to focus on your volunteer duties and give special attention to your child that is in school. Also, for liability reasons, the school simply cannot permit the younger siblings to be here.

  1. Parking: Due to limited space in the staff parking lot, please park on the street or in one of the city lots. Remember that much of it is limited to 2-hour parking, so remember to move your car if you’ll be here longer than that. Please never park in the alley or in any of the nearby private parking lots. We want to be a good neighbor to surrounding agencies, businesses, and residences.

  1. Sign In, Rest Rooms & Refreshments: Please sign in and out in the office and wear a volunteer badge each time you come to volunteer. Remember to return your badge when you sign out. If you have valuables, please lock them in your car, or if necessary, ask about keeping them in the office while you are here. Rest rooms are located across the hall from the front reception desk and directly above and below them on the upper and lower levels. There are vending machines in the school basement, and you may purchase lunch items from the downstairs lunch counter. It is operated by volunteers and is open from 11:15-12:30.

  1. Work Areas: Thank you very much for your help in keeping as much traffic and conversation as possible out of the office area. A work area is provided for volunteers in the main floor lunchroom. Please do photocopying jobs in the Resource Room (north end of top floor, west side). The duplicator copier is located in the closet across from the reception desk and should be used when you have sets of 20 or more copies to make. Office copier is for office personnel and teachers only. Please do all projects at the volunteer table or another area as requested/suggested by the teacher rather than in the school office or at the office counter. Volunteers are not permitted to go behind the office counter. Instead, please ask office personnel to assist you.

  1. Confidentiality: Please remember to keep confidential all personal information about students, families, and faculty that you may learn while doing volunteer duties.

  1. School Rules: Please be familiar with the guidelines for conduct in the LCS Student Handbook so you know what is expected of students. You may remind them of these rules when needed. If a student does not respond promptly and appropriately please report the situation to his/her teacher. Please set an example of respect and consideration by following conduct guidelines yourself, including Quiet Zone guidelines, talking quietly so as not to disturb nearby classrooms, and observing the “No Talking” times when they are requested by Lunch Aides during student lunch times. Thanks so much.

  1. Supplies: Work supplies (staplers, scissors, pens, markers, tape, etc.) are kept in the desk and laminator cabinet of the work area. Please restock reasonable amounts as needed by requesting supplies from office staff. We are asking all staff and volunteers who restock supplies to keep records of items and quantities taken. Please ask office personnel for help when you need supplies or for special supply needs. They want to help you.

  1. Laminating: To conserve laminating film and wear and tear on the machine, all laminating will be done in large runs at designated times once or twice a week as needed and by trained, designated volunteers. Please remind teachers of this if requested to do laminating so they can add their job to the office folder/box where projects are collected.

  1. Transporting Students: There are times when students will need transportation for outings. If you are able to volunteer to drive your vehicle, please notify your child’s teacher and be sure that each passenger will have his/her own seat belt.

  1. Absences: As a courtesy to others, please call the school if you cannot come in as scheduled. We will notify the teacher or staff person who was expecting you.

  1. Protection Policies: LCS has a responsibility to provide a safe and secure environment for each student while at school. School personnel are required by law to report child abuse or suspicion of abuse. The following guidelines are intended to reduce risks for the students, employees, and volunteers at LCS:

  • Employees and volunteers will not be alone with a student in any setting where another adult cannot observe them. This includes transporting students. Exceptions may be made only with the permission of the student’s parent.

  • Employees and volunteers will follow a “hands off” policy with students if ever in a confrontational situation to avoid the perception of physical abuse. Exceptions are allowed if the student must be restrained from harming self or others. Please notify staff immediately of any such incidents so documentation can be made for student records.

  • All physical contact with students must be kept appropriate and professional at all times.

  • Windows are required on all classroom and office doors. These must be kept unobstructed.

  • Any “one to one” help given to a student must be carried out in an area that can be easily observed by the teacher or other adults. Arrange seating so that the student and the helper are seated appropriately at a table or desk.

  • All employees and volunteers are required to discuss any observed suspicious behaviors or inappropriate situations, or cases of suspected abuse immediately with the principal.

  • All employees and volunteer are to work together to remind each other of the importance of policy guidelines. Don’t be reluctant to comment to others if their conduct could be viewed as inappropriate or place them in a situation where an accusation could be made.

May God bless you richly as you give in service and love. All of us appreciate you!