Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Cougar Ridge! There are
many ways to get involved. Some opportunities to volunteer happen during the school day;
others are in the evenings. There are ways to volunteer at school and from your home. There are
opportunities to work with adults and work with children. Our volunteers help our school
community thrive!
Here's a
handy checklist to make sure you have what you need.
Let us know your interests by completing a
Volunteer Interest Form.
To protect students, Washington schools have a regimented volunteer process.
Please complete the following forms and return to the school with your
Interest Form:
1.
Request for Background Information
2.
Washington State Patrol Criminal History Request Form
3.
PTSA
Membership Form
4.
Hold Harmless Form: This form is also appropriate for volunteer
minors
Microsoft Parents! Did you know that
Microsoft matches your volunteer hours with the PTSA and Cougar Ridge
Elementary? Here's how
|
|
|
Guidelines for Volunteers at Cougar Ridge
|
Visitors and Volunteers |
|
All parents, community members, volunteers and visitors must sign in and sign out in the office
and wear a Visitor Badge when they are on the school site. It is important that the
office be able to locate family members in the event of an emergency.
|
| Top |
Confidentiality and Student Rights |
|
Confidentiality is of the utmost importance. Please keep all experiences, thoughts and comments
in confidence. Direct any questions to the teacher. Respect the rights of each child in the
same manner you want your child treated.
|
| Top |
Facility Use |
|
If you would like to schedule the use of any room other than your designated classroom during the
school day, please contact Teri Feely in the Cougar Ridge office. All rooms during non-school
hours are scheduled through the district. To check availability of these rooms, please contact
Cindy Schwinden, facilities scheduler at 425-837-7127. You will also need to complete and submit a
Facility Use Application. This form can be obtained in the Cougar Ridge office.
|
| Top |
Field Trips (rev 8/30/06) |
Field trip chaperones are expected to devote their full time and attention to the supervision of
students and to adhere at all times to the following Issaquah School District’s Field Trip
Guidelines for Volunteers:
Field trips are a means of reinforcing and enriching our academic program. It is important
that volunteers know and understand these guidelines and expectations of accompanying students
on school sponsored field trips. Please review the items below and talk to the teacher or
principal if you have any questions.
|
| |
Cell phones
Please do not talk on the phone while supervising students. |
| |
Alcohol or drugs
No volunteer is to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
At no time, from the point of leaving the school until returning to the school and leaving the
premises, is alcohol or drugs to be consumed whether or not you are directly supervising students.
If, in the judgment of school personnel, there is any doubt as to a driver's ability to
perform safely, another driver will be assigned. |
| |
Tobacco
Use of tobacco products is prohibited in the presence of students. |
| |
Accountability for students
The volunteer is responsible for knowing the whereabouts of each child they
are assigned at all times. |
| |
Student behavior
The volunteer is responsible for monitoring the behavior of the students in their group
and be ready to intervene, if necessary. (If you are unsure of the expectations, ask the
classroom teacher). |
| |
Emergencies
If separated from the teacher and an emergency occurs, the volunteer is to use their best
judgement in handling it i.e., call 911. The teacher and the school should be notified as
soon as possible. If the emergency involves an injury, the school staff will contact the
parents of the injured child. |
| |
Arrival back at school
If a volunteer with a group of students arrives back at school before the teacher, let the
office staff know you have returned and then accompany the students to the classroom. Remain
with them until the teacher or staff member takes over. |
| |
Siblings and others
Siblings, friends and other relatives are not allowed to accompany students on the field trip. |
| |
Confidentiality
As with any volunteer assignment, volunteers may not disclose any personally identifiable
student information except to the appropriate school staff. |
|
| Top |
Miscellaneous |
| |
Absences
Volunteers should make every effort to arrive on time and as scheduled. Take into account
time to check in at the office and get visitor badge. If you are unable to volunteer as
scheduled on a particular date, please arrange for a substitute and/or advise your room
parent and teacher as soon as possible. |
| |
Cell Phones
Please refrain from using cell phones at school in any way that could be disruptive to
students or the classroom environment. (Please turn off or put on “silent”.) |
| |
Siblings
Parents are requested to leave siblings at home when volunteering at Cougar Ridge. |
| |
Students
Students need to realize that their parent(s) are at school to help the class and that
after greeting their parent they must continue to work independently. |
| |
Volunteers
Volunteers may be working with children one-on-one in the hall, helping with a small group,
circulating through the whole class, or preparing materials. By helping one child, a small
group, or the teacher, volunteers help the entire class. |
|
| Top |
Office Workroom |
|
All room parents are trained in the use of the office workroom. Room parents
should in turn train the volunteers from their classroom. Please do not use
the workroom for the half hour just before and after school, or at any time
that inconveniences the school staff. Please give teachers priority on all
workroom equipment. Parents are requested to please not bring children into
the workroom. Please limit communication with the office staff during the half
hour before and after school or anytime when their attention must be given
to our children.
Cougar Ridge
Workroom Instructions |
| Top |
Group Gift Policy (NEW for 06/07) |
Parents, students and other interested parties
are encouraged to express their appreciation to teachers and other staff
members at the end of the school year with written letters of
commendation and/or gratitude. It is also encouraged that copies of any
such letters be provided to the principal of Cougar Ridge and the
Issaquah School District superintendent. The giving of group gifts to
teachers or other staff members is left solely to the discretion of the
parents in each classroom. If parents desire to give a group gift,
donations are to be limited to no more than $10.00 per student per
school year. Room parents collecting money for group gifts may not
ask for any specific dollar amount and should advise families that
contributions in excess of $10.00 per student will not be accepted.
It shall be indicated that the group gift is from all children
in the class, regardless of whether or not all families participate
monetarily. It is the responsibility of the room parents in
each classroom to see that these policies are adhered to.
It is
suggested that 20% of the total amount collected in each classroom for
gifts be allotted to gifts for specialists, and that parents be advised
that this amount may be so allotted prior to the collection of gift
money. Room parents are requested to turn any such funds over to the
PTSA Room Parent Coordinator, who will then purchase a gift of
commensurate value for each specialist (defined as instructors for
computer learning, art, music, gym and library). If any parent wishes
not to contribute to the purchase of specialist gifts, it is suggested
that that parent contribute no more than $8.00 for the teacher group
gift.
|
| Top |
Parties and Birthdays |
Cougar Ridge follows the District policy in asking parents not to send party invitations
to school. It is our policy to have three classroom parties: Halloween, Valentine’s Day
and an End-of-the-Year celebration. Halloween costumes may not be worn during the
school day. In addition, no face makeup is allowed. Maximum party length is one
hour and is scheduled at the teacher’s discretion. Party planning, coordination,
set up, activities and clean up is the responsibility of parents and is usually
coordinated by the room parent. The cost of parties is funded by parental donation
with party fund donations not to exceed $5 per student per school year.
Believing that birthdays are very special times but wanting to maximize classroom
instruction time, it is Cougar Ridge’s policy to celebrate only with our monthly birthday
program. A day is chosen each month (check The Weekly and The Outlook for
dates) to honor children whose birthdays occur within that month. Summer birthdays are
celebrated during the child’s “half birthday” month. A special birthday table is set up in
the lunchroom and birthday children are treated to cupcakes provided by volunteers.
Please see the Cougar Ridge Party/Activity Guidelines below for more details
regarding party policy.
|
Cougar Ridge
Party/Activity Guidelines |
The purpose for establishing guidelines for parties, an end of the year activity and birthdays,
is to honor the educational focus of the school day and to be respectful of all
children.
These guidelines have been developed by a joint committee of parents and staff. Parents are
asked to comply with the guidelines. This will prevent the parent, child and staff
member from being placed in an uncomfortable situation.
|
| |
Approved Parties / Activity |
| |
- Halloween Party
- Valentine's Day Party
- End of the Year Celebration
|
| |
Length of Parties/Activity
Each party will take place for a maximum of one hour, excluding setup and cleanup time.
The party time will be scheduled at the teacher’s discretion. The end of the year
activity will be planned by the teacher and room parent. It may be for a longer period
of time. |
| |
Cost of Parties/Activity
The cost of supplies and treats for the parties will be funded through parent participation.
This will either be a one-time donation at the beginning of the year, or the contribution of
items. A designated parent will be responsible for the collection of money and supplies.
Suggested donation not to exceed $5.00 per student per school year. |
| |
Theme of Parties/Activity
Each teacher will discuss with the coordinating parent guidelines regarding food, decorations,
and party activities in his/her classroom. Parents will provide any food and party
specific decorations at the time of the party. Parents are responsible for party setup and
cleanup. |
| |
Location of Parties/Activity
All parties and activities must be conducted within the school building or on school grounds.
The only exception to this policy is the Fifth Grade Picnic. The Fifth Grade Picnic may be
held at Lakemont Park with prior approval of the principal. Other offsite locations are
not permitted. |
| |
Halloween
Halloween costumes will not be worn during the school day. The PTSA may sponsor an after
school trick or treating event where the children will be allowed to wear their costumes
in the school building. |
| |
Birthday Celebration
Once a month the PTSA will provide cupcakes in the lunchroom for those children whose
birthdays are in that month. Summer birthdays will be recognized in their half
birthday month.
Teachers may recognize individuals on their birthday. A birthday pencil, provided by
the PTSA, will be available to the teacher to hand out to that student on his/her
special day.
The exception is kindergarten. At this level the kindergarten teacher(s) will develop
guidelines for his/her class and communicate the guidelines to parents. |
| |
Party/Activity Guidelines revised 09/05/05 |
|
Volunteer Guidelines revised 9/5/05 |
| Top |
| |
