Tomball ISD Volunteer Guidelines
Tomball ISD recognizes and appreciates the integral role our volunteers play in the District’s ongoing ability to provide the premier educational environment our students and families expect and deserve. In order to ensure safety and promote consistent procedures on our campuses, please read the following guidelines carefully.
General Requirements for All Volunteer Positions
• Attend orientation and training sessions appropriate to the type of volunteer service given.
• Work under the direction and supervision of a teacher or other member of the school staff.
• Abide by all campus rules and procedures; District rules, procedures, and policies; and all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Role of Volunteers
• Volunteers will serve in the capacity of helpers and not be assigned to roles requiring specific professional training.
• Volunteers will refrain from discussing the performance or actions of any student except with the student’s teacher, counselor, or principal.
• Volunteers will work under the direction of school staff, recognizing that instructing, supervising, grading, and disciplining students are school staff responsibilities. Volunteers will refer any observed instructional, social, emotional, or medical problem of a student to an appropriate District employee.
Code of Conduct/Expectations for Professionalism
• Adhere to campus check-in/check-out procedures.
• Wear volunteer identification at all times while on campus so you are identifiable for the safety of students and staff.
• Dress in a manner that reflects an appearance appropriate for the position for which they will be volunteering and that sets a positive example for students. All volunteers shall observe modesty, appropriateness, and neatness in clothing and personal appearance.
• Serve as a good role model for students in behavior, attitude, and speech. Professionalism, courtesy, and flexibility are all expectations of a Tomball ISD volunteer.
• Respect the time of school staff. All personal concerns should be addressed at a scheduled conference between the parent and staff member.
• School equipment/resources should not be used for personal purposes.
• Make sure your cell phone is silenced while on campus.
Confidentiality
• As part of assigned duties, volunteers may have access at times to certain confidential information of students/parents. At all times, volunteers must abide by all laws, rules, regulations, and policies regarding confidentiality of student information, including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1232g.
• Volunteers must not disclose, use, or disseminate confidential or personal information about students, parents, or staff members.
• Volunteers shall not use their personal cell phone or any other electronic device to take photos or videos of students, nor shall volunteers post photos or videos of students to personal social media accounts or transmit by text, email, or any other method to a third party.
Interactions with Students
• Any interactions with students must be consistent with assigned tasks and volunteer duties. Personal interactions with students, other than the volunteer’s own child(ren), inconsistent with volunteer duties are prohibited.
• Volunteers should not be alone with individual students who are not under the supervision of teachers or other school staff.
• Off-campus contact with students is strictly prohibited unless under the direct supervision of school officials.
• Transporting a student in a volunteer’s car is strictly prohibited unless approved by campus administration for a school-sponsored trip.
• Volunteers should only engage in positive interactions with students and refrain from criticism or any demeaning comments.
• Volunteers should only engage in behavior and actions that are in the best personal and educational interest of every student with whom they come into contact.
Removal
• A volunteer may be subject to removal for any violation of any applicable rule, regulation, policy, procedure, or guideline set forth by the campus, Tomball ISD, or state or federal law.
• A volunteer must notify the Volunteer Coordinator in the TISD Department of Human Talent of any change in the volunteer’s criminal history, including, but not limited to, an arrest for any misdemeanor, felony, or drug-related, sex-related, or weapons-related offense. A volunteer will be subject to removal if at any time the volunteer fails to meet the District’s criminal history standards.
• A volunteer must also notify the TISD Volunteer Coordinator of any outside legal restrictions that may interfere with the volunteer’s ability to perform volunteer duties.
• Volunteers may be removed for inappropriate behavior or misconduct that impedes the daily operation of the campus, in the sole discretion of campus or District administration.
• Volunteers may be removed from service from a campus or the District at any time it is deemed necessary and appropriate to do so by campus or District administration.
I understand that by accepting a volunteer position with Tomball ISD that I am subject to all District rules, regulations, policies, and procedures, including the Volunteer Guidelines contained herein. I agree to abide by all such rules, policies, procedures, and guidelines, and understand that failure to do so may result in revocation of my volunteer status with the District.
One or more of the volunteer activities you have selected may require you to provide your United States social security number so we can perform a criminal background check. Your social security number will only be used for this purpose and we do not retain this information.
