Volunteers should never….

• Administer discipline.  Behavior problems should be addressed by teachers and administrators only.
• Initiate physical contact with students.  Never put your hands on a student, especially when you are angry.
• Contact students outside of the school setting.

 

VOLUNTEER EXPECTATIONS @ MAR VISTA ELEMENTARY
(in alphabetical order)

ATTENDANCE/ABSENCE
If you are unable to volunteer at your assigned time, please call within 24 hours to the staff member you are scheduled to work with, or the Mar Vista office at (831) 688-5211.

BATHROOMS
Volunteers should not use student bathrooms.  Please use the “adults only” bathrooms in the cafeteria or use the bathroom in the office area.

CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE AND RESTRICTIONS
Please put your cell phone on vibrate mode when working on campus.  Cell phone ring tones and conversations are disruptive to the learning environment.  Do not use your cell phone while driving in our parking lot.  Do not use your cell phone while driving students on a field trip except when there is a field trip related emergency or if you need to contact the teacher.  Exchange cell phone numbers with the teacher on the day of the field trip just in case there is an emergency. 

CONFIDENTIALITY
All volunteers, no matter what job they perform, have an obligation to keep in confidence all information that pertains to the students and staff they assist.  Information regarding students, staff, and other volunteers is not to be discussed with anyone who is not entitled to such information.

DEPENDABILITY
Volunteers are expected to report to their program on time during their scheduled hours.  Please call if you are not going to be able to volunteer at set time.  Thank you for your timely communication!

FIELD TRIPS
There are number of strict guidelines for field trips.  You must have current copies of your insurance and driver’s license on file in the office prior to the field trip.  Exchange cell phone numbers with the teacher for emergency use only.  Don’t use your cell phone while driving.  If on the day of the trip, you are unable to fulfill your volunteer responsibilities, notify the teacher asap.  Do not arrange for parent substitute on your own.  Do not make any unscheduled stops when chaperoning students on a trip.  This includes extra stops for treats or snacks or unplanned visits to nearby stores or gift shops.  Remember that you are the adult in charge when assigned to monitor a group of children on a field trip.  Carefully follow all instructions given to you by your child’s teacher and
enjoy the day!

FINGER PRINTING
If the volunteer is not going to be alone with students and will always be under a teacher or administrator’s supervision, then they do not need to be fingerprinted.

POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT
We believe that all people, adults and children, deserve love and respect.  We create a positive atmosphere in our programs by encouraging and supporting our students and one another.  We do not accept verbal abuse of any kind.

SERIOUS BEHAVIOR CONCERNS
Serious concerns about student behavior during volunteer time should be referred to the teacher or another staff member immediately.  Do not reprimand or try to discipline students.  There is always a staff member near by. 

SIGN IN/OUT TIME SHEETS

Anyone entering the building must sign in and out and also wear a volunteer badge at all times.  Please document all volunteer hours by recording your in and out times in the book in the office at the front desk.  It is very important to us to know who is on campus at all times.  Volunteer badges help alert us to any strangers who might be on campus. 

SUSPECTED CHILD ABUSE
Child abuse shall be defined as any mistreatment or neglect of a child by an adult resulting in serious injury or harm to the child.  Any volunteer who suspects child abuse should notify the child’s teacher.  If the teacher is not available, contact the Mar Vista principal at 688-5211.  It shall be their responsibility to determine whether child abuse is suspected as per the State Code and whether a report will be made.

VISITING WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS
Please refrain from visiting with other volunteers when in your child’s classroom.  Parents gathering to chat outside a classroom can also be disruptive.

YOUNGER SIBLINGS
Check with your child’s teacher before bringing a younger sibling to class.  Sibling participation in class during your volunteer hours will be left to individual teachers’ discretion.  However, your younger sibling must always be within your sight and must be your immediate concern. 

BEHAVIORAL TECHNIQUES

Recall that all discipline is to be conducted by teachers and administration, not volunteers or visitors.  If you feel that a student may need discipline, make a referral to the teacher in charge.  Here are some ideas to assist you in encouraging the best behavior from our students. 

1.  POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT
Find someone using good behavior and be really interested in what they are doing.
Praise the child for doing the appropriate thing.
For example, “I like the way you started working right away.”

2.  DISTRACTION/REDIRECTION/REFOCUS THE DISCUSSION

3.  ACTIVE LISTENING
Sometimes it is enough for a child to hear that you understand and accept and understand their feelings.

4.  CONSISTENCY
Be specific and follow through.

5.  CHOICES
Choice does not mean allowing a child to not follow a directive. 
Give the child some control over the situation.
Offer only choices you intend to honor.
For example, “Would you like to read to me in the hall or the media center?”

6.  BEHAVIOR SPECIFIC DIRECTIVES
Let the child know exactly what it is that you expect for behavior.
For example: “I expect you to…”
Rather than using broad instruction such as, "Be good," be more specific. 
For example, "Turn around in your chair, and work on your math problems." 
Tell the child what you want them to do vs. what you want them to stop doing. 
Rather than telling the child to stop screaming, tell the child to please use an inside voice.

7.  SETTING LIMITS/EXPECTATIONS
Limits are necessary and help kids feel safe, if enforced correctly.
Keep them simple and positive.

8.  UNCONDITIONAL POSITIVE REGARD
Treat all children with respect.  Children do not have to earn this by behaving in a certain way.  This is our right as human beings.
 
9.  NATURAL/LOGICAL CONSEQUENCES
Natural consequences happen without adult intervention.
“If you don't come to snack now, all the apples will be gone and
you won't get any.”
Logical consequences do require adult intervention.
“If you waste your reading time, it will run into your game time, and you'll have less time to play.”

10. HUMOR
A great way to defuse a tense situation, so that it can be dealt with more effectively, is to use humor. Never underestimate the power of a little bit of levity.  Sarcasm is, however, not an appropriate form of humor with students.  Sarcasm is usually misunderstood by children and frequently leads to bigger problems for everyone. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PEOPLE YOU WILL WANT TO KNOW:
Principal:  Chris Hertz
Assistant Principal:  Jeremy Ertl
School Secretary:  Barbara DiPuma & Dorothy Delucchi
School Volunteer Coordinator:  Sandra Morgan
PTO President:  Jim Wason

SCHOOL PROCEDURES YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Fire Drill:  Exit the nearest outside door that is not blocked.
Emergency Drill:  An announcement will come over intercom:  “This is a lock down.”  “This is a code red lock down.”  Please go to a homeroom and follow the instruction of the classroom teacher.
Dress Code:  Dress as a positive role model for children. 
Our student dress code should guide you.
School Hours:  7:50 – 2:05  (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday)
7:50 – 12:05 (Wednesday)*
Office Hours: 7:30-4:00 Monday-Friday 
(* kindergarten does not have a special Wednesday schedule)

OTHER:
Parking:  Any where in parking lot except the lower lot.

Who to contact when you are late or absent: Email teacher you ar