Columbia County Schools Volunteer Application

We appreciate your interest in volunteering for the Columbia County School District. In order to become registered in our system, simply complete and submit a volunteer application. Once you are approved, you will receive instructions on next steps. It is very important that the information you enter on the application matches your government issued identification card including your full legal name. All information collected on the application will remain confidential and not be shared outside the volunteer program.

Please review Columbia County Schools volunteer responsibilities. 

What are your responsibilities?

• Sign in at the front office and get a volunteer name badge- must show ID

• Let your supervising teacher know when you will (or will not) be there

• Dress appropriately

• Become familiar with safety policies such as fire drills

• Complete tasks asked by the teacher and ask for help if you have questions

• Get to know the students and how their classroom works

What are NOT your responsibilities?

• You should NOT discipline students. Remember that reminding students of rules is not a form of discipline.

• You should NOT give medicine.

• You should NOT discuss grades with anyone else. This may be grading that is completed with the teacher or grades that you see as you are completing housekeeping responsibilities.

If you have any questions about the application, please email swisherd@columbiak12.com
Thank you,
District Volunteer Coordinator

Dianna Swisher

swisherd@columbiak12.com

Personal Information

Please select the schools at which you wish to volunteer

Please select the functions from the list below. (select all that apply)

Please select the organization(s) on behalf of which you are volunteering (if not applicable, select "None")

Please read the disclaimer below and provide your signature

Prohibition from Volunteer Service

1. A.      Category One - Felony sexual-related crimes, lewd and lascivious crimes, felony child

   abuse crimes, other crimes involving moral turpitude and, for instructional personnel, crimes listed in F.S. 1012.315

    

   The  District will not consider an applicant who has been convicted of a Category One offense.

    

1. B.      Category Two - Felony crimes of violence and felony sale or other involvement in the distribution of controlled substances.

    

   The District will not approve the applicant if the conviction for a Category Two offense was within the last ten (10) years.

    

1. C.       Category Three -  Other felony crimes (not included in category one or two above); misdemeanor crimes of a sexual nature (not involving children); and misdemeanor crimes related to children.

    

   The district will not approve the applicant if the applicant if the conviction for category Three offense was within the last three (3) years.

   Consideration for Volunteer Applicants with Criminal Backgrounds

    

   If an applicant has been convicted of crime but is no longer prohibited from addition to the volunteer lost pursuant to the above guidelines, the Superintendent or designee will carefully review the application and consider the conviction(s) and any other relevant factors before determining whether the applicant will be considered for the volunteer list. The administration reserves the right to deny a volunteer application if it is determined to be in the best interest of maintaining a safe and orderly educational environment. 

    

   Relevant factors include, but are not limited to:  

    

1. Severity of the offense(s);
2. Multiple convictions;
3. Disclosure of offense;
4. Whether the offense was an isolated or repeated violation;
5. Amount of time that has passed since the most recent conviction;
6. Circumstances under which the offense(s) occurred;
7. Age of the applicant when the crime was committed;
8. Evidence of rehabilitation;
9. Compliance with conditions of probation/parole.

Volunteer Orientation

Volunteer Guidelines

Welcome to our Volunteer Program! We are thrilled to have you join us and contribute to the growth and development of our students. Here are some guidelines and responsibilities to help you get started. 

What are your responsibilities?

1. Sign In and Identification: Upon arrival, please sign in at the front office and obtain a volunteer name badge. You must show your ID for verification. 
2. Communication: Inform your supervising teacher of your schedule, including when you will or will not be available. 
3. Dress Code: Dress appropriately to maintain a professional and respectful environment. 
4. Safety Policies: Familiarize yourself with safety policies, including fire drills and emergency procedures. 
5. Task Completion: Complete tasks assigned by the teacher and do not hesitate to ask for help if you have any questions. 
6. Student Interaction: Get to know the students and understand how their classroom functions to support them effectively. 

What are NOT your responsibilities? 

1. Disciplining Students: You should not discipline students. Reminding them of rules is acceptable but does not constitute discipline. 
2. Administering Medicine: You are not authorized to give any form of medication to students. 
3. Discussing Grades: Do not discuss grades with anyone. This includes grades you might see while assisting with tasks. 

Thank you for your dedication and willingness to make a positive impact. We look forward to a successful and rewarding experience together! 

Your volunteer application has been successfully submitted and will be reviewed per the district’s volunteer policy. In the near future, you will be notified as to your volunteer status.