2020-2021
VIPS Volunteer Guidelines
UPDATED April 6, 2021
The health and well-being of all staff, students and visitors is a top priority for Volusia County Schools. Due to COVID-19, volunteer opportunities have been very limited this school year. Now that the CDC guidelines for physical distancing in schools have been relaxed to 3 feet, we are excited to welcome a limited number of volunteers back in schools beginning April 12, 2021.
This is part of VCS’ gradual reopening of some activities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, while continuing to follow guidelines to keep students, employees, and volunteers safe.
- All activities using volunteers will follow CDC guidelines. The number of volunteers will be limited to ensure adherence to the physical distancing limitation, and no large gatherings will be permitted.
- wearing a face covering/mask
- frequent handwashing
- maintaining a physical distance of at least 3 feet
- staying home when sick
- Classroom teachers will be permitted to utilize a limited number of volunteers in their classrooms.
- Volunteers must never be alone with students.
- Volunteers must be within the line of sight of a teacher or VCS employee.
- Students may be matched with mentors for face-to-face meetings.
- Mentors must be trained by the school or VIPS Department before being matched.
- Students must have a signed parent permission form on file (“forever letter” that is valid until permission is withdrawn).
- Every volunteer must have an approved application on file to volunteer.
- Each year, all volunteer applications expire on June 30.
- If a new application was not submitted for the 2020-21 school year, volunteers must reapply. Approvals will be valid through June 30, 2021.
- VCS has strict safety and security practices and requires volunteers to sign in on the visitor management system (Raptor kiosk) or at the front desk. When visiting a school for the first time, a drivers license or other form of official government identification must be provided.
It is very important that the information you enter on the application matches your government issued identification card including your full legal name. It is important that you provide a valid email address so you can be notified as to the status of your application and for future communication.
The first time you volunteer at a school, please be prepared to have your ID scanned into our system.
Thank you,
District Volunteer Coordinator