Denver Public SchoolsVolunteer

Orientation

WelcomeBrenda Vasquez, Manager

Office of Volunteer Services

2409 Arapahoe St.

Denver CO 80205

720-424-8245

Fax – 720-424-8266

Brenda_Vasquez@dpsk12.org

Office of Volunteer Services

• Volunteer Background Checks

• Donations

• Property Tax Credit Program

• Spellbinders Program

• Adaptive Devices Volunteers

• VOA/RSVP, Metro Volunteers

The Denver Plan

http://thedenverplan.dpsk12.org/

Volunteer Application

• Required for all volunteers

Criminal Background Check

• Required for non-parents volunteering on a regular basis or parents volunteering in a school other than their child’s school.

Background Check Process

• Complete the background check form

• Submit to your school of the Office of Volunteer Services for processing.

• You will be contacted by the school once you have cleared the screening process.

• Process takes 1 – 2 weeks.

Tips for Classroom Volunteers

• First meeting

• School Culture

First Meeting

Vision:George Washington expands the intellectual and human potential of our students by providing an environment that encourages them to become

educated and knowledgeable citizens.  We provide a diverse world perspective and foster the

development of lifelong learners with integrity, character and personal responsibility.  We enable

students by providing equal access to rigorous college prep training and real-life opportunities

and experiences.

School Culture

Core Values:

DiscoveryCritical Thinking

World PerspectiveExcellence for All Students

IntegrityCharacter

Responsibility for Personal ActionsA Safe Environment to Learn, Experiment

and Grow

Tips for Classroom Volunteers

• Work Area

• Teachers Lounge

• Bulletin Boards

• Be Open-minded Boundaries

• Communication

• Behavior Plan

• Special Needs Students

School CalendarHandout

Emergency Response & Crisis Management

• Emergency Management Template

• Locate within the school

General Rules for Children

• Rock, snowball or sand throwing is prohibited.

• Children should be polite and courteous at all times.

• No pushing, shoving, wrestling or fighting is allowed.

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN

• Children should not jump from swings, stand while swinging, swing with or push another child, or twist the chains of the swing.

• Children should sit down when sliding.

• Climbing up the slide is not allowed.

• Respect and maintain all school property.

• Keep materials neat and orderly.

• Request permission from the principal before you hang items from the ceiling or light fixtures.

• Use only sticky-tak when hanging items on the walls. No scotch tape!

GUIDELINES FOR CARE OF SCHOOL AND MATERIALS

GUIDELINES FOR CARE OF FACILITY AND MATERIALS

• For messy projects, put plastic tablecloths down (instead of newspaper) to protect tables, floors.

When in doubt, REPORT

• Teacher or Supervising Adults:

School employees are legally obligated to report, or ensure a report is made, about any suspected or alleged child abuse.

CHILD ABUSE GUIDELINES

• Occasionally a child will disclose during a group activity. It is important for volunteers to acknowledge the disclosure but not discuss it in front of the other students. After the group activity, the volunteer should talk with a staff member in a quiet, private place.

DON'T:

• Lead the child in questioning by suggesting what might have taken place. For example: “Did he pull down your pants?” “Did she hit you?”

• Ask the child to remove or undo clothing to find evidence of physical abuse.

Don’t

• Disclose the information indiscriminately. Tell only those adults who need the information to protect and support the child.

CHILD ABUSE GUIDELINES

• ** Please note this is a very sensitive issue and must be discussed with the School Principal who will then proceed with the correct action and/or report suspected abuse.

Student Confidentiality

• I agree to operate under and in accordance with the policies of the Denver Public Schools while performing my duties as a school volunteer and to limit my discussion of confidential information to the professional staff only.

Questions & Answers