Volunteering
We need you! We love volunteers at Beverly Elementary School, however, we also value the safety of our children. Therefore, in order to be a volunteer at any Plano school, adults not employed by the school district must first obtain a criminal background check. Any parent, grandparent, or other interested adults my ask for a form from in the front office. This form must be completed and returned before permission may be granted for an adult to be in the school building with children (other than those children related to the adult). This form is mandatory to participate as a chaperone for field trips, be a 5th grade camp counselor, or for any other volunteer activities.
- Please log into the Plano ISD web page to complete the volunteer application. Keep in mind that approval generally takes one to two weeks to process. At the end of the application process, a Volunteer Agreement form will print out. You must have this form notarized. A new application must be completed each school year. If you have any question sbaout the process, please speak to the Beverly office staff.
Whether a form has been filled out or not, when visiting the building, all adults who come in the building (other than staff) must wear "Visitor" badges, to indicate to staff and students that you have checked in at the front office and are not a stranger. We appreciate your willingness to serve our school and be there for our children!
If you would like to volunteer your time for PTA or help in your child's classroom or grade level, please see the PTA link on our web page for more information.
Volunteer Procedures
Volunteers are asked to give special attention to the following policies and procedures:
- Complete a volunteer information form. This information will help determine your interests and assignments.
- A background/security check must be completed every year. The security check is necessary for every volunteer in Beverly Elementary. To complete the backgroud check, please login to the PISD web site volunteer link and submit your personal information.
- Work in cooperation with an assigned teacher, volunteer or staff member. Questions, suggestions and feedback should be directed to the teacher, PTA Volunteer coordinator, grade level coordinator or committee chairperson, or to the principal.
- Please sign in and out of the book located in the foyer of the school. The school staff needs to know who is in the building, and it is helpful in identifying the number of volunteer hours given to Beverly. Any at home/off campus hours can be reported on the same sheet. We prepare a report to send to the district, and many times these hours are needed to apply for grants and awards for the school and PTA.
- Tracking your volunteer hours is important! In addition to signing the book in the foyer, please remember to always keep track of the hours you spend volunteering for our school, even at home. We prepare a report to send to the district, and many times these hours are needed to apply for grants and awards for the school and PTA.
- Temporary badges for your use are located in the box next to the book. Please always wear a name badge so that you may be identified as a person belonging in the school. Volunteers will be provided with a lanyard name badge in the near future.
- To enter the school, you should come to the front doors and ring the buzzer to be admitted.
- Do not smoke in any District enclosed facility, or in the presence of students at school or school-related activities.
- Report to the nurse and administrators immediately if you are injured at school.
- Please use telephones for emergencies only.
- Adhere to all safety requirements. All volunteers shall adhere to District safety rules and regulations and shall report unsafe conditions or practices to the appropriate supervisor.
- Volunteers shall not distribute, dispense, possess, use or be under the influence of any of the following substances during the house while at school or at school-related activities: Any controlled substance, or dangerous drug as defined by law, including but not limited to marijuana, any narcotic drug, hallucinogen, stimulant, depressant, amphetamine, or barbiturate. Alcohol or any alcoholic beverage. Any abusable glue, aerosol paint, or any other chemical substance for inhalation. Any other intoxicant, or mood-changing, mind altering or behavior-altering drugs.
- Do not express dissatisfaction with school or staff in presence of students. Share matters of concern with the supervising staff person, the principal or volunteer coordinator.
- Do not demonstrate harassing or discriminating behaviors. District volunteers shall not engage in sexual harassment of student or staff members. Sexual harassment includes such activities as engaging in sexually oriented conversations, telephoning students or staff at home or elsewhere to solicit unwelcome social relationships, physical contact that would reasonable be construed as sexual in nature, and threatening or enticing students to engage in sexual behavior in exchange for grades or other school-related benefit.
- Volunteers will not establish instructional objectives, administer corporal punishment or determine punishment or contact parents regarding performance or behavior or students.
- Please participate in any emergency drills or actual emergency procedures that might take place while you are volunteering in the school.
- Be prompt. If you are unable to come at your appointed time, please call the office, or the appropriate contact person.
- Dress appropriately. It is recommended that volunteers dress according to the school student and staff guidelines.
- Consider yourself a “de facto” employee of the school and conduct yourself like any member of the teaching or administrative staff.
- Remember that each child deserves the same respect you would expect someone to have for your child.
- You are privy to information – ranging from student’ performance in their daily work to teachers’ work or behavior – that is confidential and protected by law. Expect a child’s privacy – if a child or teacher reveals personal information about a child, regard it as a confidence unless it is something that could harm the child.
- An effective volunteer is dependable, punctual, and recognizes the vital importance of regular attendance. Good attendance is important because students, as well as staff, look forward to seeing you. Let the teacher, chairperson or volunteer coordinator know when you are unable to attend.
- A good sense of humor is crucial.
- Be discreet and dedicated.
- Respect the teacher and school’s ultimate responsibility for the health, welfare and education of each student.
- Be consistent with the teacher’s rules for classroom schedules and behavior.
- Younger siblings should not attend while volunteering during instructional time. You may bring siblings to the school while attending meetings, working in the workroom etc. It will be left to the teacher’s discretion as whether to allow siblings to attend classroom activities such as parties.
- Accept each child as they are – it is not your responsibility to judge a child’s abilities, progress, or behavior.
- Do not comment or gossip about individual students, staff members, or the school. If others ask you what you do at school, discuss the activities you do, rather than specific information about the child, teacher or school.
When dealing with teachers, school administrators, staff members or other volunteers, remember the three C’s – cooperate, communicate and coordinate