Volunteer Information

A volunteer is a parent or other person who has made an accepted commitment to assist the school without expectation of compensation. This policy does not apply to students and to school staff who volunteer.

The Role of Volunteers

• Volunteers should function in a supportive role which is compatible with the philosophy of the school and should not undertake tasks that require making programmatic or educational decisions.

• Volunteers must not be used to provide services that would result in the displacement of any employee.

Screening and Selection

• Volunteers are selected on the basis of an ability to work with students, skill in performing needed services, previous related experience, interest in the work, and personal character.

• Volunteers are encouraged from within the community at large, and efforts should be made to involve a wide representation of the community.

• The principal or designate must ensure that the screening of potential volunteers depending on the nature of the activity and the extent of supervision undertaken by the potential volunteer, the need for an interview to determine the appropriateness of the volunteer candidate.

• When a volunteer will be with a student(s) and will not be under the direct supervision of a teacher or administrator or will have regular and ongoing involvement with students, a Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector Check) is required. The Criminal Record Check will be valid for three years. The Principal has the discretion to waive this process if the volunteer has previously undertaken a similar screening process with another organization or program within the past six months and is able to provide copies or proof.

• Volunteers who will be driving students need to provide the school with a Driver’s Abstract on an annual basis. The Driver’s Abstract will be valid for five years.

• Volunteers must not be assigned tasks, which would violate the privacy of students or their families, or be permitted access to student records, with the exception of contact information required for the Safe Arrival Program.

• It must be recognized some applicants will not be suitable for volunteer work in a school setting. All information collected in the screening process should be officially documented and treated as confidential.

• A volunteer’s services may be terminated at the discretion of the principal.