Volunteer

Position Summary

The School Volunteer supports the mission and ministry of DA Schools by assisting faculty, staff, administrators, and students in a variety of school-related activities. Volunteers may serve in classrooms, offices, student activities, athletics, events, libraries, maintenance, technology, or other areas as approved by the school.

Volunteers are expected to model Christian character, demonstrate professionalism, maintain appropriate boundaries with students, and contribute positively to the school's educational and spiritual environment.

Mission Alignment

The volunteer is expected to support the school's mission of providing Christ-centered education to students from diverse cultural and national backgrounds. Volunteers should demonstrate a personal commitment to Christian values and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the school's statement of faith, policies, and community standards.

Primary Responsibilities

Depending on the area of service, responsibilities may include:

• Assisting teachers and staff with classroom activities and preparation.
• Providing general administrative or organizational assistance.
• Supporting school events, programs, assemblies, and activities.
• Assisting with athletics, clubs, field trips, or extracurricular activities as approved.
• Helping with library, facilities, communications, or other school operations.
• Assisting students with appropriate school-related activities under the direction of school personnel.
• Preparing, organizing, or distributing instructional and administrative materials.
• Supporting special projects or short-term needs identified by the school.
• Performing other duties appropriate to the volunteer's skills and approved by the supervising staff member.

Student Interaction and Supervision

Volunteers who work with students must:

• Follow all school policies and procedures concerning student safety and supervision.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students at all times.
• Never place themselves in a situation that violates the school's student protection or safeguarding policies.
• Communicate student concerns to the appropriate teacher, administrator, or designated safeguarding personnel rather than attempting to handle serious concerns independently.
• Follow school procedures regarding transportation, photography, communication with students, social media, and electronic devices.

Confidentiality

Volunteers may encounter confidential or sensitive information regarding students, families, employees, or school operations. Volunteers are expected to maintain strict confidentiality and may not disclose, copy, photograph, distribute, or otherwise misuse confidential information.

Confidential information may include, but is not limited to:

• Student academic records.
• Student behavioral or disciplinary information.
• Special education or learning support information.
• Medical or health information.
• Family or personal information.
• Employee information.
• School security information.
• Financial or administrative information.
• School documents, plans, or other information designated as confidential.

Confidentiality requirements continue after the volunteer's service with the school ends.

Christian Conduct and Professional Expectations

Volunteers are expected to:

• Demonstrate Christian character and integrity.
• Treat students, parents, faculty, staff, and fellow volunteers with dignity and respect.
• Respect the cultural, national, and denominational diversity represented within the school community.
• Follow the school's policies, procedures, and administrative direction.
• Dress appropriately and professionally for the assigned area of service.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries with students and colleagues.
• Refrain from conduct that could negatively affect the safety, reputation, or mission of the school.
• Represent the school positively both on and off campus when acting in a volunteer capacity.

Qualifications

Specific qualifications will depend upon the volunteer assignment. Generally, volunteers should:

• Demonstrate maturity, reliability, and good judgment.
• Be able to work cooperatively with students and adults from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate a willingness to support the school's Christian mission.
• Possess the skills or experience appropriate to the assigned volunteer responsibilities.
• Successfully complete any required application, screening, background check, training, or safeguarding requirements.

Supervision

Volunteers serve under the direction and supervision of the staff member or administrator assigned to oversee their work. Volunteers should not independently make decisions regarding student discipline, academic placement, medical care, school policy, or other matters outside the scope of their assignment.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

The safety and well-being of students is a primary responsibility of the school. Volunteers are required to comply with all school safeguarding and child-protection policies and procedures.

Any concern regarding possible abuse, neglect, harassment, inappropriate conduct, or a student's safety must be reported immediately through the school's established reporting procedures.