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Volunteering in WASD » How to Volunteer in Windber Area School District

How to Volunteer in Windber Area School District

Process on how to become a volunteer in the District

Volunteering in Windber Area School District

The Board supports and encourages the participation of parents/guardians and community residents to enhance the educational, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs of the district.

Authority:  The Board may adopt and enforce reasonable rules and regulations governing volunteers and their participation in the activities of the district. The Board directs that all volunteers shall be informed of conduct that is prohibited and the disciplinary actions that may be applied for violation of Board policies, administrative regulations, rules, and procedures. All volunteers shall be expected to maintain professional, moral, and ethical relationships with district students that are conducive to an effective, safe learning environment.

Visitor - a parent/guardian, adult resident, educator, official or other individual who is not a school employee or independent contractor, and who visits a school or attends or participates in an event or activity at a school, but whose role is less substantial than would be sufficient to meet the definition of volunteer for purposes of this policy. 

Volunteer – an adult, whose role is more than that of a visitor, who voluntarily offers a service to the district without receiving compensation from the district. A volunteer is not a school employee.

The two (2) classifications of volunteers are:

  1. Position Volunteer - an adult applying for or holding an unpaid position with a school or a program, activity, or service, as a person responsible for the child’s welfare or having direct volunteer contact with children. Examples include, but are not limited to, field trip chaperones, tutors, coaches, activity advisor, recess or library aides, etc.
  2. Guest Volunteer - an adult who voluntarily provides a service to the district, without compensation, who: (1) works directly under the supervision and direction of a school administrator, a teacher, or other member of the school staff; and (2) does not have direct volunteer contact. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteering to assist in classroom celebrations, school assemblies, or school concerts; reading to students; collecting tickets at sporting events; working concession stands; participating in “Career Day,” etc.
 

Each prospective position volunteer shall complete and submit a volunteer application. The names of all position volunteers shall be submitted for approval by the Windber Board of School Directors. The names of all guest volunteers shall be submitted for approval by the building principal or designee. Upon approval, volunteers shall be placed on the list of approved volunteers. Approval shall be required prior to beginning service as a volunteer.

Certifications:  Prior to approval, all position volunteers shall submit the following information:

  1. PA Child Abuse History Certification - which must be less than sixty (60) months old.
  2. PA State Police Criminal History Record Information - which must be less than sixty (60) months old.
  3. Disclosure Statement for Volunteers - which is a statement swearing or affirming the applicant has not been disqualified from service by reason of conviction of designated criminal offenses or being listed as the perpetrator in a founded report of child abuse. For those parents/guardians who are ineligible to attend a field trip but would like to have a family member attend, they must complete this form. 
 

If a position volunteer has not been a resident of Pennsylvania during the entirety of the previous ten-year period, the position volunteer must also submit the following information:  

  1. Federal Criminal History Report - issued at any time since the volunteer established residency. Use code: 1KG6XN

The Superintendent or designee shall review the information and determine if the information disclosed precludes service as a volunteer. Information submitted by volunteers in accordance with this policy shall be maintained centrally in a manner similar to that used for school employees. Position volunteers shall obtain and submit new certifications every sixty (60) months.

 

Tuberculosis Test:  Prior to participating in student activities, volunteers shall undergo a test for tuberculosis, when required by and in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

Arrest or Conviction Reporting Requirements:  Position volunteers shall report to the Superintendent or designee, in writing, within seventy-two (72) hours, an arrest or conviction required to be reported by law or notification that the volunteer has been named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report pursuant to the Child Protective Services Law. Click here to access the form. 

 

The Superintendent or designee shall immediately require a position volunteer to submit new certifications if the Superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that the volunteer was arrested for or has been convicted of an offense required to be reported by law, was named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report, or has provided written notice of such occurrence. Failure to accurately report such occurrences may subject the position volunteer to disciplinary action up to and including denial of volunteer service and criminal prosecution.

 

Child Abuse Reporting: All volunteers who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is the victim of child abuse shall make a report of suspected child abuse in accordance with applicable law, Board policy, and administrative regulations.

Supervision: Each volunteer shall be under the supervision of a designated school administrator, teacher, or other member of the school staff. No volunteer shall be permitted access to confidential student information unless the supervisor has determined that such access is necessary for the volunteer to fulfill their responsibilities. Volunteers with access to confidential student information shall maintain the confidentiality of that information in accordance with district policies and procedures and applicable law. If a volunteer has questions about the confidentiality of student information, the volunteer should consult with the building principal.