Guide to Volunteering

Volunteer Orientation

Thank you for your interest in volunteering in Academy District 20 schools.

Application Process

Applying to Volunteer

Submit your volunteer application at least two weeks before the event.
Complete all fields of the application.
If you answer 3 Yes 4 to any questions, provide a detailed explanation in the box provided.
3 Yes 4 answers regarding arrests or convictions will require additional documentation for consideration.

Volunteer Website

Visit the Academy District 20 volunteering page: Volunteering at Academy District 20.

Select Apply to Volunteer. All volunteers, including current ASD20 staff members, must complete an application.

Background Checks

There is no cost to the volunteer for required background checks.

RAPTOR Background Check

Used for most guardian volunteers, including day field trips and classroom volunteers.
Based on personally identifiable information.

FBI Background Check

Used for non-guardian volunteers, WATCH D.O.G.S. volunteers, volunteer coaches, overnight trips, and similar roles.
Based on fingerprints.
Completed by appointment only at the Human Resources department at the District office.

Volunteer Application

Read the application carefully.
Select one volunteer type that best describes the volunteering you will do.
Your volunteer type determines the appropriate level of background check.
The confidentiality agreement gives permission to complete a background check and confirms that the application has been completed truthfully.

Confidentiality Agreement

All approved volunteers must have a signed confidentiality agreement on file acknowledging that they have read and understand the district 26s expectations for volunteers.

Volunteers must honor areas that may contain sensitive or confidential information, including:

Secretary 26s desk and surrounding area
Testing areas
Health room
Staff lounge

Orientation and Expectations

Privacy

Volunteers should never:

Hand back assignments when grades are visible.
Grade student work.
Enter grades into a teacher 26s grade book, electronic or otherwise.
Access student phone numbers or addresses.

Volunteers should never have access to:

Department of Human Services reports
Disciplinary files
Permanent school records or cumulative files
Child abuse reports
504 and IEP evaluations
Special education records
Health or medical records

Supervision

Approved volunteers may work with students only under the supervision of a licensed staff member who is in close proximity.
For liability reasons, volunteers may not bring their own children to school while volunteering.
Volunteers may not help in the health room or with special education.

Responsibilities and Procedures

Safety

All staff and volunteers are expected to conduct themselves professionally and refrain from discriminatory or harassing behavior toward students or adults.
Be aware of safety expectations related to body fluids and nut-restricted areas.
Staff and volunteers have a duty of care for students and must act to avoid injury or undue risk.
Students should not be left unsupervised.

Drug-Free and Tobacco-Free Zones

Staff and volunteers are prohibited from being under the influence of, possessing, or distributing alcohol or drugs in the workplace or at school-sponsored activities.
This applies to all school property, including parking lots.

Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting

Under Colorado law, any staff member or volunteer who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a student has been subjected to abuse, neglect, or self-harm must immediately report the concern to a building administrator or school counselor.

Who Should Report

Any person who has reasonable cause to know or suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or who has observed conditions that could reasonably result in abuse or neglect, must immediately report or cause a report to be made to the county department or local law enforcement agency. This includes public and private school officials or employees.

Immunity from Liability

Any person, other than the perpetrator, who participates in good faith in making a report is immune from liability, civil or criminal, or termination of employment that might otherwise result from reporting.

Third-Party Reporting

Educators are required to report these instances.

How to Respond to a Child

Do

Believe the child.
Reassure the child.
Be positive.
Listen.
Tell the child help is available.
Let the child know you are reporting the information and what will happen next.
Seek support.

Do Not

Promise confidentiality.
Express panic or shock.
Convey anger or impatience.
Make negative comments about the perpetrator.
Get into a moral lecture.
Disclose the information indiscriminately.

Volunteer Procedures

Volunteers are scheduled and assigned tasks at the discretion of the teacher to best support student needs and the daily instructional schedule.
Follow all school routines and procedures while in the school building.
If you are unsure what to do, ask a staff member for help.
Follow teacher directions and remain under teacher supervision when working with students.

Expectations

Call or email the teacher or front office if you are unable to volunteer as scheduled.
Show care and concern for students.
Show care and concern for fellow adults.
Set a good example through manners, dress, and language.
Use adult bathrooms only.
Do not use cell phones in classrooms or when working with students. Phones should be on silent mode in classrooms.

Field Trip Information for Parent Volunteers

Student safety is the top priority during field trips.
Field trips are extensions of classroom learning, and all school procedures and rules apply.
Parent volunteer chaperones must have attended Volunteer Orientation during the current school year.
Teachers assign responsibilities and small-group supervision based on student needs and constructive grouping.
Parent volunteer chaperones must accept the assignments given by the teacher.
Teachers arrange the correct number of parent chaperones for each field trip.
Only parents designated by the teacher as chaperones may attend a school field trip.
Designated parent chaperones must attend the entire field trip, from directions at school before departure until everyone returns safely.
If parent chaperones provide their own transportation, they must be present when directions are given to students before departure.
Only children in the designated classes may attend a school field trip. Siblings of any age are not allowed.
Photos of children on a field trip may not be posted on social media, per school district policy.