Denver Public Schools Volunteer Orientation

1. Denver Public SchoolsVolunteerOrientation

2. Welcome Brenda Vasquez, Manager Office of Volunteer Services 2409 Arapahoe St. Denver CO 80205 720-424-8245 Fax – 720-424-8266 Brenda_Vasquez@dpsk12.org

3. Office of Volunteer Services • Volunteer Background Checks • Donations • Property Tax Credit Program • Spellbinders Program • Adaptive Devices Volunteers • VOA/RSVP, Metro Volunteers

4. The Denver Plan http://thedenverplan.dpsk12.org/

7. Volunteer Application • Required for all volunteers

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

9. 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.

10. Tips for Classroom Volunteers • First meeting • School Culture

11. First Meeting

12. School Culture 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.

13. Core Values: DiscoveryCritical ThinkingWorld PerspectiveExcellence for All StudentsIntegrityCharacterResponsibility for Personal ActionsA Safe Environment to Learn, Experiment and Grow

14. Tips for Classroom Volunteers • Work Area • Teachers Lounge • Bulletin Boards • Be Open-minded Boundaries • Communication • Behavior Plan • Special Needs Students

15. School CalendarHandout

16. Emergency Response & Crisis Management • Emergency Management Template • Locate within the school

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. GUIDELINES FOR CARE OF SCHOOL AND MATERIALS • 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!

22. GUIDELINES FOR CARE OF FACILITY AND MATERIALS • For messy projects, put plastic tablecloths down (instead of newspaper) to protect tables, floors.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. Don’t • Disclose the information indiscriminately. Tell only those adults who need the information to protect and support the child.

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. Questions & Answers