2022-23
RANCHO SIENNA ELEMENTARY PTO
VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
Our Mission Statement:
Engaging our community to inspire and empower students for success.
The primary purpose of the Volunteer Program is to assist and support our public school system in its effort to maximize educational opportunities and experiences that are offered to each child attending school at Rancho Sienna Elementary. The program seeks to assist our teachers, staff, and students by helping them in the many areas in which they may need assistance.
Attached is your copy of the Rancho Sienna Elementary PTO Volunteer Handbook. This handbook outlines the guidelines for the safety of our students, the responsibilities of our volunteers, and the expectation of confidentiality. Please take the time to read through this handbook. Should you have any questions, you may contact Elvina Gonzalez by email at volcoordinator@ranchosiennapto.org
Thank you for joining the volunteer team! Together we can help improve the quality of our children’s education and fulfill our mission.
GENERAL VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
RESPONSIBILITY
Workroom availability hours: 7:30 am - 10 am; 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
If you are unable to volunteer during a time which you are expected to, please notify the volunteer coordinator as soon as possible.
Volunteers should park in the visitor parking area.
Volunteers are required to check in and out of the office with a valid photo ID. +will be checked in after this time unless required for a specific event. Please do not ask to check your child out early from the classroom.
If you will be volunteering in the building for the last hour of the school day and you would like to pick up your child from campus, please submit a Transportation Change Request prior to 1:00pm. For all children’s safety, please do not attempt to pick up your child from a hallway or classroom while you are volunteering. Your child will meet you in the designated area at the end of the day.
Volunteers should not promote any commercial product or brand names, propose any religious doctrines or personal agendas, promote any political candidate, or lend money to the students.
While on campus, you represent Rancho Sienna Elementary and LHISD. A professional appearance has a positive impact on the school environment. Volunteers should be neat, clean and well-groomed. All clothing and body ornamentation, and other visible items worn by volunteers, must be free of any printed material that advertise tobacco, alcohol products or drugs, is obscene, indecent or, sexually explicit, contains or contributes to prohibited discrimination or harassment based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or age, or invokes gang affiliation or activity. Backless and strapless tops are not permitted. Tank and spaghetti strap tops may be worn if nder another approved shirt. Skirts, dresses and shorts must be at least mid-thigh length. Leggings and biker shorts must be worn under skirts, dresses and tunics. Hats shall not be worn indoors. Exposed body ornamentation, including but not limited to tattoos, branding, intentional scarring, mutilation, and subdermal implants must conform with the requirements for printed material described above. Body ornamentation not within these parameters must be covered at all times.
We encourage all parents to volunteer and understand that you may have preschool-aged children in your care during the school day or work outside of the home. We do request that volunteer opportunities that require you to support teachers and/or students directly in the classroom or during events should be reserved for times when you can give your full attention and thus not have younger siblings with you. However, there are other assignments such as take-home projects or workroom clerical jobs that may be more appropriate for parents with younger children.
SAFETY
If volunteering on campus with younger children under your supervision, please ensure that your preschool-aged child is always in your direct care. It is recommended that your children remain in strollers in the workroom to ensure they are always in a safe place. This is a workroom with potentially dangerous tools (i.e., paper cutters, scissors, staplers, laminator, etc). We need to ensure your child’s safety and have these areas available for unobstructed staff use during the school day.
Volunteers will not be allowed to share candy, snacks, treats, or drinks of any kind with a child on campus.
Volunteers cannot administer any medication to an ill child. If a child is ill please seek the assistance of a staff member or the school nurse.
The school administration and staff do not expect you to handle any discipline problems. You must seek the aid of school personnel in these cases.
The use of tobacco products or vaping is NOT permitted anywhere on school grounds.
STUDENT CONFIDENTIALITY
The relationship between the volunteer and the staff member or student is a professional one and strictly confidential. From time to time you may overhear a conversation regarding a student and/or staff member. Please do not share any information regarding a student and/or staff member with any student, friend, spouse, colleague, or parent.
If you have concerns regarding the welfare or safety of a student please reach out to the Guidance Counselor, Barbara Payne.
STUDENT AND STAFF CONFIDENTIALITY MUST BE MAINTAINED
AT ALL TIMES BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS
