Volunteers

Helen E. Taylor School is committed to the concept of parental involvement in education. Parents have a right, and indeed an obligation, to be informed and involved in their child’s education. Talking about school to your child shows him/her that you feel school is important and are interested in this aspect of his/her life. However, parents vary as to the extent to which they are able to be involved, and also as to the type of involvement they prefer. Similarly, although all teachers on this staff subscribe to the concept of parental involvement, the specific types of activities will vary from teacher to teacher. The classroom teacher has the right and the responsibility to schedule and co-ordinate parent involvement, as outlined in PWSB policy HICC. This includes the right to refuse parent involvement when it is deemed inappropriate and not in the best interests of the students. If you wish to become a volunteer in our school, we would like to draw your attention to the Volunteer Code of Ethics that we expect all our parents to abide by when in a volunteer capacity at Helen E. Taylor School.

A Volunteer’s Code of Ethics

Respect the confidentiality of the teacher and the children, and refrain from discussing them outside the school situation. If you have any questions, concerns or suggestions, share them with the teacher or administrator, in that order.

Remember that the teacher is the professional in charge of the classroom. The teacher will assign tasks to volunteers, which in his/her opinion are in the best educational interests of all of the children in the classroom.Practice tolerance and respect towards the students and teachers with whom you are in contact. Be sensitive to the teaching role. Strive for acceptance of all the children.

Notify the teacher in advance if you would like to volunteer in the classroom. Remember that there may be times when your help is not needed. Understand that different teachers and classes have different requirements for outside help.

Be dependable. If you agree to undertake a task, follow it through by attending at the times and dates arranged. Be realistic about the amount of time you can spend. If you must be late or absent, arrange for an acceptable substitute or inform the school in advance.

Understand that the classroom is designed as a place of learning, not of babysitting. Younger children are very distracting to a class and arrangements for their care outside the school should be made before your volunteer session.

WCB regulations and PWPSD insurance regulations require that all volunteers working in a school setting sign in before their session begins. To that end, please remember to sign in at the main office before you begin your volunteer duties.

We would like to thank all of our volunteers for the important contribution you are making to the education of the children at Helen E. Taylor School.