Dear Volunteers, “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.”John 13:15 Thank you for your willingness to share your time and talent with the faith community of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. The faculty and staff look forward to working with you to promote the value of service as you join in the teaching ministry of the Church. I encourage you to ask for help, direction, or advice as you participate in the numerous opportunities to volunteer. I thank you for your priceless gift of gratuitous service.
Julie M. Manion Head of the Administrative Team Volunteer Handbook Mission Statement “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve…” (Mark 10:45) Research indicates that parent volunteerism in schools enhances student self-esteem, increases academic achievement and improves student behavior and attendance. We appreciate the priceless service that you provide us and we have created this Volunteer Handbook to assist you. We want to make sure that you are well informed on all aspects of volunteering at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School.
MissionSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic School educates the whole child in a Christ-centered community valuing service, leadership, and academic excellence. PhilosophySt. Francis of Assisi Catholic School endorses the call of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to express its educational ministry through the objectives of personal spirituality, social justice, and a strong academic program in accord with the Curriculum Guide for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Baker. To develop the total Christian personality by instilling in the students a respect for life and reverence for Christian living. To develop within the school a strong religious education program based on the Catholic Theology, Scripture, Liturgical experience, and service so that each child will grow and develop in the Christian way of life. To facilitate the intellectual, social, and physical development of each child through a variety of instructional methods such as small and large group instruction, departmental classes and other tools for basic knowledge and formation. Vision St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School inspires academic scholars motivated to serve and lead the world with faith and moral character. ValuesSt. Francis School Values: Faith. Compassion. Excellence. Integrity. Perseverance. Joy. PROCEDURES AND POLICIES Application ProcessAll volunteers must complete the required documents and training which include Diocese of Baker Background Check, Safe Environment Training, State Verification Check, Defensive Driving Curriculum Training, and Volunteer Driver Insurance Form. The information you provide on these forms will be held in the strictest confidence. Gratuitous ServiceVolunteers to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School choose to volunteer without an expectation of anything in return. Serving in the ministry of Catholic education is a privilege and not a right. The principal reserves the right to discontinue the services of any volunteer. School HoursClasses are in session from 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM. The School doors are opened for students at 7:45 AM. School Office HoursThe school office is open on all school days from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM. Sign-In ProcedureSchool visitors (volunteers, parents, etc.) must come to the main office. For safety and security reasons, each person is required to sign in at the office when he/she enters the building for any reason. All visitors and/or volunteers are required to wear a designated badge or sticker that may be picked up in the office. Visitors and/or volunteers are to return the badge and sign out at the time of departure. DependabilityThe school relies on your support. We ask that you follow through on tasks by attending to scheduled times and please give notice of absence whenever possible. ConfidentialityA volunteer operates in a position of trust. Personal information pertaining to students must be kept confidential. Children’s actions, responses, progress or problems at school are not for sharing in the community. Conversations between parents, teachers and students in the school are confidential. Volunteers should not discuss these conversations outside of school. Refer any concerns to the Administration. All volunteers will be required to sign the Volunteer Pledge. TechnologyAny defamatory photographs or statements made on a volunteer’s Social Networking Site may be cause for dismissal of services and separation of the volunteer’s family from the school. Health and SafetyA First-Aid kit will be available on every field trip. Chaperones should at no time administer any medication to a student. This includes, but is not limited to over-the-counter medications. Volunteer DressSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic School has very detailed expectations for student dress. Although volunteers do not have a dress code requirement, it is expected that volunteers reflect the image of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School and wear modest clothing while working in the school or during school activities. ResponsibilityThe Administration of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is accountable for facilitating, monitoring, evaluating and providing continuity for the success of the volunteer program. The staff is committed to welcoming volunteers, informing them about their tasks, encouraging their initiatives and celebrating their efforts. Volunteers are expected to adhere to school rules and procedures, perform assigned tasks to the best of their ability, work cooperatively with all staff and seek clarification when necessary. Volunteers are required to enter their volunteer hours into the Facts Family Portal. Inclement Weather If it should be necessary to close the school because of weather conditions, an announcement will be made over television. School closing will be posted on KTVZ 21 and on the schools Facebook page and sent as a text alert/email alert Through FACTS. Emergency DrillsState Law requires that fire drills be held monthly. During the fire drills, students and volunteers should follow these regulations: Rise in silence when the alarm sounds; Close doors; Walk to the assigned place briskly, in single file at all times, and in silence; Stand in a column, facing away from the building; Return to the building when a signal is given. All volunteers are asked to review the Standard Response Protocol presentation which is available on the following site: http://iloveuguys.org/srp_training.html Volunteers are expected to participate in all drills and adhere to the guidelines of silence. Field Trips Parents who chaperone a field trip may not bring siblings on the field trip. All chaperones must be 18 years of age or older. Chaperones must not smoke while on the field trip. This includes the use of electronic cigarette products. Chaperones should dress modestly and appropriately on the field trip. Teachers will notify all chaperones if a specific type of clothing (such as snow boots) is required for the trip. Chaperones should refrain from cell phone use while on the field trip. Chaperones must not allow students to use their cell phones on the field trip. Chaperones must be involved in active supervision while on the field trip. Chaperones may be held responsible for accidents or injuries that happen due to their negligence. Chaperones must not provide money to students while on field trips. Chaperone/Drivers must follow the Oregon Child Safety Seat laws. Children under 40 pounds must ride in the backseat, in a child safety seat. Children over forty pounds can switch to a properly secured booster seat until they are 4 foot, 9 inches or eight years old. Driver’s are responsible for only taking the number of children that matches the number of safety or booster seats they can safely secure in their vehicle. Driver’s must submit the completed driver’s insurance verification to the school office before the field trip. Right to AmendSt. Francis of Assisi Catholic School reserves the right to amend this Handbook. Notice of amendments will be sent to volunteers. *The following sections (Child Safety & Legal Issues) derived from the UnitedStates Conference of Catholic Bishops guidelines regarding the Protection of All God’s Childrenencompasses both school and church. CHILD SAFETY & LEGAL ISSUES Guidelines for the Supervision of MinorsGuidelines include, but are not limited to, the following: Church personnel are responsible for releasing minors in their care at the close of activities only to parents, legal guardians, or other persons designated by parents or legal guardians in writing. Programs for minors should not be administered by only one adult without additional adult supervision. Church personnel should report uncontrollable or unusual behavior of minors to parents as soon as possible. Facilities should be monitored during church services, and all school and other activities. Parents should be encouraged to be part of all services and programs in which their children and young people are involved. Parental permission should be obtained, including a signed medical treatment authorization form before taking minors on trips. Have minors use a “buddy system” whenever they go on trips away from church property. Always obtain parental approval in writing before permitting any minor to participate in athletic or other activities that involve potential risk. SAFE ENVIRONMENT VISION STATEMENT Diocese of Baker By virtue of our baptism, each of us is called by name to participate in the ministry of Christ who is priest, prophet, and king. In accord with that ministry, we are called as priest to share the presence of God with those around us, as prophet we speak the truth even in difficult times and call each other to fidelity to God’s ways, and as king we exemplify the servant leader who generously and conscientiously looks after the welfare of those entrusted to us.Because all human life is a precious gift from God, we must assure that all persons, especially the young and the vulnerable, are to be treated with dignity, respect, and offered an environment, which promotes safety. A safe environment is one that provides for the protection of the physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being of each person. More than simply offering protection from danger, a safe environment within our context also reflects the reality that the Church sees itself as a sanctuary, that is, a “sacred space” where one finds protection, security, support, guidance, and the presence of God. Thus the entire church community must live in a way that is consistent with that covenant by fostering environments that not only are safe, but also are healthy. The Circle of Grace: Safe Environment Program of the Diocese of Baker strives to empower parishes, schools, families, and individuals to create and foster safe and healthy environments for children and youth in all aspects of their lives. We strive to achieve this through preventive measures, as well as educational strategies. Prevention of abuse and neglect of our children and youth is foundational to the Safe Environment Program and constitutes its initial focus. As the program develops, safe and healthy environment training also will include but not be limited to such strategies as education and training in effective parenting, conflict resolution, internet and computer safety, the prevention of harassment, bullying, or violence in any form, healthy and best practices for injury prevention, and attention to safety in the event of emergency or disaster. Training, support, and resources will be directed to: All church personnel, including lay and religious employees and volunteers, priests and deacons, by supporting them in ministering to their people through implementing and participating in comprehensive safe environment programs. Children and youth themselves, by supporting them in their effort to navigate their way through the confusing and often harmful aspects of the world by developing the necessary knowledge, integrity and self-mastery they need to live a mature and active faith. Parents, as the leaders of the “domestic church,” are called to provide the primary safe and formative environment for their children, by supporting the vocation of parenthood and the marital bond, so as to improve the nurturing and formation of their children, who are a gift and who call their parents together in love. All Persons who, out of generosity and care, seek to better their own local environments for the safety and health of children and youth. Everything we do as church must reflect our commitment to respect life in all situations by providing a secure sacred space that safeguards and promotes human dignity, by fostering the development of each individual, and by creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all who come to us seeking an experience of the holy presence of God. CHILD ABUSE LAWS St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School abides by the Child Abuse laws of the State of Oregon. This law mandates that all cases of suspected abuse and/or neglect be reported to Child Protective Services. Policy to comply with Senate Bill 197 Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School operates with the understanding that every human being has a right to pursue knowledge corresponding with his/her dignity and God-given ability, regardless of background or sex in a safe, supportive learning environment. In the early years, education is often of the utmost importance because through education and guidance the children of today become the Catholic citizens of tomorrow. To this end, Saint Francis School administrators, staff, teachers, volunteers, parents and students find any harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying, teen dating violence, gender harassment or abusive behaviors unacceptable and prohibited. The prohibition against abusive behaviors includes anyone who is: on or immediately adjacent to school grounds or school or district property, at any school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program, off school or district property, if a student or staff member acts toward the person in a manner that creates a hostile environment for the person while at school or a school-sponsored or district-sponsored activity or program. “Cyberbullying” means the use of any electronic communication device to harass, intimidate, or bully. “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any act that: Substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities or performance; Takes place on or immediately adjacent to school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided or parent transportation or at any official school bus stop; “Interfere” means to interpose in a manner that would reasonably be expected to hinder or impede a person in the petitioner’s situation. Has the effect of:Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property; Knowingly placing a student in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; orcreating a hostile educational environment, including interfering with the psychological well-being of a student; and may be based on, but not be limited to, the protected class status of a person. “Protected class” means a group of persons distinguished, or perceived to be distinguished, by race, color, religion, sex, gender orientation, national origin, marital status, familial status, source of income or disability. (ORS 339.351 to 339.364) Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic school will not tolerate: Sexual harassment of students by staff members or other students. Sexual harassment of staff members by students or other staff members. Sexual Harassment is defined as... A demand or request for sexual favors in exchange for benefits, Unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that is physical, verbal or nonverbal and that creates an intimidating, offensive or hostile environment, Assault when sexual contact occurs without a person’s consent because the person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, is unconscious or is pressured through physical force, coercion or explicit or implied threats. Specific examples of sexual harassment include but are not limited to the following: • Making unsolicited sexual advances and propositions • Using sexually degrading words to describe an individual or an individual’sbody • Displaying sexually suggestive objects or pictures • Telling inappropriate or sexually related jokes • Making reprisals, threats of reprisals, or implied threats of reprisals following a negative response to sexual advances • Offering employment benefits such as promotions, favorable performance evaluations, preferred duties or shifts, recommendations, reclassifications, etc., in exchange for sexual favors • Persistent and unwelcome flirting, kissing, massaging, leering, or intimate touching Specific examples of children’s harassment include but are not limited to the following:Poking, Tripping, moving chairs, throwing food, Name calling, insulting, Using degrading words to describe an individual or an individual’s body Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, drawings, Passing Intimidating notes,Excessive emails,Inappropriate emails “Cyberbullying” means the use of any electronic communication device to harass, intimidate, or bully. “Teen dating violence” means: A pattern of behavior in which a person uses or threatens to use physical, mental or emotional abuse to control another person who is in a dating relationship with the person, where one or both persons are 13 to 19 years of age; or behavior by which a person uses or threatens to use sexual violence against another person who is in a dating relationship with the person, where one or both persons are 13 to 19 years of age. Behavior Code: All students, teachers, and members of the community of Saint Francis of Assisi School are expected to treat all other persons with whom theycome into contact with respect, safeguarding their dignity as children of God.All employees of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School are mandatory reporters. Nothing in this policy precludes or prohibits them from their duty to contact the Department of Human Services if they suspect child abuse. A mandatory reporter’s failure to report bullying, teen dating violence, sexual-harrassment, harassment, or abuse can lead to reprimand, removal from your position, loss of license, court imposed fines and/or imprisonment. When a staff member becomes aware of behavior that may violate the policy, the staff member shall report to the principal, superintendent, or pastor so that the official and the staff member may coordinate efforts to take any action necessary to ensure the student is protected, and to promote a non-hostile learning environment, including: Providing resources for support measures to the student; and taking any actions that are necessary to remove potential future impact on the student, but that are not retaliatory against the student or the staff member who reported to the principal, superintendent, or pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School. Action Steps for the report of abuse:Anyone can create an abuse report: Please fill out the Red Flag Warning Reporting sheet available on the school’s website, available in FACTS: family documents, or from the school office. A small child can be assisted to fill out the report with the help of a trusted adult. Reports can be made anonymously or verbally. *False reporting can be prosecuted.
Step 1: The principal, superintendent, or pastor will write a notice of the complaint and the initiation of the investigation to the complainants parent and any other person needed for participation in the investigation within 24 hours. The investigation will begin within 5 days. The principal will coordinate with local education authorities for services to the affected child, children, or employee. A written notice will be sent to the concerned parties at the completion of the investigation noting the steps to be taken to remedy the situation and create a safe and supportive learning environment for the complainant. Step 2 The principal will act to protect the complainant from the offender during and after the investigation, support the complainant’s learning, and restore the educational atmosphere. Consequences for the offender are possible but not limited to1. Removal from the classroom to office2. Loss of extra-curricular privileges3. In school suspension4. Suspension5. Expulsion6. Visit from Public school officials/counselor7. The requirement of counseling8. Acts of retaliation are grounds for expulsion Step 3 The principal shall contact the families involved in writing to explain their right to a hearing, to counsel, and to supportive services offered through the public schools. If the matter is not resolved within ten days families may appeal to the superintendent. The complainant’s right to privacy shall be safeguarded but complete privacy is not a guarantee. Step 4 If the complainant is not satisfied with the superintendents answer they may Appeal to the Pastor. The pastor has 20 days to investigate and respond. He may conduct hearings, allowing both sides to tell their story separately. Step 5 If a complainant is still unsatisfied the family may appeal to the Bishop who will have final say on the issue. Civil and criminal remedies that are not provided by the school or district may be available to the student, student’s parents, staff member, person or person’s parents through the legal system and that those remedies may be subject to statutes of limitation. The policy can be found in the staff handbook, parent and student handbook, the athletic handbook, the online handbooks, in FACTS Family Documents and in the school office.
VOLUNTEER PLEDGE I pledge to volunteer my time and talents in service to the children of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. I will uphold the expectations of the role of volunteer by observing guidelines outlined in the Volunteer Handbook and by being committed to my duties. I promise to respect the confidentiality of the students, faculty and staff. I have read and understand St. Francis of Assisi Catholic mission statement and will follow the rules, policies and procedures outlined in the Volunteer Handbook to the best of my ability.
___________________________________ ____________________Volunteer Signature Date