Volunteer Handbook
Mr. Mark A. Bounds Head of School Board of Directors Mrs. Joan Hoffman, Chair Dr. Kevin Lu, Co-Vice Chair Dr, Mieke Perez, Co-Vice Chair Mr. Thomas Queen, Secretary Mrs. Emmy Zhang, Treasurer Mrs. Lisa Cole, Officer-at-Large Mr. Alan Buck Mrs. Lora Prill Dr. Sali Li
1401 LEAPHART STREET, WEST COLUMBIA, SC 29169 | 1340 KNOX ABBOTT DRIVE, CAYCE, SC 29033 803-926-0520 PHONE / 803-926-0524 FAX 803-739-4992 PHONE / 803-739-4977 FAX
Volunteer Handbook
August 2017
Volunteers are very important to the children, teachers, and administration at East Point Academy. We love our volunteers and want all parents to feel welcome and appreciated in our school. We also need to enforce proper procedures to ensure the safety of our students, staff, and volunteers.
Some of the Ways You Can Help... * Assist in the Library/Media Center * Chaperone field trips, dances, etc. * Help children by reviewing skills, concepts taught, and reading program * Assist teachers through the homeroom parent program * Teach a craft or hobby, talk about your occupation, share cultural and ethnic background and experiences * Help with clerical needs in the school office * Assist in the lunchroom * Complete projects at home for school use
EPA Volunteer Pledge We recognize the vital role that volunteers play in the EPA community. Your generosity is an important component to helping us accomplish our mission and we value the sacrifices that you make on behalf of East Point Academy. We are grateful for our volunteers’ time and gifts and strive to utilize our volunteers according to their individual skills and talents. We are dedicated to creating an environment in which our volunteers feel welcomed and appreciated. Your thoughts and ideas are acknowledged as an integral part of building a strong volunteer infrastructure. We appreciate the time you spend as a volunteer. We know that your time is valuable and are thankful that you have chosen to share it with us. You truly do make a difference in the lives of the EPA students, faculty and community as a whole.
To learn about the many volunteer opportunities available at EPA, contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Amy Roper at aroper@eastpointsc.org.
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Volunteer Handbook
August 2017
Volunteer Procedures Volunteering in a school is an experience and a privilege for both the school and the volunteer. It is designed to promote and maintain a supportive relationship for the students, teachers and school staff. Volunteers that will be interacting with students one-on-one or in small groups will require a SLED background check. Volunteers that will be assisting in a supervised role such as in classroom parties, lunchroom duties, or helping in the front office, will have a tier 1 Raptor background check performed free of charge at the front office of the school. Please help keep our program to run smoothly by following these guidelines: * Sign in at the office with your state issued photo ID when you arrive at school each time you volunteer. * Wear your name tag at all times and go directly to your intended location. If you have multiple destinations in one trip you must return to the front office and sign in for the new destination. * Sign out at the office when you leave and return your name tag. In an emergency we must be able to locate and account for every person on our campus. It is imperative that volunteers sign in for, and report directly to, their intended destination. As a volunteer you must... * Respect confidences of student and school personnel. Please be mindful to not take or share pictures or name references of other children in any venue including social media sites. * Follow the guidelines established by the school including dress code, hours of work, adult behavior, values and all regulations, rules and policies stated for school employees and volunteers. * Use reasonable judgment in making decisions that are imminent, then as soon as possible, consult with school staff. * Be considerate, respect official positions and work as a member of the team with the staff and students. Realize that you do not have instructional, evaluation, decision-making or teaching responsibilities for students, but are expected to enrich and extend learning opportunities for students and promote educational excellence for the school system. Volunteer FAQ Q: Are all volunteers required to have a background check? A: Yes. A criminal background check shall be performed for each volunteer who has regular and frequent contact with students; unsupervised or one-on-one contact with students; or serves in a supervisory role. Volunteers serving in a supervised role such as homeroom parent or office support must have a tier 1 Raptor background check through the school office.
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Volunteer Handbook
August 2017
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: If I volunteer through the PTO or SIC, do I need to complete a volunteer application and background check? A: Yes. Any volunteer at EPA, even those through the PTO, SIC or other onganizations are subject to the same rules as those volunteering directly through the school. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: If I am volunteering at an event that is not held during the school day, do I need to complete the volunteer application? A: Yes. We need a record of all volunteers having contact with students. We also want to know of your support! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: If I volunteer to read to a child, do I need a criminal background check? A: Yes. This is considered a one on one activity. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: If I am serving as a chaperone for a field trip, do I need a background check? A: Yes. Chaperones on field trips who are also transporting children will also be required to provide a valid driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: Where can I get a copy of the volunteer application and paperwork? A: The volunteer application is available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelmCmcqcmh4O2AcLOE0LCOwSo2zM13BAAAD1DMEUGpS9tEA/viewform?usp=sf_link. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Q: To volunteer, do I need a picture ID? A: Yes, you need a state issued picture ID. We use state issued ID's to run tier 1 background check through RAPTOR.
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Volunteer Handbook
August 2017
Keeping our students safe is of utmost important. Our teachers and staff are trained to understand the signs of bullying as well as abuse and neglect. School staff are state mandated reporters which means under requirement of law we must report any reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect. We also educate our students on what bullying looks like and how to handle and report bullying behaviors. East Point Academy is a wonderful community where we accept and care for each other while embracing our differences. We encourage all of our parents to talk to your student about bullying. As a volunteer we ask that while interacting with students that you please immediately report any instances of bullying or suspicions of abuse or neglect to our guidance counselor, teacher, or administration. On the next page, you will find a guide on what behaviors to look for.
Important Rules! Volunteers… will leave discipline to the teacher. will maintain professional level contact with students (no outside contact). will not administer any medication to children. will abide by the schools no smoking, no weapons, no drug use or possession on school property or during school events policy. will respect the confidences of students and staff; any information acquired or observed while volunteering must remain confidential. will maintain a positive character and encourage our st.udents to do and be their best
Bullying Behaviors to Report to School Staff • • • • •
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Pushing Shoving Spitting Kicking Hitting
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Threatening with weapon Defacing property Stealing
Volunteer Handbook
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Mocking Name-Calling Giving Dirty Looks Teasing Sending offensive emails or text messages Circulating degrading images online
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Gossiping Embarrassing Setting another student up to look foolish Spreading rumors Exclusion from group
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August 2017
Intimidating telephone calls Racist, sexist, or homophobic taunting Daring another to do something dangerous Verbal threats against property Verbal threats of bodily harm Coercion Extortion Inciting hatred Racist, sexual, or homophobic alienation Setting up another student to take blame Public humiliation Malicious rumor spreading verbally or on social media
Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Abuse and Neglect Physical Indicators
Physical Abuse
Behavioral Indicators
Unexplained bruises and welts: On face, lips, mouth On torso, back, buttocks, thighs In various stages of healing Cluster, forming regular patterns Reflecting shape of article used to inflict (electric cord, belt buckle) On several different surface areas Regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation Unexplained burns: Cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back or buttocks Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like doughnut shaped on Patterned like electric burner, iron, etc. Rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso Unexplained fractures: To skull, nose, facial structure In various stages of healing Multiple or spiral fractures Unexplained laceration or abrasions: To mouth, lips, gums, eyes To external genitalia
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Wary of adult contacts Apprehensive when other children cry Behavioral extremes: – Aggressiveness –Withdrawal Frightened of parents Afraid to go home Reports injury by parents
Volunteer Handbook
August 2017
Physical Neglect
Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities or long periods Constant fatigue or listlessness Unattended physical problems or medical needs Abandonment
Begging, stealing food Extended stays at school (early arrival and late departure) Constantly falling asleep in class Alcohol or drug abuse Delinquency (e.g. thefts) States there is no caregiver
Sexual Abuse
Difficulty in walking or sitting Torn, stained or bloody underclothing Pain or itching in genital area Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas Venereal disease, especially in pre-teens Pregnancy
Unwilling to change for gym or participate in PE Withdrawn, fantasy or infantile behavior Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge Poor peer relationships Delinquent or run away Reports sexual assault by caregiver
Emotional Abuse
Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.) Conduct disorders (antisocial, destructible, etc.) Neurotic traits (sleep disorders, speech disorders, inhibition of play) Psychoneurotic reactions (hysteria, obsession, compulsion, phobias, hypochondria)
Behavior extremes: •Compliant, passive •Aggressive, demanding Overly adoptive behavior: •Inappropriately adult •Inappropriately infant Attempted suicide
We thank you for sharing your time and talent with us and look forward to working with you throughout the school year.
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