Menifee Union School District Visitor and Volunteer Handbook

www.menifeeusd.org

MUSD Welcomes You! 

Welcome 

Welcome to the Menifee Union School District. We appreciate your time and effort in helping to make MUSD the best educational environment for all schools. In this handbook you will find important information that will make your volunteer service successful and rewarding. 

Whether you are new or a former volunteer returning to Menifee Union School District, feel free to ask for help concerning anything you don’t understand. Your assistance is valued because volunteers help teachers prepare materials and provide assistance and support for individual students. 

Background Check 

In accordance with Board Policy 1240 and California Education, volunteers that perform volunteer service five hours or less per week (Level A Volunteer) will require to submit an online application through the RAPTOR system which includes a Megan’s Law clearance check.  All volunteers and visitors at this level will check in and out daily with the RAPTOR system and have a sticker badge visible at all times while on campus.

Volunteers that perform volunteer service, more than five hours per week (Level B Volunteer) or chaperone fieldtrips are required to submit an online application through the RAPTOR system, which includes a Megan’s Law clearance check, verification of Tuberculosis Risk Assessment/Examination clearance, and a background check through being fingerprinted by Livescan (To be paid by prospective volunteer).  All volunteers who obtain fingerprint clearance will be issued a “Blue Badge” from the personnel department and must wear a visible daily RAPTOR sticker badge when on a school campus.

A Visitor is defined as an individual who, with school administration authorization, attends a performance, Back-to-School Event, or is observing a classroom with site administrator permission.  Approved visitors observing a classroom or his/her own child in the school environment will be accompanied by a site administrator.  Visitors must sign into the RAPTOR system and have a sticker badge visible at all times while on campus.  For the purpose of observation during the school day, visitors must call ahead for an appointment and will be allowed a maximum of 30 minutes for each observational time.

Standards of Conduct 

By volunteering with the Menifee Union School District, you have a responsibility to the District and to your fellow volunteers to adhere to certain rules of behavior and conduct. The purpose of these rules is not to restrict your rights, but rather to be certain that the learning environment is not compromised. When a person is aware that he or she can fully depend upon others to follow the rules of conduct, then our organization is a better place to work for everyone. Volunteers should become familiar with the specific rules at the site(s) at which they volunteer. 

Generally speaking, we expect each person to act in a mature and responsible manner at all times. District standards of conduct and personnel policies include, but are not limited to: 
•    Observing safety rules at all times and using common sense in operating any type of equipment.
•    Treating fellow volunteers, teachers, students, parents, and administrators with respect and kindness. 
•    “Zero Tolerance” for the possession of any type of firearm, weapon, or explosive, on District premises. 
•    The maintenance of a drug-free workplace. Employees and volunteers are prohibited from being intoxicated or under the influence of controlled substances while volunteering; use, possession, or sale of a controlled substance in any quantity while on District premises (except medications prescribed by a physician which do not impair volunteer performance) will result in immediate dismissal.
•    This is a tobacco free School District. Tobacco products shall not be used on District premises. 
•    No soliciting or selling of products, services, etc. on District property without the prior written approval of the Superintendent or his designee. 
•    Refraining from proselytizing in regard to religion or politics on District property. 
•    Maintaining the confidentiality of all personal and privileged information. 

Policies and Procedures that all Volunteers Should Know

Absence and Punctuality

Volunteers are asked to commit to specific time(s) and day(s), as teachers need to know they can count on you. If you are unable to volunteer on a given day, or if you will arrive late, please contact your site immediately. 

Sign In/Out 

All volunteers must sign in each day at the RAPTOR kiosk with a government-issued form of ID and display the volunteer badge the RAPTOR system provides. We also request that volunteers sign-out at the RAPTOR kiosk when they have completed their volunteer time for the day. 

Discipline

Classroom teachers and school administrators are responsible for student discipline. Rules and procedures related to student discipline have been established by the school and individual classroom teachers. These guidelines are maintained for the safety and welfare of all students. Fairness, consistency, and follow-through are essential to maintaining good control. Please remember to ask for the assistance of the teacher if a situation calls for follow-up disciplinary action. 

Confidentiality

You are responsible for respecting the confidentiality of all students, staff, and privileged information which you may be exposed to as a volunteer. Our students and their families entrust the District with important information relating to their personal lives. The nature of this relationship requires maintenance of confidentiality. Your volunteering with the District assumes an obligation to maintain this confidentiality. It is essential that you not share any information about students, even with your own family, friends, or acquaintances. Because of its seriousness, disclosure of confidential information could lead to dismissal. 

Equal Volunteering Opportunity

The Menifee Union School District provides equal volunteering opportunities for everyone regardless of age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, political belief, or disability that does not prohibit performance of essential job functions. All matters relating to volunteering are based upon ability to perform the job, as well as dependability and reliability. 

Volunteer Relations with Students and Their Families 

The success of MUSD’s volunteer program depends upon the quality of the relationship between the District volunteers, teachers, students and parents, and the general public. Regardless if you are a volunteer or a paid staff member, you are an ambassador for Menifee Union School District. 

Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect 

Volunteers should report to the school administrator if they have any reason to believe a student has been abused or neglected. 

Resignation/Dismissal 

If for any reason you decide not to continue volunteering with the District, please inform your site administrator and those you work with directly. The District reserves the right to discontinue the volunteer relationship with any individual. 

Other Policies 

As a general rule, volunteers must be 18 years or older or have an approved (by site principal) high school community service contract.  A letter from an accredited university may also be approved by the principal for the purpose of observation hours as part of a college program requirement.

Younger siblings should not accompany parent volunteers to school when they are volunteering. Pre-schoolers and younger siblings can be a distraction to students, staff, and parent volunteers in the classroom. Additionally, younger siblings need to be supervised carefully for their own safety in the school environment. Some of the equipment that is used by volunteers should not be accessible and is not safe for preschoolers (laminating machines, paper cutters, scissors, staplers, copy machines, etc.) 

Office Machines  

The staff appreciates volunteers helping teachers prepare classroom materials. Volunteers should be trained on the correct usage of all office equipment. It is also very helpful if volunteers are willing to step aside and allow teachers or office staff to interrupt them and use machines during recess or on occasions when staff members need immediate access to machines or equipment at school. District equipment is only to be used for educational/school purposes. They are not for personal use. Volunteer flexibility and cooperation in this area is greatly appreciated. All volunteers shall adhere to the provisions of the federal copyright law and maintain the highest ethical standards in using copyrighted materials. The District shall provide no legal support to any volunteer who violates copyright laws. 

Dress Code 

Volunteers are expected to dress in accordance with accepted social and business standards. If you are unsure as to the appropriateness of particular attire, please consult with the site administrator. 

Staff Lounge Guidelines 

The staff lounge should not be used as a “workroom”. Cutting, pasting, collating, etc. should be done in classrooms, teacher workrooms, or the office workrooms. Teachers should not send parents to work in the lounge. 

Personal Phone Calls 

Cell phones are to be placed in vibrate or silent mode during your volunteer time in the classroom. Personal phone calls should be made off campus to avoid disrupting student learning or teaching. 

Volunteers must not photograph or video record students unless you have permission from site personnel. 

Theft 

No item purchased or supplied by the District should ever be removed from school sites without the express authorization of your site administrator. It is highly recommended that volunteers not bring excessive amounts of money or valuables on campus. If you carry a purse, ask to place it in a secure place. Menifee Union School District is not responsible for personal items lost or stolen. 

Ways To Work with Students 

•    Relax and be yourself.
•    Be friendly toward all students. 
•    Be pleasant and interested in the students’ activities.
•    Encourage the student to try and do the activity to the best of his or her ability.
•    Praise individual students for a job well done. 
•    Encourage positive behavior by making notes of students who are doing things the right way. • Remember that a student often responds better to suggestions, rather than commands.
•    Proceed at the student’s own rate of speed. 
•    Don’t do for a student what he or she can do for him or herself. 
•    Call the student by name at each opportunity. 
•    Approach a subject in a very specific way. In planning with the student, keep your expectations few, short, and clear. 
•    Be flexible! Don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes, nobody is perfect. Students are delighted with this honesty. It gives them a chance to “teach you” and an opportunity for the two of you to learn together which is important both academically and personally.
•    Be patient – remember teachers and students are human. They will have good days as well as bad days, and will not perform at 100% efficiency at all times.