Volunteers play an important role in the quality of life in all the Tredyffrin/Easttown Schools. The assistance and support they offer to the staff and the students is invaluable and their contributions are part of what make our schools special. The following volunteer guidelines have been developed to assist you in serving in this unique function. Offering to volunteer in any district school assumes your understanding and agreement with these guidelines. Concerns or questions about the guidelines or volunteer assignments should be referred to the TESD Coordinator of Volunteer Services at (610) 240-1913.
Volunteer Clearances
Effective July 1, 2016, revisions to the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law will require school volunteers (any adults serving in unpaid positions in the District) who have regular and repeated contact with students and who are responsible for care, supervision, guidance or control of children to have background clearances on file before volunteering in-person with children. Please see our Volunteer Clearances page for more information.
Confidentiality
Information you may see or hear can affect the lives and futures of individual students. Volunteers must respect the privacy of this information and maintain the same in strict confidence. The same standard of confidentiality applies to policy statements, policy statements, school procedures and district reports.
Relations with Students
Volunteers are viewed by students and parents as representatives of the School Board and the School Administration, and are perceived by the students as authority figures. When issues or problems of a controversial nature are raised by students, volunteers are placed in a difficult position. While working in a volunteer capacity or at-school related activities, however, volunteers must refrain from debating, discussing or imposing their opinions on students about personal or controversial issues.
Responsibility for Students
Teachers bear the ultimate responsibility for the welfare of students during school activities. When working with students or chaperoning field trips or school activities, parent volunteers must report all incidents of inappropriate behavior or situations in which students might be in danger to the teacher in charge of the activity.
Attendance
School personnel depend upon and plan for the assistance of the volunteers on a regular basis. Volunteers encouraged to notify the various personnel with whom they work as far as in advance as possible if they are unable to help in their regular time slot.