Carbon Valley Academy K-8

Volunteer Bootcamp

CVA strives to foster an inclusive community that focuses on individual empowerment through intentional learning opportunities that inspire academic and character development.

CVA strives to foster an inclusive community that focuses on individual empowerment through intentional learning opportunities that inspire academic and character development.

Introduction

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As partners in the important process of helping children grow and learn, educators, parents and community members form a powerful team. Carbon Valley Academy K-8 volunteers serve as positive adult role models for our students and play a major role in making our school a success. We want to share a little about what we are striving for and how you can help!

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CVA Values:

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Community: Carbon Valley Academy K-8 believes in COMMUNITY and creating open, honest, collaborative relationships within that COMMUNITY is what will empower us to learn and grow TOGETHER. CVA K-8 believes that we are better, stronger and smarter because we have each other in our lives. Healthy competition is what runs through our blood at CVA K-8.

CVA Values:

Character: Character education is a cornerstone of CVA K-8 and a value that we explicitly teach and celebrate each month. Our goal is to foster the development of ethical and responsible individuals by teaching them having strong values. It teaches the students the values of caring about other people, honesty, responsibility, and other important traits that make for an upstanding citizen.

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CVA K-8 believes that parents want their children to grow up into well-mannered individuals with a strong set of values because success in life does not solely rely on academics.

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Respect, Responsibility, Patriotism,Compassion, Work Ethic, Friendship, Honesty, Perseverance, Courage

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Core Beliefs:

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Empowerment: Requesting feedback and input, growing and developing thinking, mentoring and supporting each other are all pieces of the EMPOWERMENT belief that we live under at CVA K-8. We believe that allowing all humans to think on their own while collaborating with those around them will create a solid base for thinking and learning. When our teachers and staff take the reins and model/teach students how to collaborate with their teammates, when we offer multitudes of opportunities for student voice and when we ask for input from the COMMUNITY, this creates learning opportunities that will enable students to formulate how to balance working with others while making strides in their own lives.

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Core Beliefs:

Positive Intent: CVA K-8 believes in positive intent. When we create a positive atmosphere, this allows for learning to jump to a new level. We work to create connections rather than make assumptions. Finding common ground with others allows for grace and compassion rather than drama and conflict. We seek to learn more about the situation before we jump into a response. This SPACE offers us the time needed to “find our words” and come to a solution in a positive way. This belief allows everyone within the CVA K-8 COMMUNITY to THRIVE!

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Volunteering/Chaperoning at CVA K-8:

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We ask that you find a volunteer position in which you can share your skills and knowledge. You may wish to work directly with our students or assist teachers by running small groups, organizing, collecting data or giving a presentation in the classroom. You may want to attend a field trip or come to a holiday party.

We encourage EVERYONE to volunteer/chaperone and love it when we see grandparents, aunts, older siblings, etc.

Volunteer/Chaperoning Procedures

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• Check into the front desk each time you enter the building and sign in to get your volunteer badge. We use the Raptor system that will track the volunteers name and state ID and compare with national database to track for registered sex offenders or any type of restraining/court orders. This helps ensure our students are safe and protected.
• You will be REQUIRED to always wear a name tag for identification while in the building; this will be provided at the time of check-in with the front desk.
• Please observe all school policies.
• Exhibit professionalism and high moral standards at all times while volunteering. (no smoking, swearing, strong scary word choices, etc.)
• Remember that you are a role model for all CVA K-8 students!

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● Share any problems or concerns you have about your assignment with the school volunteer coordinator or Principal.

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Volunteer /Chaperoning Norms:

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• CVA believes in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) as a way to promote behavior within our school. Using the PBIS method, we request that you help remind students of what behavior is expected and and allowed. Carbon cash is our reward system to promote positive behavior we see within the school. Please bring any issues up with the teachers so they can move forward with discipline. Please do not worry about calling out or disciplining a student; that role belongs to staff/teachers. If you are ever unsure about the safety or specific behavior, please make a CVA staff member aware immediately and they will take it from there.

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ESSENTIAL NORM while volunteering/chaperoning:

• Confidentiality is ESSENTIAL!! Please be very aware of the comments you make about student behavior, grades, etc., while at the school, outside school grounds, and in other public or private conversations with those outside CVA staff. Ears are always open and others may be within earshot of your conversation so please be respectful in your conversations with other volunteers or staff members. Basic respect rule: Only say what you would say if the child or parent were in the room with you.

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Tips for Working with Students and Teachers

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● Be honest in your approach and attitude. Students will trust and respect you when they know you are sincere.

● Be patient when working with students. Give yourself time to get established and find your comfort zone.

● Be fair. Avoid comparisons between students, teachers or schools.

● Understand, accept and support all students and teachers.

● Listen carefully to what the student has to say. By your words and actions, you are showing you are interested in that student as a person.

● Be consistent. Apply the same rules every day to every student.

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Tips for Working with Students and Teachers

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● Be considerate. Treat people as you would expect to be treated.

● A student’s name is very important. Do your best to remember each student’s name and use it!

● Build the student’s self-esteem. Praise your students HONESTLY and FREQUENTLY. Remember that attentiveness and effort is just as important as results.

● Remember confidentiality! Keep the progress/behavior of each student between you and the teacher.

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SAFETY at CVA K-8

• Please be aware of the safety protocols with CVA. Please review the map of the school on the wall and as for the teacher’s “Go-Kit” and review the material within that to know what to expect during an emergency. Be sure to discuss with your classroom teacher what your role will be during safety drills and emergencies.

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Classroom/school volunteering:

● You must have a completed our Volunteer Google form on file at the school. (on website under Parents tab)

● Pre-arranged volunteering in the classrooms is required. Reach out to each specific teacher/staff member for that information.

Please be aware that unexpected volunteering is not encouraged – please make arrangements with the teacher or volunteer coordinator, to confirm the opportunity to volunteer time.

Classroom Volunteering

The following are specific expectations for volunteer involvement in the classroom:

● Coordinate with each teacher before volunteering to ensure that it is at an appropriate time.

● Teachers are the final authority in the classroom.

● Teachers have their own teaching style which is to be respected by all room volunteers.

● Teachers will provide meaningful opportunities for volunteers to participate in the classroom.

● Volunteers must be under the direct supervision of certified staff at all times.

● Volunteers must check in with the front office upon entering the school. *Please ensure to have your driver’s license.

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Classroom volunteering

• Volunteering has a start and end time at CVA. Please be sure to arrive on time and plan on heading out when your designated time is up. Teachers create schedules within their classrooms for volunteers so that the classroom runs smoothly and having too many adults in the room at the same time can be distracting to thinking and learning. If you are not ready to leave, either schedule to have lunch with your child or stop by the front office and see if there is any additional help needed within the school. Please allow your child to develop a positive relationship with their teachers and other staff members without you.

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What if…?

It is unacceptable for a volunteer to confront a teacher about an issue in the classroom or any other part of the school when students are present. Any pressing issue should be addressed first with the teacher after class. If the issue is not resolved to the volunteer’s satisfaction, then s/he should bring the matter to the attention of the school’s Principal. Finally, if the matter is not resolved by meeting with the Principal, the volunteer can address the CVA Board of Directors during the Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items part of a scheduled Board meeting. (4th Thursday of every month, 6:00pm at CVA)

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In order to chaperone or volunteer we are requesting:

Complete the Volunteer Google form located under the Parents tab on our website

Read through this slide show

Reach out with any questions/concerns/solutions

Print/or take a pic on your phone of the icon that CVA K-8 uses to represent the value of COMMUNITY at the school. It is located throughout this slide show.

Bring the icon to the front desk on the first day of chaperoning or volunteering and you are GOOD TO GO!