One Team Volunteers Overview
HMC-1 acknowledges the significant role volunteers play regarding programming, services, and achievement, and greatly appreciates the many contributions made to its students, staff, and schools. To ensure consistent practice and a positive, productive experience for district volunteers, expectation guidelines are provided:
Volunteering in the district is a privilege, not a right.
- The Board, superintendent, principal or designee may decline or terminate the services of a volunteer or mentor for any legal reason.
- Building principals or designees are responsible for approval of the screened volunteers & mentors to be placed in their buildings.
- Teachers may select and organize chaperones unless directed otherwise by the principal.
Volunteers will work under the direction and supervision building principal or staff.
- Volunteers will provide support services but are not substitutes for district staff.
- Screened Volunteers who are left alone with a student will have an employee contact person or supervisor to monitor activities with students.
Volunteers must receive training appropriate to the function they will serve while volunteering.
- If a volunteer is disruptive or acts inappropriately around the students, the teacher or principal will refuse the volunteer's services and notify the superintendent or designee immediately.
Volunteer Requirements
An HMC-1 approved volunteer is defined as meeting the following requirements:
● An adult over the age of 18 years
● An individual with approved Volunteer Background check
● An individual who has signed and uploaded Volunteer Code of Conduct
● An individual selected for a specific activity.
Volunteer Building Expectations
Please help keep our program running smoothly by following these guidelines:
● Sign in at the office when you arrive at school.
● Wear your badge from Raptor check-in
● Follow all rules outlined by the Volunteer Code of Conduct
● Sign out on Raptor at the office when you leave
Screened Volunteers Requirements
- District staff must direct persons wishing to serve as a screened volunteer to the Volunteer Background Check website. Supervisors of activities that may require overnight volunteers are encouraged to recruit and certify volunteers at the beginning of the school year because the process may take several weeks or months to complete.
- Screened volunteers must consent to and complete a criminal background check as required in policy GBEBC prior to being left alone with a student and may be required to submit additional information at the superintendent or designee's discretion. All information collected regarding screened volunteers will be considered confidential to the extent allowed by law and will be used only to protect the students or minimize disruption to the educational environment.
- Only screened volunteers may have access to student education records. However, such access is limited to instances where access is necessary for the volunteer to assist the district, and such access must be supervised by staff members. Screened volunteers who are granted access to student records must keep all information confidential.
- The building principal or designee will provide appropriate training for all screened volunteers.
Screening Process for Volunteers (Background Check)
The district will conduct a criminal background check on all individuals volunteering in positions where they may be periodically left alone with students or have access to student records. Volunteers who chaperone students on overnight trips or are sponsors, advisors or coaches of district-sponsored activities must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check.
The district is not required to conduct a background check on volunteers who have had a background check conducted by another Missouri public school within the past year if the district receives a copy of the background check directly from the other district or obtains electronic access to the previous background check.
In addition to the volunteers who are required by law to receive a full background check, HMC-1 may require other volunteers to undergo a background check or the district may conduct a search of the MSHP's criminal history database and the FCSR or the CD's central registry of child abuse and neglect.
HMC-1 provides free Volunteer Background checks for all volunteers. Background checks are only valid for the current school year and ends on June 30th each year.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer opportunities are school specific. The following are possible ways schools can use volunteers:
● STEM Workshops: Volunteer to assist with school-based science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workshops, encouraging students' interest in these fields.
● Sports and Athletics: Volunteer to coach or assist with school-based sports teams, helping students develop their athletic skills and sportsmanship.
● HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS: Volunteer to assist with school-based health-related initiatives, such as promoting physical activity, healthy eating habits, or mindfulness exercises.
● FINE ARTS SUPPORT: Volunteer to assist with school-based art projects, drama productions, or music events, helping students express themselves creatively.
● CULTURAL AWARENESS AND DIVERSITY PROGRAMS: Volunteer to participate in school-based programs that celebrate diversity and promote cultural understanding among students.
● CAREER FAIRS: Volunteer to participate in school-based career fairs, sharing insights about your profession and helping students explore potential career paths.
● COLLEGE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE: Volunteer to participate in helping high school students navigate the college application process, including preparing application materials and scholarship applications.
● CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROGRAMS: Volunteer to participate in school-based programs that teach conflict resolution and social skills to students, promoting positive interactions.
● TECHNOLOGY CLUBS: Volunteer to participate in school-based technology-focused clubs or coding workshops, introducing students to digital skills and innovation.
● ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES: Volunteer to participate in school-based eco-friendly initiatives, such as recycling programs or sustainability awareness campaigns.
● PARENT WORKSHOPS: Volunteer to participate in school-based workshops to parents on topics such as parenting strategies, digital safety, and student success strategies.
● LANGUAGE CLUBS: Volunteer to participate in school-based language clubs, promoting language learning and cultural exchange among students.
● SUMMER PROGRAMS: Volunteer to participate in school-based summer programs that offer educational enrichment, recreational activities, and a safe environment for students.
● CAREER SHADOWING: Volunteer to participate in school-based opportunities for students to shadow you at your workplace, giving them insight into various careers.