Volunteer Orientation

Agenda

August 26th, 2025

1. Welcome and Introduction
2. Volunteer Requirements
3. Being an Effective Volunteer – Volunteer Guidelines
4. Volunteer Opportunities
1. On Campus Support
2. Off Campus Support
5. Volunteer Sign-Ups and Interest Form
6. Summary and Questions

​

Presenter today: Kellie Mowll

Instructional & Data Coach

University Liaison

Volunteer Requirements

1. Attend a Volunteer Orientation- today counts as a volunteer orientation

​

• Submit Negative TB Verification (every four years) and a copy of your ID to the main office-link to upload documents
• Office Leads will run your name through Megan’s Law Screening Website.
• An email will be sent by office managers once you have been fully approved to volunteer.
• Turn in your signed Volunteer Contract into the main office.
• Get a printed volunteer badge from the office manager on each campus

​

*ALWAYS sign in and out of the office each time

* Be identifiable on campus as a safe adult to students - wear a volunteer badge or sticker at all times (obtained from the office) when volunteering at the school

Being an Effective Volunteer

• Schedule volunteer times in advance with WISH staff.
• Enter the classroom quietly and wait for the teacher to have a moment to speak with you
• Set a Good Example - Familiarize yourself with school rules, expectations and procedures. These can be found in our family handbooks on the WISH Website.
• Be prompt and professional
• Be committed – find a replacement if you are unable to volunteer at your scheduled time
• Stay home if you are sick and make child-care arrangements for your pre-school children when you come to volunteer. You are not able to bring your children with you to volunteer.

Being an Effective Volunteer

• Take breaks when you need to- we want your experience to bring you joy!
• Working with children can be joyful, exciting, inspiring and at times stressful, please recognize when you may need to step out of the classroom and get a drink of water.
• Use Positive Behavior Support
• Notice successes, mention achievements
• Avoid criticism (don’t erase a child’s work)
• Support students in problem solving
• Use “I” statements (e.g. I noticed, I observed)
• Use humor and enthusiasm, avoid sarcasm as a form of humor
• Students should be with adults at all times.No student should be unsupervised and volunteers should not be left alone with a student

​

Being an Effective Volunteer (cont.)

• Confidentiality and privacy is key
• A safe learning environment is one where children can take risks without being judged- use empathy to understand the child’s learning journey.
• Ensure confidentiality. Do not converse about how other people’s children performed academically or behaved in the classroom. All families have a right to privacy and respect.
• If you have questions or concerns about how your child is doing in the classroom please ask the teachers.
• Please don’t take pictures or film students while in classrooms or on campus, unless you have been granted permission (yearbook, class photographer).
• Any conflict or discipline issues need to be brought up with the teacher or administration. Please do so on the same day.
• Any concerns, questions or issues that arise while volunteering contact the WCA Leadership, Room Parents, or Grade Level Liaisons.

Volunteer Opportunities

• On Campus- WCA, Garden (ES), Library(MS), In Class- Centers, Room Parents/ Grade level Leads, WISH Cafe (ES, MS), field trip chaperones(MS), Promotion/Culmination/Graduation Committee, Lunch Volunteers (ES), Tour Ambassadors(MS), 1:1 tutoring (MS/HS), Event set-up
• Off Campus- WCA, Room Parents/grade level Liaisons, Annual Giving, Silent Auction, Grant Writing, Sports and afterschool programs, Service Learning, Social Emotional Committee, Overnight Retreats, Field Trips, WISH Forward, student events, Prom, Dances

Volunteer Opportunities (MS)

Ms. Posey tposey@wishcharter.org

Lunch Volunteers (ES Only)

• Distribution of Hot/Cold Meals
• Provide Yard Support and Supervision
• Yard supervision must be scheduled with an administrator as a volunteer position as needed by the staff
• Please Sign Up Here

Volunteers (ES Only)

• Please express interest (interest form )for the roles you want
• We will do our best to have each person in one role to start and and if there are more spots are available/open that we need filled we will reach out to families and try to fill them with people that expressed interest.

Classroom Observations

• Parent or outside support provider can fill out request to observe and turn into administrator
• Must be scheduled with an administrator ahead of time
• 20 minute observation accompanied by an administrator

Volunteer Sign-Ups

• Volunteer Interest Form on Website (next slide)
• Attend Room Parent Orientation , Bloomz, Parent Liaison
• Online Sign-Ups found in WISH WISE Weekly, Facebook, and on the WISH website.
• Questions?

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWwJ0gaWTccBJt4Jeg7FEraEjmzd_T3Ln7kBiBQ9R7q85t-g/viewform

Volunteer Process

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWwJ0gaWTccBJt4Jeg7FEraEjmzd_T3Ln7kBiBQ9R7q85t-g/viewform

Step 1: Tell us how you want to (overall for whole community volunteer opportunities) volunteer here ES interest form

Step 2: Attend an Orientation

Step 3: Fill out the volunteer paperwork, upload your documents here

Step 4: sign the volunteer contract and bring it into the main office for a 25/26 clearance sticker!

THANK YOU!

​

Your presence is greatly appreciated and we look forward to learning from you and working with you!