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Volunteer Information

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Click here to view UPDATED Jesse Stuart Volunteer Handbook.

 

Jesse Stuart

Elementary

Volunteer Handbook 

 

2024-2025

We are pleased that you have chosen to be a volunteer at Jesse Stuart Elementary School. The faculty and staff appreciate your willingness to share your time and talent and for  providing us with a much needed “extra pair of hands.” 

 

It is our wish that each of you have a successful, rewarding and enjoyable experience. Should you have a question or concerns, please feel free to contact Mrs. Haw  at 270-825-6033, or by email at jenny.haw@hopkins.kyschools.us. Volunteers are a valuable part of our school and provide important support for our children.

 

In this handbook you will find important information that you will need to be a successful volunteer. 

 

School Wide Expectations

Classroom

We have a set of classroom rules that are used in every classroom. This promotes consistency and students do not have to wonder about what is expected. 

 

Rule #1 – Follow directions quickly. 

Rule #2 – Raise your hand for permission to speak. 

Rule #3 – Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat. 

Rule #4 – Make smart choices. 

Rule #5 – Keep your dear teacher happy. 

 

Hallway

In the hallways students are expected to: 

  • Remain at a zero voice level. 
  • Walk in a straight line on the gray line. 
  • Keep their hands to themselves. 
  • Face forward. 

 

Other common areas: 

The rules for the restrooms, lunchroom and playground are clearly posted in those areas.

 

Fire, Tornado, Earthquake, and Lockdown Safety

If you are volunteering at our school and there is a fire alarm, please follow the procedure of the classroom  you are volunteering in or leave the building through the appropriate exit door with the student you are helping and join his/her classroom outside. 

If a tornado or earthquake drill or warning is issued while you are volunteering, please follow the procedure of the classroom you are volunteering with.  If you are not in a classroom, please find the nearest teacher and follow her/his directions. 

 

In the case of a lockdown drill, you will hear “LOCKDOWN! LOCKDOWN! LOCKDOWN!” over the intercom system. If you are in a classroom, remain there and follow the teacher’s lead. If you are in the hallway, please go to the first open door and join the class, and/or staff there. Do not go into the restrooms unless you are already there. In that case, remain in the adult restroom with the door locked and turn off the light. If you are in the workroom, please follow Mrs. Durbin into the AV room at the back of the workroom.  During lockdowns it is important to remain quiet and do not open any doors. The officers will have a key to unlock doors as necessary. Stay where you are until you are cleared by an officer or you hear all clear over the intercom system. 



 

Volunteer Procedures

Steps to becoming a school volunteer in Hopkins County Schools:                

After contacting your school and receiving permission to volunteer, please complete the following steps.

  1. Complete the CA/N report. CA/N Instructions 
  2. Complete  Authorization and Waiver (AOC) 
  3. Complete the  Confidentiality Statement 
  4. Return a printed or scanned copy of all three documents to the Department of Pupil Personnel at the Central Office.

Anyone who would like to volunteer should first complete the CA/N online; a $10 fee will be charged. Once they receive the completed report, they will bring that along with the completed AOC and the Confidentiality Statement to the Central Office. After the DPP office has the CA/N report, completed AOC report and Confidentiality Statement, the school office will be notified that the volunteer is ready to be in our schools. 

Volunteer information can be found on the Hopkins County School website. 

https://www.hopkins.kyschools.us/Page/16492

 

When you arrive at JSES to volunteer,  please follow these steps.:

  1. Bring your picture ID. We will get to know you well over time, but this is a school policy that all people not employed by Hopkins County Schools will leave their ID at the front desk. 
  2. Present your ID to our school secretary (Miranda or Judy) and sign in on the volunteer sign in form. 
  3. Put on the sticker you will be given and wear it the entire time you are here. 
  4. Please go directly to the location where you are volunteering.

 

While you are here: 

  • Follow the schoolwide expectations outlined earlier
  • If you are copying and need assistance with the copier, please call the office or ask Mrs. Megan Durbin, if she is not with a class. 
  • Please do not interrupt instruction. If you need to talk with the teacher, please wait until she is not providing direct instruction. If you prearrange your visit with the teacher, you will be less likely to face this problem. 

When working with students: 

  • Call students by name at every opportunity. A child loves the sound of his/her own name. If you are unsure of the pronunciation, ask. 
  • Be firm, but accepting and friendly. 
  • Use positive comments that will help the students feel good about themselves. 
  • Always be consistent with the rules of the classroom and school. 
  • Encourage students to do their own thinking. Don’t give them the answers. Help them find the answer. 
  • Reinforce good behavior and effort. If a child is having difficulty behaving, please discuss the situation with the teacher.  
  • If you are with a group of students, please do not leave them unsupervised. 

 

Checking out:

  • Please sign out in the office. Put the time you leave on the volunteer page. 
  • Return the volunteer badge and pick up your ID. 
  • After you have done this, do not go back into the classroom areas. 

 

Confidentiality

There are federal and state laws that protect the privacy rights of students and families. Confidentiality means protecting all personally identifiable data, information and records collected, used or kept by the school about a student. Confidentiality requirements also apply to any and all events, conversations you might see or overhear someone discussing. 

 

Personally Identifiable Information

  • Child/children and/or family names and address
  • Any Social Security or student numbers 
  • Description that would make it easy to identify a child
  • Anything else that would make it easy to identify a child. 

 

What you SEE and/or HEAR  in a school, classroom, hallway, bathroom, cafeteria, or at any site or activity should be considered confidential and only discussed or repeated to your supervisor, teacher or principal. Even if you know a parent of one of the students you work with; do not discuss those activities with that parent.  

 

Laws also govern special education confidentiality. Any written or verbal communication with anyone who does not have a right to know is in violation of the law. A volunteer should not discuss a child’s disability with any individual outside of the classroom teacher, the principal, guidance counselor or instructional leader.

 

Expectations of Parent Volunteers

 

  1. Please dress appropriately for working with children. 
  2. Parents/volunteers may not “discipline” students. If a situation between students occurs at school – whether it involves your child or other children, please notify the teacher and let the school officials take care of the discipline. 
  3. If you cannot make the prearranged time, please let the teacher know as soon as possible so lesson plans can be changed. 
  4. Cell phones should be off while you are working with children, except in case of emergencies. If you must take a call, please do so outside of the classroom. Talking on the phone is very distracting to the students. 
  5. Parent volunteers should make other arrangements for siblings and/or other children in their care while volunteering in the classroom. 

 

As a volunteer: 

  • I realize that I am subject to a code of ethics similar to that which binds professional educators. 
  • I will keep confidential matters private. 
  • I also understand the school’s principal reserves the right to deny or remove any volunteer violating confidentiality or any other Jesse Stuart policy. 

 

By signing this agreement, I am stating that I will not divulge information about any student or family to any person outside of the school setting. 



 

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 Volunteer/Parent Name (please print) 

 

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 Volunteer/Parent signature & date