I have received all the responses Maria was offered and unfortunately it still does get to the heart of the matter, and in addition the Policy (updated in 1996) that was offered differs in some very important details from the position the district has taken. This writer as a matter of respect for all parties concerned will leave it up to Maria to share verbatim or not. Suffice it to say, we are still not clear how to assist parents in understanding how they can volunteer within the district.
Help me comprehend -- why is this so difficult?
Parents want to volunteer and want to do so in a manner that is both constructive and within the district’s construct. We want to know HOW WE CAN VOLUNTEER? Independent of how the district “thinks” we should volunteer but nevertheless within the legal obligatory statutes of the district. It is not just Maria and I asking but I have had many parents ask me this question over the past two years. And more importantly – I have been unable to produce a definition of volunteer, the limitations or the policy for same per the district. This initiative maps into the 5th Core Goal of the district (Community/Parental Involvement).
If the district is committed to involving parents it must be an all inclusive, conclusive process in both identifying and participating in the development of pertinent programs. As we read through the BOE agendas we see initiatives being mapped directly to the core goals of the district. Respectfully, I take no issue with those programs that fall outside of the purview of this public (meaning me) e.g. developing HR programs, appropriate pay raises etc… but I have concern with Parental and Community initiatives that fail to reach out directly to parents and community for their input, and at the very least offers an opportunity to get involved. Developing a volunteer policy would aid us in doing this!
Help me understand – why is this so difficult?
A sound business person would not develop a pork chop vending machine within the cafeteria of a Muslim or Jewish ran company. So it stands to reason that the school district can not develop successful community and parental involvement initiatives without involving same.
I’m reposting the information from my original inquiry to the Super on this topic for your re-review.
QUESTION: Is there a district-wide policy on volunteering within PPS? Parents would like to understand how they can help -- what are the limits, qualifications etc...Can the district produce A Volunteer Handbook for PPS with stated policies and procedures? If so when? If not -- why?
RESPONSE: I am still, and may remain in the process for some time of determining what we currently have in the district and aligning it with what we actually need. Both will most importantly consider what is or has been effective. Policy questions and procedures may be directed to the Office of Administrative Services. Please now, however, that the safety and security of our children will be priority. To this end, it hould be expected that all volunteers will have to go through an appropriate screening and background review process.
Follow-up Response: Well parents -- perhaps I didn't ask the question clearly enough, but nevertheless at the very least you have a point of contact. I would suggest reaching out to the OAS for clarity on the definition of a Volunteer so as to understand if you are reading a book to your child's class every now and then would this necessitate you going through a screening and background review -- and most importantly -- who pays...?
1 comment:
I believe in order to work with the students in or outside their classrooms, you must be vetted through a fingerprint clearance. When I was employed at a local youth organization, I had to be fingerprinted and cleared.
As an adoptive parent, I am quite used to people regularly poking in my (clean as a whistle) background and cleared very easily.
Biological parents are not mandated or regulated by the state and can have issues that rise up during background checks.
I believe primarily, those clearances are checking for pedophiles and folks who have committed violent crimes or robberies.
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