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Why should volunteers register through Volunteer Connect?
MOST IMPORTANTLY…
FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN
When a volunteer completes the online application, they are screened through the National Sex Offender Registry before being approved to volunteer. NO ONE should volunteer without going through this screening!
Volunteers have the option of selecting the school they prefer to volunteer at. They can select one location, or multiple locations. Volunteers can also select the functions in which they wish to volunteer, and select one or multiple functions. An approved SPS volunteer may serve in a variety of ways depending on their interests, availability, and school needs.
Risk Management
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Legal Matters
Volunteers certify that there are no outside legal matters that would interfere with their ability to perform their volunteer duties. (Examples: a parent who has restrictions on visitation with their child, active restraining orders related to a student or employee on the campus, etc.). If any legal restriction is put in place, the volunteer understands that he or she must notify the principal at their assigned school, along with the school and District Volunteer Coordinator.
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Maintaining Student Confidentiality and Privacy
As part of your volunteer service with Suffolk Public Schools, you may have access to certain private and/or confidential information about students. Volunteers agree to comply with all applicable rules and laws regarding student confidentiality and privacy.
- FERPA: Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act protects the privacy of student records. A student record is defined as any document that contains information directly related to a student (i.e. discipline reports, attendance records, test scores, written student statements, grades, transcripts, meeting notes, special education/504 records, etc.).
- Other privacy laws exist that prohibit volunteers from verbally sharing information, communicating about a child other than their own, or identifying a child on social media without express permission.
- Volunteers must understand that the academic and personal information they know about a student should be shared only with the appropriate teachers and school staff and should not be shared with neighbors, friends, other parents, or community members.
- Unless otherwise specified, all communication with parents should be handled by the teacher or school staff.
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Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome, unsolicited behavior of sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with the life of the targets. Consequences of sexual harassment are listed in the Student Code of Conduct.
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Proper Interactions With Students
Communications
- Do not engage in social networking with students via Facebook, MySpace, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, Twitter, YouTube, or any other social networking website to initiate or maintain a relationship(s) with any student that is not consistent with appropriate professional behavior and/or boundaries
- Do not say or write things to a student that you would be uncomfortable sharing with the student’s parents, district/school administrators, or the teacher you are working with
- Do not make any comments that are based on gender or could be construed as sexist
- Do not make any comments and/or innuendos that are sexual in nature or could be construed as sexual
- Do not make jokes that belittle or diminish another person
- Do not give students compliments that focus on physical attributes
- Do not initiate conversations or correspondence of a private and/or personal nature with students
Working Alone with Students at School
- Always keep the door open and lights on
- Do not post anything on class windows that would obstruct a clear view of the room
