As always, we encourage you to participate in the activities of St. Stephen School.  One of the keys to the success of our school is parental involvement.  Studies show that the students feel more secure and have greater success in school whenever parents are supportive of their children’s school.

All parents and guardians who wish to participate in any volunteer activities at St. Stephen School must have a CORI check and participate in a Safe Environment Training Session.

vol·un·teer/ [vol-uhn-teer]
noun

1. a person who voluntarily offers himself or herself for a service or undertaking.
2. a person who performs a service willingly and without pay.

 
Volunteer Guidelines:
St. Stephen School relies on the helping hands of volunteers to assist in the smooth operation of the school and to build community among our families.  All parents/guardians are strongly urged to participate in making your and your children’s years at St. Stephen School happy ones.

• For all volunteer activities, including chaperoning field trips or other events, parents MUST meet CORI and Safe Environment guidelines described below.  These requirements must be met at the beginning of the school year as scheduled by the office.
• All volunteers are required to comply with the school’s request for a Criminal Offenses Record Information (C.O.R.I.) background check.  Forms and related information are available at the school office.  Completed forms are sent to the Diocese of Worcester, Office for Healing and Prevention, for processing and referral to the Criminal History Systems Board.
• Also, all volunteers must attend Safe Environment Training sponsored by the Diocese of Worcester.  Those who by virtue of their current jobs are already Mandated Reporters (e.g., nurses, social workers, etc.) must send a letter to the school principal with that information and documentation substantiating that they have completed such training if they wish to volunteer.
• Finally, if further checks or training are required by the school or the Diocese of Worcester, volunteers must comply.

 
Volunteer Tuition Credit:
All volunteer opportunities, commitments and volunteer tuition credit will be handled through the principal’s office under the supervision of the administrative assistant.  As usual, we will be seeking parent volunteers to continue to provide the leadership that is essential for such eagerly anticipated events as the Father/Daughter Dance, The Gingerbread House, Family Night, Mother/Son Night, Spree Day and so many other activities.  Without parent volunteers to chair and participate in planning and running these events, they will have to be cancelled.
 

• A tuition credit of $200 per child (for the first two children only) will be given to those parents/guardians who give 25 volunteer hours to St. Stephen School and/or St. Stephen parish activities. When each parent volunteers at least 25 hours, double credit is given. With administrative approval, a parent substitute will be allowed for the second 25 hours.  In all cases, credit is given for the first two children only.  At the completion of the maximum of 50 hours allowed toward tuition credit per family, any additional time given to your child(ren)’s school is strictly volunteer time given willingly and without recompense.

 
Fundraising:
Various fund-raising events are held during the school year for the direct benefit of the St. Stephen Development Fund.  Your full support is essential in keeping tuition at a reasonable cost and providing additional educational experiences.
 
Goal of St. Stephen Volunteers:
As St. Stephen School volunteers, your goal is to participate in the life of the school, enabling it to function more efficiently and effectively because of your help.  You are the role models for your children, their primary teachers.  The school spirit you demonstrate shows the importance of active participation in our community.  This benefits the spiritual, moral, and intellectual growth of your children.
 
Background Information:
Volunteers play an integral part in the life of the St. Stephen School community, performing varied duties and sharing their many talents.  Some service is performed regularly, such as lunch duty, while other opportunities exist for shorter commitments such as Spree Day.  Parents are generous with their time coaching sports.  Others, who are only available when school is not in session, may help in the Parish Thrift Shop on Saturdays.  Families of students also assist in the fundraising efforts during the school year.  These projects vary from year to year.
 
How Can I Volunteer?
“Volunteer Opportunities” are included in this Handbook.  Please

• read through the service opportunities;
• contact the school office to indicate the activity you are interested in.

 
You will be contacted by the school to confirm your commitments.  To volunteer, you must:

• complete the C.O.R.I. form available from the school office which authorizes a criminal background check.
• attend the Diocesan mandated Safe Environment Training.  Dates and times are also available from the office. 

   
  Volunteers’ Expectations:   Confidentiality is of the utmost importance
Volunteers can expect to:

• be introduced to others working on the team
• be welcomed with friendliness
• receive clear instructions as to your duties and responsibilities
• have ideas and suggestions listened to
• have your contribution treated as very important to the school
• have adequate notice when your help is needed
• be informed when an activity is postponed or a time is changed
• have your availability respected
• have your hours correctly recorded and appropriately credited
• be thanked for the service you have given.

 
Responsbilities of Volunteers:
Volunteers must remember that they are there to help ALL STUDENTS and must not cater to a few individuals.  Know what your duties are and how to do them promptly, correctly, and pleasantly.  The leader of each activity will help you by answering your questions.  Please ask!
Speak with the Administrative Assistant and/or the school principal to contribute suggestions for improvements in the program.
 
Expectations of Volunteers:
While volunteers are not paid personnel, your contributions are nonetheless important!  Please abide by these guidelines, whether your volunteer time is spent with students or in some other way:

• sign in and sign out at the school office each time
• dress in a manner that is appropriate for the duty. 
• give students your name as Mr., Mrs., or Ms.; first names only are not acceptable for the students to use  when speaking to you.
• attend any training sessions scheduled for volunteers.
• inform the Administrative Assistant or school office of any planned absence, late arrival, or if you will not be able to fulfill your commitment to volunteer.
• alert the Principal to any potentially harmful situations and/or any difficulty between/among students.
• St. Stephen School exists for the students, so you must treat all students the way Jesus would treat them if He were the volunteer.
• volunteers perform their duties in a manner that benefits the school.
• volunteers protect students and act in ways that avoid litigation.
• volunteers behave as a “reasonable person,” defined as behavior or action that we can reasonably expect a person to follow.
• keep in mind that whether supervising or helping, volunteers must be alert at all times to the over-all needs and circumstances of the students.
• cooperate with administration, faculty, staff, and other volunteers and maintain a good team attitude.
• report any problems with discipline to the Principal.
• report any suspected child abuse issue to the Principal.
• follow school policies and procedures, such as refrain from:
• any search of a child’s person or belongings
• touching a student in a way that could be judged punitive.
• if you are in doubt about school policy, ask the principal.
• speak in a professional manner to avoid defamation of character.  Avoid:
• gossiping about students, teachers, staff, volunteers or administration at all times
• discussing student’s behavior, progress, or personal lives
• writing comments about a child
• respect the confidentiality of information you may learn while in the school.  Discretion is imperative.
• exhibit sensitivity to the spiritual, emotional, mental, psychological, and physical well being of each student.
• refer any ill or injured child to the teacher.  Students are never left unattended nor allowed to go to the  school office alone if they are ill or injured.
• refrain from advising or administering any medical care, unless you are a registered healthcare professional and you are performing duties of that nature with the approval of the school administration.
• avoid language that can be construed as discriminatory in any way.
• Volunteers are not to visit classrooms or be in any areas where they are not volunteering.