West Jr. Junior High School Volunteer Information

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1 West Jr. Junior High School Volunteer Information Welcome to a new school year! We invite you to join our volunteer team in supporting the students and staff at West Jr. High. Volunteers are an essential part of student success in every school in the Shakopee School District. Research shows that students do better in school when their parents and other adults are actively involved in their education. VOLUNTEER FAQs What are the requirements to volunteer? All volunteers are required to complete application and background check forms prior to beginning their volunteer services. The forms must be completed each year at every school where you volunteer. It's a simple process and takes only a few minutes. By completing the application, you are not committing to volunteer; rather, you are just allowing us to update you on potential volunteer opportunities and school activities. For the safety and security of students and everyone connected to the schools, volunteers 18 years and older are subject to a criminal history background check. If I completed an application last school year, do I need to complete another one? Yes, new and returning volunteers must complete an online application and background check form each year at every school where you will volunteer. Volunteer interests and contact information may change from year to year and your criminal background disclosure must be current. How do I apply as a volunteer? To complete the online application and background check form: 1. Go to the individual school website where you will volunteer. On the left side of the webpage under Quick Links, click on Volunteer at (school name). Click on (school name) HelpCounter Link. 2. Click on Start and complete all the required fields including the question on criminal background history. Type your full name under the signature line. 3. Add your student, their grade and choose their advisory teacher. For more than one student, click on Add a Student. (Student information is important to matching volunteers with needs.) 4. Indicate your volunteer interests. 5. Click on Submit Application (near the top). Once your application has been approved (usually within a few days) you will receive an . If you need a paper copy of the volunteer forms, contact your school s site volunteer coordinator. If your volunteer assignment warrants a background check, you will be contacted to complete a separate authorization form. What if I only want to chaperone a field trip later in the year, do I need to apply now? Yes, even if you are only considering volunteering for an activity later in the school-year, you need to apply now. By registering in the system, we know you are interested and can keep you informed. FAQs continued on back

2 What is HelpCounter? HelpCounter is an online system used by Shakopee Public Schools to manage and track volunteers. Volunteers apply online at each school where they will volunteer. When the school has a volunteer need, we send an to see if you are interested and available. The outlines the details of who, what, when and where. If you choose to respond to the request, we will confirm your participation via . Is the HelpCounter system secure? Yes, no one can access the system without a password. The information you share is encrypted and will not be shared with outside parties. Only administrators with special passwords can see the information you share. Why do I have to complete an application at each of my children s schools? Each school maintains a separate database of volunteers. You must complete the required forms at each school where you will volunteer. The online application contains three short sections and takes only a few minutes. What are the expectations for volunteers? Volunteers are expected to follow the district s guidelines and rules for the safety and protection of students, staff and volunteers. We ask that you review and follow the policies and expectations found on the school district website at I am new to volunteering in the schools, what roles do volunteers perform? At the elementary level, volunteers fill various roles from assisting in the classroom, media center or office, to chaperoning field trips, to working directly with students. At the secondary level, volunteer opportunities are generally more event based. As part of the online application process, you will find a list of volunteer opportunities available at your school. Thank you for your interest in volunteering. We appreciate your support of student learning! Paulette Rislund, Interim Site Volunteer Coordinator West Jr. High prislund@shakopee.k12.mn.us

3 Shakopee West Junior High School Volunteer Application School Year Complete the online volunteer application and background check forms if you have an address. If you do not have , complete the front and back of this form along with the Background Check Release Form. Volunteers must complete both forms (either online or paper) before they can begin volunteering in any capacity. Return paper forms to school as soon as possible. The information you provide is securely maintained and kept strictly confidential. Volunteer 1: (Please print) Last Name First Name (this is the primary means of contact): Best phone # to contact me during the day: ( ) Volunteer 2: (e.g., spouse, grandparent) (Please print) Last Name First Name (this is the primary means of contact): Best phone # to contact me during the day: ( ) Student Information: Student 1 Grade Advisor Student 2 Grade Advisor Student 3 Grade Advisor Background Check Release Form: To help us protect the safety and security of our students, the Shakopee Public Schools requires volunteers 18 years and older to complete a background check form giving the district permission to conduct a criminal history background check if your volunteer assignment warrants. A form must be completed EACH school year at EVERY school where you will volunteer. My signature below certifies that I have read the Volunteer Guidelines and agree to maintain confidentiality of student information and abide by district policies for volunteers. Signature (volunteer 1) Date Signature (volunteer 2) Date For Office Use Date received Date entered

4 Shakopee West Junior High Volunteer Opportunities Volunteer Pool Help with projects and activities as needed. We will contact you to see if you are interested and available. Opportunities may include but are not limited to: School projects Clerical tasks Student tutoring Media Center support Picture Day Conference helper School activities Concessions/ticket sales (non-school hours) Picture Day Help photographers with details on Picture Day. Field Trip Chaperone Receive requests to chaperone field trips that include your student. Please select this interest even if you are only remotely considering chaperoning a field trip any time throughout the school year. Teacher Appreciation Dinners Contribute a food item or a monetary donation to help us create a meal for teachers before conferences (Nov. & Feb.). This is a great way to let teachers know you appreciate their efforts. Or, share your time by helping us coordinate these conference meals. Share Your Interests If you would like to share information about your occupation, ethnic heritage, travels or life experiences; please let us know and we will add you to our list of potential speakers. School District Level Committees Get involved in district-wide decision making by serving on a committee to advise the school board on education related issues. Committees include: Curriculum Advisory Council (CAC) Community Education Advisory Council Early Childhood Advisory Council Special Education Parent Advisory Committee Special committees (formed as needed to address district-wide issues) Information on the role of each committee and the staff contact is listed on the district website at: If you have questions, please contact: Paulette Rislund, District Volunteer Coordinator, (952) , prislund@shakopee.k12.mn.us

5 Background Check Release Form - Volunteers For the safety and security of our students, Shakopee Public Schools requires all volunteers to complete a Background Check Release Form authorizing the school district to obtain a criminal history background check. The level of risk in a volunteer assignment determines whether a background check will be completed. A Background Check Release Form must be completed EACH school year at EVERY school where you will volunteer. The information you provide is securely maintained and kept strictly confidential. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY AND COMPLETE ALL FIELDS Name: Last First Middle Date of Birth: Month / Day / Year Home Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: Have you ever been convicted of, arrested for, or charged with any criminal offense including a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor or felony? Yes No If yes, please explain in some detail, including what county and state and in what year. THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO ENSURE PROPER TRACKING OF YOUR RELEASE FORM School where you will volunteer: Child s teacher/advisor: This release and authorization acknowledges that Shakopee Public Schools ISD 720, its agent and their associates may conduct a search and obtain any criminal or civil history record information pertaining to me which may be in the files of any Federal, State, or local criminal justice agency in any state or province or any information as deemed necessary to fulfill the volunteer requirements. I authorize the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) or other applicable state authority or the FBI (Minnesota Statute 123B.03) and any of its agents, to disclose criminal history information to Shakopee Public Schools ISD 720, its agent, and their associates for the purpose of volunteering. I understand that a photocopy of this authorization would be accepted with the same authority as the original. Signature of Volunteer Applicant Date Rev. 7/2014