How Lake Bonavista School Benefits from Volunteers
Our whole school community benefits by volunteers:
- enriching the experiences of children and school programs by tapping into the talents and resources of volunteers
- assisting teachers with many of the tasks of everyday school life allowing them the time for more individualized instruction
- assisting with clerical tasks necessary for the smooth operation of the school
- broadening and improving community understanding of school programs and thereby stimulating wide community support.
Benefits Derived from Volunteering
- Volunteers are demonstrating commitment to their childrens’ education.
- Volunteers are able to increase their knowledge of the school system.
- The program can serve as an outlet for personal strengths and skills.
Volunteer Ethics
Volunteers comply with all school policy and procedures. If you volunteer for an activity, please be prompt and reliable. If you cannot keep your commitment, a call to the school is greatly appreciated. Please do not use volunteer time to extensively discuss your own child’s progress. It is important to set-up separate meeting times for this purpose – you will find that both you and the teacher are better prepared for the discussion.
If in doubt about the nature of the task you are to undertake, please ask the teacher for clarification.
Volunteer “Code of Ethics” for all volunteers at Lake Bonavista School:
- Volunteers must be discreet. It is essential that a volunteer not discuss children, parents or school staff.
- Volunteers respect the professional role and judgment of the teacher.
- Volunteers will refer any discipline issues to the teacher in charge.
- Volunteers treat all knowledge about children and their families as confidential information.
- Volunteers respect the varied backgrounds and values of all children.
What is Involved in Volunteering?
- Volunteers are asked to give of their time: either in the school or at home
- Volunteers are requested to complete and sign all required forms.
- Volunteer service should be rewarding and your relationships with the school staff and students should be a happy one.
- If your assignment isn’t working out as well as you hoped, or if you feel you are no longer needed, please discuss the concern with the teacher or administration, and consider a change in assignment.
Volunteer Assignments
- Assisting in the school library - carding, shelving, filing, labeling, helping children with book selection, and book displays
- Assisting the classroom teacher - general teacher and student assistance (reading, crafts, listening, editing and story writing, treat baking, cutting, colouring, drawing, pasting, constructing aids, calligraphy, typing)
- Assisting with school aide duties - preparing instructional materials, copying
- Assisting with field trips - driving and/or supervising to be requested as needed. Please note that a new Driver Authorization Form must be completed each year
- Assisting with art or ethnic type activities
- Assisting with special days and special school projects
- Working on the School Council/Parents’ Association
- Working at fundraising events, i.e., Casinos
Lake Bonavista School Volunteer Procedures
Sign-in
Prior to proceeding to the teaching area, all volunteers check in at the office, collect a Volunteer identification tag and sign in and out in the Visitor/Volunteer Sign-In Book located at the main office. Office staff will notify the classroom teacher that you have arrived. If you are new to volunteering at our school, office staff will be pleased to direct you to your volunteer location.
Parking
The school parking lot is reserved for school-based staff. Please park on the south side of 120th Avenue.
Outdoor Clothing
Please use the coat rack that is available outside the staffroom.
Valuables
For the safety and security of your personal belongings, please avoid bringing valuables into the school unless absolutely necessary. It is recommended that purses are not left unattended. The CBE is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.
Coffee/Tea
Volunteers are welcome to join the staff in the staffroom for refreshments. Volunteer mugs are located on the top shelf in the cupboard above the sink or beside the coffee machine. Volunteer coffee, hot chocolate pods and tea bags are also located beside the coffee machine. It is appreciated if you wash your mugs after use.
Washrooms
Adult washrooms are located near the staffroom. Please note that washrooms are in heavy use by teaching/support staff at the beginning of recess.
Emergency Procedures
Every school has a plan to deal with emergency situations. You are encouraged to ask about specific protocols in the event of a lockdown, evacuation, or bomb threat. In the event of an emergency, the teacher in charge and/or school administration will provide further direction to you. You are expected to participate fully in fire drills or other safety-related
training conducted during the school day.
Questions or Concerns
Please bring any questions or concerns about your role to the teacher in charge or to the school’s administration. Every effort will be made to respond in a timely and appropriate manner. Please contact our school office.
