ADMINISTRATION
Merry Armstrong Lowe
Director and Principal
mlowe@bridgesschool.com
Danny Haire
Support Services Director
dhaire@bridgesschool.com
Shannon Pruitt Caudill
Chief Operating Officer and Personnel Manager
spruitt@bridgeschool.com
Kim White Business Manager kwhite@bridgesschool.com
WELCOME TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
The staff and students of Bridges Academy welcome active and visible parent
involvement in the life of the school. Voluntarism enriches the learning
environment of our children and the lives of those donating their time.
We look forward to your continued interest, support and involvement in our
school community. Enjoy your time with us and do not hesitate to share your
insights, question and concerns. We rely on your feedback for the continued
improvement of our volunteer program.
BRIDGES ACADEMY
MISSION STATEMENT
Creating a nurturing environment where children and teachers
can tingle with discovery is the mission of Bridges Academy. The school is
founded with the conviction that making connections defines the creative
learning process. It is a place that addresses the needs of certain students
who are failing to thrive in their current educational setting. The whole
community – teachers, students, and parents –become the bridges that link life
and learning and provide a deeper understanding of the concepts, patterns, and
principles which are the foundation of knowledge in our world.
PHILOSOPHY / GOALS regarding VOLUNTEERS
Research indicates that parent voluntarism in schools enhances student
self-esteem, increases academic achievement and cognitive development, and
improves student behavior and attendance.
Teachers come to see parents as valued partners in extending and enriching
the educational program. In addition, parents come to know they make a
difference through contributions of time and talent. Parent/adult involvement
allows staff to draw upon supplemental and often unique adult resources and expertise.
The volunteer program serves as an outlet to utilize skills and develop more
positive attitudes about self and as a resource to acquire new knowledge about
the educational process, child development, and the Bridges Academy learning organization.
1.RESPONSIBILITIES
Administration is committed to:
Facilitating
Monitoring
Evaluating
Providing continuity for the success of the volunteer program
Staff are committed to:
Welcoming volunteers
Informing them about their tasks
Providing materials
Encouraging their initiatives and celebrating their efforts
Volunteers are committed to:
Respecting school rules and procedures
Performing assigned tasks to the best of their ability
Working cooperatively with all staff and seeking clarification when necessary
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES / PROGRAMS
The following are areas for volunteer opportunities
Classroom help
Tutoring
Reviewing work with students
Supporting art projects
Teaching an area of skill (art, music, speech, etc.)
Computer lab support
Filing and paper work
Decorating bulletin boards
Write and/or type dictated stories
Read stories
Assist with a cooking or other hobby experience
Work with a group
Help a group move from one place to another
Play and/or teach games in classroom and play yard
Monitor students working on assignments
Maintenance/beautification of the school
Supervision (recess or lunch times)
Assist at arrival or dismissal
Supervise lunch room
Accompany group on field trips
2. OTHER VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE
Clerical Tasks
Type as needed
File materials
Put names of children on lists, materials, notes
Copy materials
Gather materials for projects
Work on projects left for parents or take home
teaching aides such as games and flashcards,
prepare materials such as cutting paper with the paper cutter,
maintain art supplies by washing paint brushes,
correct papers,
trim laminated papers
Serve on committees
FIELD TRIPS
All field trips must have the enrichment of the curriculum as their core
purpose and must be carefully planned as an extension of the classroom experience.
Children not enrolled in the school should not accompany the class field trip.
All drivers follow the teacher provided directions driving directly to and
from the field trip destination without stopping or detouring. It is very
important to meet at designated times and locations as directed.
The following requirements must be met for all field trips and other
school-sponsored events involving vehicles that are privately owned and driven:
The driver must be at least 21 years old;
The driver must submit to a background check and show no felony, DUI, or
reckless driving convictions;
HEALTH AND SAFETY
Accident or Injury:
All student accident or injury must be reported to the parent/guardian. The
volunteer should report to the teacher or administrator giving details of how
accident occurred and filling out an accident report form.
Do not leave an injured child to seek assistance, send a child or another
adult to report you need assistance.
3. MEDICATION PROCEDURES
A volunteer may NEVER administer any over the counter medications to a
student, unless prescribed as above.
School Safety Plan
Review school safety plan and be familiar with it
VOLUNTEER PROCEDURES
Parking
You may wish to leave valuables, such as a purse, locked in your vehicle as
we have no place in the school to secure them
Entrance (Please call if unable to come when expected)
Sign in
Work routine: (Explained by the school staff and on-the-job-training provided)
Familiarize yourself with the rules and routines of the school and classroom.
Please ask questions if unsure about a direction or routine.
Respect the teaching learning process by not using your volunteer time for an
informal parent-teacher conference or conversation.
Be aware that the staff room is often a workroom for teachers and children
are not allowed in this area.
When volunteering in classrooms or on field trips make other arrangements for siblings.
Be open and honest in your communication to the staff and administration. If
you feel a problem exists, help to identify the problem and communicate your
concern directly to a staff member.
As a volunteer you are not expected to be responsible for the actions of the
children or for administering discipline. If a student is disruptive seek
assistance form the teacher or administrator.
Confidentiality
In the course of your volunteer work at our school, you may learn
confidential information about students, parents or teachers. You are expected
to keep this information confidential in any setting inside or outside the
school, just as you would wish your own privacy rights to be respected.
There are times when student confidences cannot be kept. If a student
confides a desire to commit suicide to a volunteer, that confidence must be
reported. The guideline to follow is: Any information which, if shared may save
a student from harm will be shared only with teacher and administration who will
in turn share it with parents or authorities.
4. VOLUNTEER CODE OF ETHICS
Confidentiality
A volunteer operates in a position of trust. Personal information pertaining
to students must be kept confidential, as well as conversations between parents,
teachers and students. Please be aware that children may have learning issues.
Please refrain from making judgments regarding students. Keep all observations confidential.
Communication
Always direct other parents’ concerns to the classroom teacher. It is the
school’s responsibility to inform parents of student progress. If problems or
concerns arise, first discuss them with the appropriate staff member, and if
necessary, the Administrative team.
Dependability
The school relies on your support. Follow through on tasks by attending to
scheduled times and please give notice of absence whenever possible.
Respect For Others
Children learn from watching you. Practice patience and understanding toward
the children and staff which helps learners value and apply these qualities.
Role
At all times a volunteer is there to support the needs of the teachers,
students, or program. Observations of staff must never be evaluative in nature,
and tasks should be carried out according to the teacher’s request. Do not
critique or discuss instructional staff with others. If there are concerns,
please contact administration.
Note: It is important that as a volunteer you are realistic about the amount
of time that you can offer the school and what you are unable to handle. Being
at Bridges Academy should be a positive experience; however this may not be
possible if your commitments outweigh the amount of time or energy that you have available.
5. VOLUNTEER APPLICATION
Note: A background check must accompany this application.
Volunteer background check must be signed along with confidentiality statement.
Name: ______________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
Home Phone: ___________________ cell or work: _________________
Email: ______________________________
Areas of strength (what I want to help with):
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Areas I am not comfortable with:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Times and days available:
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
I commit myself to service to this school, and I agree to be bound by the
principles, policies, ethics and procedures contained in the volunteer
handbook.
__________________________________ ______________________________
Signature date
Bridges Academy Volunteer Confidentiality Statement
I understand that any information acquired or observed while volunteering at
Bridges Academy must remain confidential.
All students and families have the right to privacy and I will abide by that.
In addition, I will communicate a positive attitude regarding the school.
Concerns or safety issues will be communicated to administration.
Volunteer Name_______________________________________
Volunteer signature ___________________________________
Date ___________________