WELCOME TO

Divine Mercy

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION

Parental Involvement

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Partner: a person engaged with others in the learning process

Achievement: the desired outcome all parents want for their children

Resource: many ways to strengthen the home-school partnership

Education: the foundation for a good future

Nourishment: experiences for your children

Teacher: a member of the partnership in the learning process.

Advisor: a key role of each parent

Learning: a total experience which takes place in the home, school, and community

RESPONSIBILITIES

Divine Mercy Administrationis committed to:

facilitating monitoring evaluating and providing continuity for

the success of the volunteer program.

Divine Mercy Staff are committed to: welcoming volunteers providing materials

informing them about their tasks encouraging their initiatives and celebrating their

efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Divine Mercy Volunteers are committed to:

respecting school rules and procedures performing assigned tasks to the best of their

ability

working cooperatively with all staff and seeking

clarification when necessary.

PARENT VOLUNTEER DUTIESVolunteers are asked to give of their time:

either in school, or

at home, over a mutually agreed upon time period.

To meet the needs of Divine Mercy School and the whole spectrum of volunteer interests, we have structured activities in the following areas:

✓ CLASSROOM✓ CLERICAL

✓ LEARNING COMMONS✓ SCHOOL DISPLAYS✓ SUPERVISION

✓ SCHOOL COUNCIL✓ FUN LUNCH PROGRAM

✓ FIELD TRIPS✓ SCHOOL EVENTS (I.E.: Terry Fox Run, Shrove Tuesday Breakfast)

It is important that you are realistic about the amount of time that you can offer the school

and what you are able to handle. Being at Divine Mercy School should be a positive

experience and we understand that volunteering may not be possible if your commitments

outweigh the amount of time that you have available.

VOLUNTEER

GUIDELINES and EXPECTATIONS

Volunteer must not share information about students, staff, or other volunteers with other people. If a volunteer has a concern, bring the matter forward to the appropriate school staff or school administrator.

If a volunteer has a issue with a student, he/she should redirect the matter to the student’s teacher and speak with school administration.

If a volunteer has a issue with a teacher, he/she should discuss the matter first with that teacher, and if necessary, speak with school administration.

A volunteer cannot use his/her presence in the school as an opportunity to dialogue with teachers concerning his/her own child’s situation. Volunteers who wish to speak to a teacher about his/her child should make an appointment for another time.

All volunteers work is done under the direct and immediate supervision of a teacher and may need to follow an appropriate work style to meet the expectations of each individual teacher. A volunteer is not to be placed in a situation where he/she is responsible for the direct supervision of students.

Within the Calgary Catholic School District, the role of volunteers is viewed as a supportive one.

All volunteers are expected to abide by the rules of the school and District regulations.

It is the school personnel’s responsibility to ensure that volunteers are properly informed about their tasks and welcomed in the school.

It is the responsibility of the volunteer to do his/her assigned tasks to the best of their ability. A volunteer is expected to work co-operatively with all staff members andseek clarification whenever necessary

Parking

Volunteers are asked to park on the street. Our school parking lot can only accommodate staff

vehicles.

Please watch for the “No Parking” areas along the street (i.e. bus zones).

Also, you may wish to leave valuables, such as a purse, locked in your vehicle as we have no place in

the school to secure them.

Signing-In & Out

This is the only way for the staff to know where you are in the building in case of an emergency.

Remember to use the binder to sign-in and sign-out at the office every time you volunteer.

It is very important that all adults in the building be identifiable by every student. Therefore, we ask that you wear your volunteer badge when volunteering.

VOLUNTEER HEALTH AND SAFETY INFORMATION

* Volunteers need to be aware of District “Hygiene Procedures for Handling Blood and Other Body Fluids of All Persons”.

1. Wear gloves (found in nurse’s room).2. Alert administrator and/or teacher.3. Attend to the injury or spill.4. Wash hands before removing gloves and again after

removing gloves. Use liquid soap, if available.

* Volunteers need to be aware of the following Occupational Health and Safety Programs:

Emergency Procedures for Fire DrillsFirst Aid LocationsStaff with First Aid CertificationReporting procedures for accidents/incidentsLockdowns

VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES

Safety for Fire DrillsDuring a fire drill volunteers must follow the same procedures as staff,

Including leaving the building. Locate the closest exit by referring to the

evacuation map by the door of each room. Make your way to the field or school

yard where attendance will be taken.

Safety for LockdownsWhen you hear the word LOCKDOWN 3 times over the intercom system, you

must:

1. Immediately go into the closest classroom or office.

2. Keep away from the door and windows, sit where the poster with a green lock is located.

3. Keep the lights on.

4. Ensure the door is in locked position.

5. Ensure complete quiet/all cell phones turned off in front of you on the floor.

6. Do not open door if someone knocks or leave the room, no matter what!

7. Remain in secured room until Administration or CPS unlock the doors.

VOLUNTEER DRIVER AUTHORIZATION

The District recognizes the value of off-site curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular school activities for students, but also recognizes the many safety factors inherent in transporting students to activities held off school property. Consequently, the District has established expectations for employees, students, parents, and volunteers in order to enhance the safe transportation of students to off-site activities.

Parents and Other Adult Volunteer Drivers:

Adult volunteers driving their own vehicle must have five years driving experience and have a valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s License with no more than 6 demerit points, including no dangerous driving or alcohol-related offences. They may drive their own vehicle, as a volunteer driver, to transport students to school-related activities. Volunteers must complete and sign a District Volunteer Driver Authorization form (Form 562- 1)(available at the school and kept on file at the school) prior to acting as a volunteer driver to transport students. Copy of Driver’s License and Insurance Coverage Summary must also be handed into the office.

Gentle Reminders:

✓Please remember to sign out upon leaving for the day.

✓All doors are locked for the safety of all students and staff; please do not prop/block doors open.

✓As a volunteer you are not expected to be responsible for the actions of the children or for disciplining to them. If a child continues to be disruptive, seek assistance from any of our support staff as well as our teachers and/or administrators.

What we need from you…

You will become a qualified volunteer at Divine Mercy School once all the documents in the Volunteer Forms Package have been signed and submitted to the office.

✓ Volunteer Application Form (hand in September)✓ Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement (hand in September)✓ Volunteer Health and Safety Acknowledgment Sheet✓ (hand in September)✓ Volunteer Acceptable Use Policy for Network Use✓ (hand in September)✓ Divine Mercy Volunteer Questionnaire (online: back page of package)

* Volunteer Driver Authorization (optional) (See office staff in the fall if needed)

Volunteer Forms Package:

✓ Divine Mercy Volunteer Questionnaire (online: back page of package)

THANK YOUFOR VOLUNTEERING AT

Divine Mercy SchoolIf you have any questions, please see Mrs. O’Flaherty

“Leadership is practiced not so much in wordsas in attitude and in actions.” ~ Harold S. Geneen