Sierra Nevada Academy Charter School

Parents

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Volunteer Opportunities

Family Volunteers

SNACS promotes a collaborative learning environment where parents are welcomed to volunteer in and out of the classroom in a meaningful way. SNACS relies heavily on volunteers and requests that each family volunteer 10 hours per month. Volunteers play an important role and contribute valuable time towards helping our small school community. We are grateful to our volunteers and want to ensure volunteerism is a pleasurable experience for everyone. There are several basic guidelines and procedures to help keep our volunteer program effective and efficient.

In order to protect the safety of the students, all persons who wish to volunteer in the classroom and/or around the students must complete a Volunteer Application (at least yearly) for a background check and submit a set of fingerprints. Those persons who hold other agency clearances related to fingerprints must still submit a set of fingerprints as SNACS is solely responsible for our volunteer fingerprints and may not accept other agency reports in lieu of current fingerprints. SNACS reserves the right to submit the fingerprints to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of obtaining a background check. Unless a background check is returned with any arrest/conviction information that contradicts the documentation provided in the Volunteer Application, volunteers may be allowed to volunteer in the classroom as long as they are not a distraction to the class or school environment.

All volunteers must be under the direct supervision of a staff member. They may not be alone with students or unsupervised on school grounds. All volunteers are permitted at the discretion of the school administrators. At any time school administrators have the right to refuse volunteerism if they deem it is in the best interest of the school. Volunteers are expected to behave in such a way that is conducive to the learning environment and not impeding the primary focus of schooling. Volunteering should be conducted with a positive attitude keeping the spirit of the school as a guiding principle. Those who volunteer with a positive attitude and refrain from complaining help the school climate flourish. Those who volunteer with a focus on the negative can hurt the school climate. The latter will not be tolerated. A volunteer should refrain from interference with classroom or school related issues that are the responsibility of school personnel. All school rules must be followed, including the use of appropriate language, dress, and overall behavior.

According to federal law, the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA), classroom volunteers are not permitted to discuss any student or student related information they witness as a result of their being in the classroom or on school grounds as a volunteer. Any volunteer violating FERPA may be asked to volunteer in situations where they are not working directly with or around children.

SNACS has a list available for suggested ways to fulfill family volunteer requirements. However, SNACS encourages each family to use its unique talents and interests in volunteering at school. The school will benefit the most from such meaningful volunteering, and the families will enjoy volunteering more.

From time to time SNACS will send to each family, a detail of its volunteer hours. Therefore, it is absolutely vital that each family keep accurate records of their volunteer time or donations. A volunteer log via computer is available in the front office for recording hours or donations. Please remember that if you are making material donations, the receipt needs to be turned in to the front office.

All visitors, volunteers and board members must sign in at the front office on the volunteer sign-in sheet & receive a badge. Classrooms will be called to announce a visitor before the visitor will be allowed beyond the front desk. This is a fire code requirement and safety protocol. This is not optional. All volunteers must be under the direct supervision of an SNACS staff member and may not be alone with students at any time. The only considered exception to this if SNACS is provided with a current copy of a valid Nevada teaching license or a WCSS Child Care work card.

Click on the link below to learn more about home to school communications that will help your volunteer experience be successful.

The ABC Tip Sheet for Good Home and School Communication

Student & Family Handbook

Student & Family Handbook – revised 3.21.10

Parenting Tips

Homework Tips

http://www.nasponline.org/resources/home_school/homework.aspx

Educational Resources

Skate Kids Online (for SNACS students only)

www.skatekids.com

Edline

www.edline.net (need SNACS log in ID)