CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT FOR VOLUNTEERS
We are pleased you are interested in volunteering in the Cashmere School District.  As you take on this very important role, we want to provide information to you related to confidentiality so that each person who works in our school will understand the importance of this issue and the privacy rights of our students and staff.

Volunteers observe students working at different levels and with different needs and challenges.  Some students need extra support in academic areas, some will need help in solving problems and others will need help making appropriate behavior choices.  These areas of support might be observed while helping students with academic learning or while in the hall, cafeteria, on the playground or other common areas of the school.  Anytime you notice conflicts or difficulties that are not resolved by the students, please make sure a staff member is informed promptly.  Please make sure any conversations that take place with a staff member related to a specific student's or group of students' needs are done privately (out of earshot of all students and other adults).  Please understand that teachers are not free to discuss other students with you.

We appreciate it when volunteers report any such incidents or concerns to us, and we also request that volunteers not speak of such incidents or concerns with anyone after having left the school.  In this way, we can protect the privacy of all children at our schools.  This is expected of all staff members within our schools, and we must require it of all volunteers as well.  There can be no tolerance for violations of confidentiality.  Continued volunteering is contingent upon respecting this request.

If you do have questions related to confidentiality, please do not hesitate to ask a school staff member.

CODE OF CONDUCT
This information is provided for your safety as well as the protection of the children with whom you will be working. Please review it carefully and ask any questions that may arise.  We want the time you spend volunteering in a Cashmere School to be a positive experience for all.

Relationships:  For the protection of all, the relationship between you and all students with whom you volunteer must be kept appropriate at all times.  Continuing your volunteer relationship out-of-school contact, such as phone calls, home visits, or invitations to your home, social events, office, vehicle, or activities is not permitted.  This prohibition, of course, would not restrict out-of-school contact with students who are family friends or known to you through other community contacts.

Appropriate touching: Handshakes, “high five’s”, an arm or hug around a shoulder are the only safe and friendly ways to touch a child when you are volunteering. For some children, or for some cultures, even these gestures may be unwelcome. No child should be subject to unwelcome touching no matter how well intended. If a child ever inappropriately touches you, please inform a staff member right away.

Communication: You are a role model. Your conversations with students and staff should demonstrate respect for others and avoid language that may be perceived as discriminatory, profane, sexist, or offensive. No student or staff person should ever be treated differently, spoken to disrespectfully or denied services on the basis of sex, race, religion, disability, age, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, or marital status. In addition, school personnel or volunteers cannot encourage or promote religious beliefs by class activities, comments or invitations to their place of worship.

Confidentiality: As a volunteer, you must respect and maintain confidentiality in regard to personal information obtained regarding a child or his/her family with certain exceptions. Reasonable suspicion of abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, illegal or dangerous activities should be shared with staff. Be assured they will follow up on the information.

Discipline: Any discipline of a student should be left up to a staff member. Physical punishment is never permitted.

School safety plan: In the event of an emergency while you are on site (fire, earthquake etc.) you need to be familiar with the Safety Plan of the building in which you volunteer. Each school will provide their Safety Plan to volunteers.

Check in/out: All visitors, including volunteers, are required to sign in at the main office in the school and wear an identification badge while on campus. 

How Do I Become A Volunteer?
Community and Parent volunteers make a major difference in the lives of children.  We appreciate your support and hope that you will consider volunteering in our schools.  Every year more than 500 people choose to volunteer in Cashmere Schools.  Each year volunteers must complete an ONLINE Volunteer Application.  

Volunteering is a very rewarding experience.  Our students and staff appreciate everything our volunteers do to help us reach our goal of academic success for all children.  We can't do it without you!!