Volunteer Guidelines

There are very few “absolutes” in the Newport News VIPS program. Our program works because it is flexible; however, even the most flexible program needs a general framework. It is especially important that all programs follow the requirements set forth in items one and two listed below. Questions about program policy should be directed to the individual school principal or the volunteer director.

1. Each new volunteer is required to have a chest X-ray or skin test for tuberculosis.  The school nurse or volunteer coordinator will provide details.
2. Volunteers are not assigned to work in their own child’s classroom. This policy is particularly important at the primary level. One of the goals of primary education is to help children learn to trust and listen to adults other than their parents. When parents volunteer in their child’s classroom, the child continues to look to the parent for guidance and direction that should come from the teacher. In those rare cases when assigning a volunteer to their child’s classroom is unavoidable, the volunteer shall not work directly with their own child.
3. Volunteers who are highly qualified in a special area (art, music, physical education, foreign language, etc.) may be asked to work in a classroom with their own child. The principal usually schedules this type of volunteer service.
4. Volunteers may not bring children to school when they are expected to work alongside teachers and staff. Teachers and staff members count on school volunteers to be able to provide assistance with absolute concentration and flexibility.
5. Training and orientation are provided for all volunteers. Volunteers entering the program after the initial training will receive individual orientation and training from the school’s volunteer coordinator or staff representative.
6. Volunteers are placed in a classroom only when a teacher has requested the services of a volunteer.
7. The volunteer always works under the direction of a teacher. The volunteer does not initiate classroom placement on his or her own.
8. The teacher should always remain in the classroom when a volunteer is on duty.
9. The maximum recommended time for a volunteer to serve in one classroom is one and one-half hours. If a volunteer is giving three hours, it is advisable to divide their time between two teachers, one and one-half hours in each class.
10. It is important that the Volunteer Hours be reported consistently throughout the school division according to the following guidelines:
1. Speaking at a PTA meeting, preparing a report, preparing folders, preparing a newsletter, selling calendars, handing out name tags, making posters, etc. should count. To be in attendance at a PTA meeting does not count.
2. Attending a planning session for school-budget committees, fundraisers, counting money made for student activities, etc. is counted.
3. Portal and portal time volunteering in a school (not to include time spent on personal errands) is counted.