In addition, room parents have additional guidelines related to their very special roles. Please review the Room Parent information at the bottom of this page.
As a volunteer, you are required by law to protect the confidentiality of all student information that you see or hear while volunteering. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), a federal law, as well as state regulations, protect student information. It is essential that you are careful not to divulge any confidential information that has been received during your time spent volunteering at school.
If you should become aware of information regarding a student that you feel needs to be shared, concerns should be directed to a school administrator. The school administrator will determine to whom this information will be disseminated.
In an effort to support a school environment that is conducive to learning, volunteers are not permitted to bring a child or children with them to volunteer.
Adult restrooms are located in the back hallway behind the media center and next to the technology classroom. Volunteers are asked not to use student restrooms or the faculty lounge.
All meetings/conferences with staff must be scheduled in advance and may not occur during time with students (including arrival/dismissal times). Please do not attempt to conference with your child's teacher(s) during your volunteer time.
We look forward to having you volunteer! If you are scheduled to volunteer on any given day and are unable to be at school, please call the office as soon as possible.
Parent volunteers who are working on non-instructional tasks (clerical/cut and paste activities, etc.) are to work in the center areas of each team. Only parents who are working with small groups or individual students supporting instruction are to be in the classroom.
Child abuse and child neglect are against the law. Educators, health care workers, police officers, etc. are required by law to report suspected abuse or neglect. In addition, school volunteers, community members, and others are expected to report if there is a reason to believe that abuse or neglect possibly occurred. Reports should be made without attempts to do further investigation, interrogation or other verification of the allegation.
Should you have reason to believe that a child is being abused or neglected, contact the Howard County Department of Social Services (DSS) 410-872-4203 or the Police Child Abuse Unit 410-313-2635, or the Maryland State Police 410-386-3000. Speak to the teacher, an administrator, or the child abuse liaison during school hours if you have questions.
If the abuse or suspected abuse of a student involves a staff member, please notify DSS and then a school administrator.