Parent Volunteer Hours
Parents are asked to volunteer a minimum of 20 service hours for one child, or 30 service hours for two or more children per family each school year (or prorated to one hour a month for students enrolling after the school year has begun).
To volunteer in classrooms, volunteers are encouraged to be part of the Volunteer Program. These programs provide an overview of acceptable practices for classroom volunteers.
It is suggested that a minimum of 2 hours of volunteer service be spent working on school fundraisers and special activities.
Parents will receive volunteer time for attending workshops, general parent meetings, and events conducted in the school.
Volunteer Guidelines:
Volunteers may contact Coweta Charter Academy to offer services to assist in the educational process. Training of volunteers is the responsibility of the school administration. The school will determine the level of the volunteer’s planned activities using the table below:
Level 1
Level 1 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have limited, supervised contact with students. Examples include, but are not limited to, classroom visitors, speakers, etc. At no time, are these volunteers left alone with students. Level 1 volunteers must take Mandated Reporter training and FERPA training prior to volunteering.
Level 2
Level 2 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have supervised, direct interaction with students. When Level 2 volunteers interact with students, a Coweta Charter Academy employee must be present at all times. On rare occasions or in case of an emergency, if the employee is not available to supervise, no fewer than two adult volunteers must be present with students at all times. Examples of Level 2 volunteers include parents/guardians volunteering to chaperone a field trip, classroom tutors, media center volunteers, band parents, field trip, fall fair, booster club parents, etc. Level 2 Volunteers must have a background check on file, take the mandated reporter training and FERPA training prior to their involvement with the school.
Level 3
Level 3 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have direct, unsupervised interaction with students. Written permission is required for any student to be under the supervision of a Level 3 volunteer. Examples of Level 3 volunteers include chaperones on overnight field trips and mentors who work with students outside of the supervision of school personnel. Level 3 Volunteers must have a background check on file, take the mandated reporter training and FERPA training prior to their involvement with the school.
Requirements for Volunteers
- Level 1 volunteers should sign in at the office, obtain a visitor’s badge, and follow all school rules. Level 1 volunteers are required to take the mandated reporter training and FERPA training prior to involvement with students.
- Level 2 volunteers must adhere to Level 1 requirements, sign the Coweta Charter Academy Expectations, provide a background check, provide mandated reporter training certificate, FERPA training certificate and complete and sign the Volunteer Release Form. School staff will check the volunteers’ names in the Georgia and federal sex offender registries. School administrators will have the discretion to move to Level 3 screening at any time.
- Level 3 volunteers must adhere to Level 1 and 2 requirements, be fingerprinted, and have a criminal background check on file prior to service. Background checks must be submitted thirty days prior for review to the event. Level 3 volunteers must be approved by school personnel and the Superintendent prior to participating in activities involving direct, unsupervised interaction with students.
General Guidelines for All Volunteers
- All volunteers must sign in and out of the office, obtain a visitor’s badge, and wear it at all times.
- All volunteers must abide by school rules and procedures at all times.
- Additionally, Level 2 and 3 volunteers must have on file at the school the required background check information, evidence that the volunteer has completed any required training, as well as a signed copy of the Expectations of Coweta Charter Academy Volunteers and a completed Volunteer Release Form.
Authority of School Administrators
School administrators with justified concerns have the authority to exclude individuals from participating in volunteer activities in their schools. Volunteers, including parents, who are excluded from Level 2 or 3 volunteer activities due to a disqualifying offense on the background check or sex offender registry may not participate in Level 1 volunteer activities. Parents/guardians who are excluded from volunteer activities may attend public events at the school such as Parent-Teacher Organization meetings and student performances.
Expectations of Coweta Charter Academy Volunteers
All volunteers are expected to:
- Sign in to obtain a visitor’s badge and wear it at all times when volunteering.
- Complete required training and report concerns accordingly.
- Make decisions based on what is best for students in all cases.
- Remain in sight of school personnel at all times. Utilize public spaces for tutoring and mentoring.
- Refrain from contact with students outside of the school day.
- Maintain honest, equitable, professional relationships with students, parents, staff members, community members, and other volunteers.
- Observe local, state, and federal laws, policies, rules, and regulations.
- Maintain confidentiality of privileged information.
- Refrain from using school contacts and privileges to promote partisan politics or propaganda of any kind.
- Comply with appropriate standards of professional conduct including, but not limited to, displaying appropriate behavior, language, and attire at all times.