Volunteer

The Saucon Valley School District supports and encourages the participation of parents/guardians and community residents to enhance the educational, co-curricular and extracurricular programs of the district.

Visitor - a parent/guardian, adult resident, educator, official or other individual who is not a school employee or independent contractor, and who visits a school or attends or participates in an event or activity at a school.

Volunteer – an adult, whose role is more than that of a visitor, who voluntarily offers a service to the district without receiving compensation from the district. A volunteer is not a school employee.

The two (2) classifications of volunteers are:

1. PositionVolunteer-anadultapplyingfororholdinganunpaidpositionwitha school or a program, activity or service, as a person responsible for the child’s welfare or having direct volunteer contact with children. Examples include, but are not limited to, field trip chaperones, tutors, coaches, activity advisor, recess or library aides, etc.

2. GuestVolunteer-anadultwhovoluntarilyprovidesaservicetothedistrict, without compensation, who: (1) works directly under the supervision and direction of a school administrator, a teacher or other member of the school staff; and (2) does not have direct volunteer contact. Examples include, but are not limited to, volunteering to assist in classroom celebrations, school assemblies, or school concerts; reading to students; collecting tickets at sporting events; working concession stands; participating in “Career Day,” etc.

 

Guidelines

Each prospective position volunteer shall complete and submit a volunteer application. The names of all position volunteers shall be submitted for approval by the
{ } Board.
{ } Superintendent or designee.

The names of all guest volunteers shall be submitted for approval by the building principal or designee.

Upon approval, volunteers shall be placed on the list of approved volunteers. Approval shall be required prior to beginning service as a volunteer. Certifications
Prior to approval, all position volunteers shall submit the following information:

1. PAChildAbuseHistoryCertification-whichmustbelessthansixty(60)months old.[10]

2. PAStatePoliceCriminalHistoryRecordInformation-whichmustbelessthan sixty (60) months old.[10]

3. DisclosureStatementforVolunteers-whichisastatementswearingoraffirming the applicant has not been disqualified from service by reason of conviction of designated criminal offenses or being listed as the perpetrator in a founded report of child abuse.[9][10][12]

If a position volunteer has not been a resident of Pennsylvania during the entirety of the previous ten (10) year period, the position volunteer must also submit the following information:[10]

1. FederalCriminalHistoryReport-issuedatanytimesincethevolunteer established residency.

 

Information submitted by volunteers in accordance with this policy shall be maintained centrally in a manner similar to that used for school employees.

Position volunteers shall obtain and submit new certifications every sixty (60) months.[13]

A student, eighteen (18) years of age or older, who is volunteering for an event or activity sponsored by the school in which the student is enrolled and occurring on the school’s grounds, shall not be required to submit certifications except when the event or activity is for children in the care of a child-care service or the student will otherwise be responsible for the welfare of a child.

 

Tuberculosis Test

Prior to participating in student activities, volunteers working ten (10) or more hours per week in direct contact with students shall undergo a test for tuberculosis, when required by and in accordance with the regulations and guidance of the Pennsylvania Department of Health.[14][15]

Arrest or Conviction Reporting Requirements

Position volunteers shall report to the Superintendent or designee, in writing, within seventy-two (72) hours, an arrest or conviction required to be reported by law or notification that the volunteer has been named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report pursuant to the Child Protective Services Law.[12]

The Superintendent or designee shall immediately require a position volunteer to submit new certifications if the Superintendent or designee has a reasonable belief that the volunteer was arrested for or has been convicted of an offense required to be reported by law, was named as a perpetrator in a founded or indicated report, or has provided written notice of such occurrence.[12]

Failure to accurately report such occurrences may subject the position volunteer to disciplinary action up to and including denial of volunteer service and criminal prosecution.

Child Abuse Reporting

All volunteers who have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is the victim of child abuse shall make a report of suspected child abuse in accordance with applicable law, Board policy and administrative regulations.[16][17]

Confidentiality

No volunteer shall be permitted access to confidential student information unless the supervisor has determined that such access is necessary for the volunteer to
fulfill their responsibilities. Volunteers with access to confidential student information

shall maintain the confidentiality of that information in accordance with district policies and procedures and applicable law. If a volunteer has questions about confidentiality of student information, the volunteer should consult with the building principal.