RPEMS Classroom Volunteering

2014-2015

Roland Park Elementary/Middle School5207 Roland AvenueBaltimore, MD 21210(410) 396-6420

City Schools Volunteers

Legal disclaimer:

As a volunteer your services to City Schools are provided strictly in a volunteer capacity without any expressed or implied promise of employment.

Mission StatementRoland Park, an urban elementary/middle school, empowers our diverse community of learners to achieve academic excellence. Teaching and learning at Roland Park provide a positive, engaging, and challenging environment for creative and critical thinking.

This Presentation

• Volunteers are critical to student success• Volunteers, PBIS, and the 3 R’s• Expectations of RPEMS Classroom Volunteers• BCPS Code of Conduct• Student Rights and Responsibilities• Parent and Guardian Rights and Responsibilities• Additional Rights of Volunteers• Next Steps for Volunteers

Volunteers are critical to student success

Volunteers help:• Support teachers• Support students academically – remedial

support and enrichment opportunities• Enhance the RPEMS experience• Support students emotionally and socially– Practice reasoning and problem solving skills– Encouraging PBIS and Modeling the 3Rs

Volunteers are critical to students – supporting teachers

Volunteers can be helpful to teachers in a number of ways:– Guest speakers/experts on specific units of study– One-on-one assistance for students– Small group facilitation– Grading– Additional coach classes– Working with students on their Science Fair or History Day projects– Photocopies– Lesson planning

Volunteers are critical to students - academically

• Tutoring (during school and after school) • Mentoring (during school and after school) • Afterschool Clubs/Sports• In-class support to teachers • One-on-one assistance for students• Small group facilitation• Additional coach classes• Working with students on their Science Fair or

History Day projects

Volunteers are critical to students – enhance RPEMS experience

• Library Volunteering • Writing Center Volunteering• My Word! Literary Festival –Coordinating

assemblies and visiting authors and illustrators• Science Fair or History Day Judges• Facilities improvement – gardening, mural

painting, etc.• Thinking about grant ideas and opportunities

Volunteers are critical to students – emotionally and socially by encouraging Positive Behavioral

Interventions and Supports (PBIS)It’s more than just blue tickets

(or gold or purple)

PBIS is a framework for helping the school define, teach, and acknowledge behavioral expectations.

It is:– a research based model of teaching and supporting positive behaviors to

meet the needs of ALL students. – common routines and uniform language around appropriate school

behaviors– consistent throughout the school

PBIS and The Three “R”s

• Every member of the RPEMS community (children, staff and volunteers) is expected to demonstrate positive behavior that is based on the three “R”s of PBIS.

The Three “R”s throughout the school

Respectful

• Speak kindly to and about others

• Actively listen• Follow adult directions• Ask permission to use things• Use appropriate language and

tone

Responsible

• Walk in all areas of the school building

• Keep hands, feet, and body to yourself

• Accept consequences• Respect school property• Report inappropriate of

destructive behaviorReady

• Give your best effort• Be on time• Follow proper dress code• Bring necessary materials• Know and follow BCPS code

of conduct

The Three “R”s in the classroom

Respectful

• Raise your hand to participate

• Use appropriate language and voice during group work

• Respect school property

Responsible

• Bring all necessary materials• Remain in assigned area• Complete and turn in all

class work and homework• Do your own work• Ask for help when you need

itReady

• Arrive on time• Remain on task• Give your best effort

Volunteers are critical to students – emotionally and socially by practicing reasoning and problem solving skills

When confronted with an issue, we want students to stand up for

themselves. They should not ignore problems and should never overreact.

A note about discipline…

RPEMS has no expectation that volunteers would discipline students. Students should respect volunteers. If you feel like your safety or the safety of other students is at risk, please get a member of the RPEMS staff or send another student to get a staff member.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers

• Confidentiality • Dependability • Communication • Support • Positive Attitude • Professionalism

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Confidentiality

You may have access to grades and records. You will know the children who are succeeding and you will know the children who are struggling. Discuss concerns with staff or the administration, NOT with other volunteers, parents or in the community.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Dependability

The teachers and staff have planned activities for you and your students. If something comes up, please be considerate of those depending on you. Please notify the teacher 48 hours in advance. Please arrive on time and ready to volunteer.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Communication

When you have questions or concerns about policy and procedures, ask the teacher or administration. Most problems can be solved with respect and honest communication.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Support

As a school volunteer, you will be in a support position. Your role is to support the classroom teacher and the administration of the building since they are legally and professionally responsible for the education of all students at the school. Please only perform the duties given by the teacher or administration.

Volunteering is not a time to roam the halls, visit your child’s classroom and/or attempt to conference with a teacher. We are happy to schedule any of those, but please don’t do it during volunteer time.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Attitude

Come to school with a positive attitude, one that will say to each student, “you are so special, I’m glad that I have the opportunity to work with you.” Please follow the teacher’s directions to the best of your ability.

RPEMS expectations of volunteers - Professionalism

Adults can be great role models. Please refrain from using mobile phones in the classroom. Please refrain from bringing younger siblings to the class. Please dress appropriately – revealing clothes or clothing with messages are not permitted.

We love that you would want to be in your own child’s classroom, but please realize that this may be an additional barrier to your student’s success. To the degree possible, please consider volunteering in a different class or a different grade.

Please sign in at the main office and wear a visitor’s badge while volunteering.

BCPS Code of Conduct – 6 PrinciplesThe Baltimore City Public Schools Code of Conduct 2012-13

Six principles that provide an important foundation to guide behavior. If the RPEMS community abide by these principles, we will contribute to a positive learning environment.

1. I respect others and myself. I am kind and courteous. I demonstrate positive verbal and nonverbal communication and positive behavior.

2. I am responsible for my behavior and its consequences.3. I come to school on time, focused and prepared to work.4. I demonstrate behaviors that promote a clean, safe and civil learning environment.5. I respect school property and the property of others.6. I present myself in an appropriate and orderly fashion at all times and in all

settings, and I demonstrate personal honor and integrity at all times.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESStudents have the right to:

1. Attend school and receive a free and appropriate public education2. Be taught in a safe learning environment3. Be treated courteously, fairly and respectfully by other students and

school staff4. Receive a written copy of district and school policies and procedures5. Bring complaints or concerns to the school principal or staff6. Request or challenge in writing an explanation of anything in their

education records7. Be told, orally and in writing, the reason(s) for any disciplinary

decisions8. Receive information about the procedures for appealing disciplinary

decisions9. Have a parent or guardian attend applicable disciplinary conferences

and hearings10. Have school staff or an administrator present when police are called,

and have a parent or guardian notified of the nature of the investigation and other details as appropriate, unless the situation involves child abuse or neglect

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESStudents have the responsibility to:

1. Attend school daily, be prepared for class and complete assignments to the best of their ability

2. Know and obey school rules and instructions given by the school principal and staff

3. Tell school staff about any dangerous behavior or activity that occurs on school grounds, or off school grounds if it may result in disruption to the educational setting

4. Bring only those materials to school that are allowed5. Behave respectfully toward everyone in the school

community6. Keep parents or guardians informed of school related

issues and give them any materials intended for parents or guardians and sent home with students by City Schools

PARENT AND GUARDIAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESParents and guardians have the right to:

1. Be actively involved in their children’s education2. Be treated courteously, fairly and respectfully by all school staff and principals3. Get information about the policies of the Board and procedures that relate to their

children’s education4. Get regular reports, written or oral, from school staff regarding their children’s academic

progress or behavior, including but not limited to report cards, behavior progress reports and conferences

5. Receive information and prompt notification of inappropriate or disruptive behaviors by their children and any disciplinary actions taken by principals or school staff

6. Receive information about due process procedures for disciplinary matters concerning their children, including information on conferences and appeals

7. Receive information from school staff about ways to improve their children’s academic or behavioral progress, including but not limited to counseling, tutoring, after-school programs, academic programs and mental health services within City Schools and the community

8. Receive information about services for students with disabilities and English language learners, when applicable

9. Receive communications through provided translators

PARENT AND GUARDIAN RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIESParents and guardians have the responsibility to:

1. Make sure their children attend school regularly and on time and, when children are absent, let schools know why

2. Tell school officials about any concerns or complaints in a respectful and timely manner

3. Work with principals and school staff to address any academic or behavioral problems their children may experience

4. Support City Schools by being a role model for their children, talking with their children about school and expected behavior

5. Read and become familiar with the policies of the Board, CEO administrative regulations and this Code of Conduct

6. Give updated contact information to City Schools and their children’s individual school

7. Give their children a space to complete their homework or allow participation in after-school programs that permit the completion of homework

8. Be respectful and courteous to staff, other parents, guardians and students while on school premises

Additional Rights of Volunteers

• To receive clear and specific directions from the teachers and staff

• To feel that you are an important part of the community and your help is recognized

• To receive constructive feedback on your volunteering• To have your skills, dignity, and individual needs

respected• To not be left in charge of an entire class• To expect to have fun

As a volunteer, you agree to:– Be dependable and arrive on time– Notify the designated school staff with reasonable notice about absences, tardiness and any other

problems that may prevent you from fulfilling your obligation– Sign in and out each time you visit the school– Not take disciplinary action against students– Respect the privacy of all students, staff and volunteers by keeping all information received

confidential (including but not limited to test results and home/family matters)– Never be under the influence of or in possession of alcohol or drugs while serving– Never carry weapons while serving– Be respectful of students’ learning abilities– Not use inappropriate language while volunteering– Never transport children without permission– Try really hard to avoid using electronic devices such as smart phones while working with students– Not engage in religious or political activity when volunteering– Never give medication to children– Not to photograph a student without express permission from the principal– Report unsafe conditions and notify appropriate school personnel of and suspected child abuse and/or

neglect– Communicate any concerns or questions to the teacher, principal or volunteer coordinator

Next steps for volunteers• Fingerprinting

– If you have been fingerprinted within the last year, please call CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) at 410-764-4501. Let them know when you were fingerprinted in the last year and ask for proof that you were fingerprinted. They will send/email/fax that information to you. You would then bring/send RPEMS a copy.

– If you have not been fingerprinted within the last year, go down to Central Office (200 East North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202) and get the fingerprinting done there. To be fingerprinted, you need a letter from Roland Park requesting your fingerprinting because we need you at the school. When you go to North Ave, please take that letter with you. They will not fingerprint you without it. When you are done getting fingerprinted, please bring proof of fingerprinting to the school. To get this letter, email Phillip at rpems.crc@gmail.com. Please include your full government name.

• Sign up through Classroom parent http://rpems.classroomparent.com/

• Come to school!