Volunteer Training
We are so grateful that you are willing to share your time and talents with Great Hearts Invictus.
Core Principles
We
Affirm the goodness and dignity of everyone.
Avoid gossip and negativity.
Face challenges with confidence and hope.
Work from a place of relentless goodwill.
To Become a Volunteer
https://www.greatheartsamerica.org/tx-academies/
Supervision and Right of Refusal
Volunteers always work under the direct supervision of the professional staff at Great Hearts Invictus.
Supervision and Right of Refusal
Great Hearts Invictus is responsible for the education, safety and well-being of each scholar and staff member.
For this reason, please understand that a staff member may request the reassignment of a volunteer whose actions may not be in the best interest of the school.
What is Confidentiality?
It is the protection of personal information.
�Volunteers are important in helping the school to operate efficiently. It is important to know your role in protecting student, staff and family information while helping out at GHINV.
Confidential Information Includes…
Discussions about a scholar to include but not limited to his/her personal information, behavior, grades, etc..
A scholar’s record ( any accommodations or assignment to 504, SPED, interventions, etc..)
Staff members’ information (personal or professional)
Personally Identifiable data includes…
Name of a scholar, parent, guardian or other family members
Address, phone number or any contact information of a scholar
Personal ID number (SSN or student number)
Personal Characteristics or other information to identify a scholar (wears glasses, has brown hair, is a SPED student, etc.)
Additional Data Includes…
Scholars’ academic information (grades, scores, transcripts)
Scholars’ discipline and/or behavior (detentions or suspensions)
Scholars’ health (trips to the nurse or medications)
Scholar’s family information (parents’ marital status and/or employment)
This includes…
Any staff members’ discussions and comments about scholars
Any other information you hear or see about individual scholars or professional staff.
FERPA Requires…
Teachers, staff, and volunteers are bound by a code of ethics to keep confidential matters within the school.
DO NOT discuss information about a student with anyone other than his/her teacher, staff, or school administration that have a vested interest with the student.
Our Legal Responsibility: Confidentiality
The implications of FERPA and HIPPA for educators is that…
scholars’ information be kept out of general discussion (lunchroom, grocery stores, etc.)
scholars’ records should never be provided to anyone without an educational interest or need
information can be compromised orally, electronically, and in writing
Confidentiality in a nutshell
During your volunteer time at GHINV or at a school function, you may see or hear information about a
teacher, scholar or a scholar’s family.
As a GHINV volunteer, you agree to keep all scholar, family, and/or teacher information
completely confidential.
Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Harassment and Discrimination Policy
Harassment and discrimination is always
prohibited on school property and off
school grounds during school-sponsored
activities.
This prohibition also applies to visitors
to the school who may encounter
employees and students.
When you Witness a Problem
Never assume that a problem has been reported by someone else. (If you see water on the floor, report it to the front desk.)
Volunteers are expected to act as reasonably prudent persons would in the same circumstances
SCENARIO #1
While shopping at HEB, an adult in the community says…
“My child will be in third grade next year and I’ve heard Mrs. Brown is a bad teacher. You volunteer at that school, what do you know about her?”
SCENARIO #1 ANSWER:
No information may be released to the community member concerning this teacher.
As a volunteer, an appropriate response would be…
“I can’t speak to that. However, you can make an appointment with the Headmaster to talk through your concerns.”
SCENARIO #2
You are a regular volunteer in the office and a parent says to you…
“I came to pick up my child at school today and there was a police car outside. What happened?”
SCENARIO #2 ANSWER:
No information may be released to the parent concerning this situation.
As a volunteer, an appropriate response would be…
“I can’t talk about anything that happened at the school, but I know the school will send out an email if we need to know what happened.”
SCENARIO #3
Parent: “My son says he’s being picked on by a boy in Miss Wiggle’s math class. Do you know this kid?
Volunteer: “Yes, I know him. He has red hair and glasses.”
Has the volunteer broken confidentiality?
SCENARIO #3 ANSWER:
Yes, the volunteer gave personally identifiable information concerning a scholar.
An appropriate response would be…
“I’m sorry to hear that. Have your reached out to Miss Wiggle yet? Discussing it with her directly would be the best thing to do.”
General Guidelines
Registration and Name Badges
When Volunteering, please sign-in at the front desk.
All volunteers must get a name tag from the Receptionist.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Dress appropriately for the school setting. (modest clothing, no pop culture, no athletic wear)
Wear your spiritwear shirts
Become familiar with behavior expectations. (hallway hands, sitting scholarly)
Be fully present while on campus.
GENERAL GUIDELINES continued…
Review emergency / crisis procedures. (fire, tornado, earthquake, lock down, etc.)
Do not make requests of the custodial staff. If there’s a need, notify the front desk.
Classrooms are sacred spaces.
GENERAL GUIDELINES continued…
Help scholars follow rules and routines by modeling them.
(Don’t talk to scholars during silent eating time, speak quietly in the hallways)
Remain in the area to which you have been assigned.
(Lunchroom volunteers should not be near classrooms or the playground)
Only use Faculty restrooms
GENERAL GUIDELINES continued
If you have a complaint / suggestion that is not an emergency, inform the committee lead / any member of the administration after your volunteer time.
Avoid disciplining scholars (Alert a nearby teacher or apprentice teacher)
Be a positive representative of GHINV to our community
(When you see a concern bring it to the administration that day, not to the FB pages)
GENERAL GUIDELINES continued…
Please do not approach your scholar’s teacher to get updates on his/her progress.
Do not take any photos or videos on campus except with the approval of the administration.
Please refrain from physical contact of scholars that aren’t your own to respect their personal space and safety. A high five or pinky wave is encouraged.
Be a positive role model to our scholars, keep an appropriate relationship with them, other staff members and other parent volunteers.
Volunteer Termination
Failure to comply with any of the guidelines in this volunteer presentation, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) , Confidentiality Agreement and Conflict of Interest Agreement will result in volunteer termination for up to 1 year.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed the volunteer training required for Great Hearts-Texas!
CHECKLIST and NEXT STEPS
Fill out the Background Check
Print, read, and sign the FERPA Acknowledgement Form
Email the FERPA to volunteerinvictus@gmail.com
Take quiz
Read the PSO Newsletter for volunteer opportunities.
Thank you for your willingness to serve
GHINV and your scholars.