Catholic education is the responsibility of all members of the school community. Volunteers play an important role in our school and these guidelines have been prepared so that your volunteer experience can be most effective and most advantageous to all children. Volunteers must complete a background check. This is for the safety and security of children.

Volunteers must be scheduled ahead of time. It is important that the teacher expects you are coming so that he/she can be prepared to use your help in an effective way. Casually dropping is not conducive to establishing an academic working environment for students.

• If you cannot make arrangements for childcare for your pre-school child, you may do assigned work in the Office so as to prevent distractions for the students in the classroom.
• You may be asked to work in the Volunteer Room, in the classroom, on special projects or directly with students.
• If there is a substitute teacher the day you are scheduled to help in the classroom, you need to ask the substitute if you should stay or come back another day to volunteer.
• When volunteering in the classroom, please help your own child understand that you are there to assist the teacher, not to give special privileges or extra attention to him/her. Be sure your child understands this prior to your volunteer day. You are a helper for the teacher, not a personal tutor or guide for your own child.
• In the course of your volunteer work, you may learn confidential information about students or staff. You are expected to keep information confidential in any setting inside or outside the school, just as you would wish your own confidences to be respected.
• Every teacher will conduct his/her classroom differently. In preparation for your volunteering in the classroom, ask the teacher to make it clear to you what specific ways you can be most helpful.
• Whether we realize it or not, when we are in the presence of children, we are always teaching. Please help us maintain a good example for a working environment. When you are a volunteer in a classroom, keep distracting conversations to a minimum, work quietly with the students and refrain from conferencing with the teacher.
• The parent/guardian volunteer should be aware of the discipline guidelines and classroom rules. It is fully the teacher’s responsibility to make discipline decisions. If behavior problems arise during your volunteer time, refer them to the teacher promptly.
• Comparing and/or judging children (your own or others) is not a helpful or valid thing to do. Please refrain from labeling or comparing children as this can be very destructive and often creates a more serious problem.
• Always do your best to affirm the children. Be sure to encourage and recognize positive behavior. Show real interest with eye contact and brief positive comments. Allow student to solve problems on their own as much as possible.
• Teachers should not be asked to discuss any student’s learning needs, behavioral issues, or personal information; it is unchristian, unprofessional, and unethical to do so.
• Although at times the reason for what you see happening in the classroom might not be apparent to you or even make much sense, please trust that we are professionals who plan. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk directly with the teacher or Principal at an appropriate time.

Jesus was a perfect model volunteer, giving totally of Himself in service to others and asking for nothing in return. His reward was of an eternal nature. Time and effort given can help make our school the best learning environment for students. The staff of St. Mary School thanks you in advance for your support. May God bless you in many unexpected ways for you generosity to His children.