Volunteer Orientation

Per Gaston County Schools District Policy Code: 5010 School Volunteers requires:

• Adequate screening & supervision of volunteers based upon the amount of contact they will have with students.
• Adequate training of volunteers, including familiarizing volunteers with applicable laws, board policies, administrative  procedures and school rules. 

Make sure you have submitted your volunteer application online.

Click “New Volunteer” to access the one-page application. Be sure to click “SUBMIT” to complete the process. Make a note of your login and password for future access.

1. Upon arrival, I will sign in at the main office using the designated computer check-in system. I will use my driver’s license or photo ID to check in.
2. The computer will print a volunteer/visitor identification badge, which I will wear while on school grounds.
3. I will maintain confidentiality about student information outside of school and will share any concerns related to student welfare, safety, or volunteer activity with teachers and/or administrators.
4. I will not disclose, use, or share student photographs or personal information.
5. I agree not to exchange telephone numbers, home addresses, email addresses, or any other directory information with students. I also agree not to contact students outside of school hours.
6. As a volunteer, I understand that I should never be alone with a student and must always remain within sight and sound of a Gaston County Schools staff member.
7. While volunteering at school, I will use designated adult restrooms. When chaperoning field trips, volunteers should work in pairs when escorting students to restroom facilities.
8. I will follow all teacher and staff instructions during fire drills, emergency drills, and lockdown procedures to support school safety.
9. I agree to act in the best personal and educational interests of every child I encounter.
10. I agree to maintain professionalism, respect school policies, and dress appropriately while on school grounds.

By placing your initials in the box below the “Code of Conduct” (Items #1 through #10) on your application, you acknowledge that you accept and will follow this protocol for volunteers. You also understand and agree to a required background check upon submission of your application. Background checks are conducted at no cost to the volunteer.

Be mindful of the content you share on social networking sites. Adjust your privacy settings to help protect your personal information.

Please note that Code of Conduct #5 applies to posting photographs. As a volunteer, you do not have parental permission to post pictures of children who are not your own.

Check in upon arrival:
You will need your driver’s license or other acceptable ID for the Visitor Management System to scan each time you come to volunteer. Insert your ID photo-side up to scan.

An ID badge with your photo and date will be printed, please display badge at all times while visiting the school. Scan the barcode on your printed visitor badge before leaving the building.

Sexual Harassment, as defined in Gaston County Schools Policy Code 1725/4035/7236  and Gaston County Schools Policy Code 1726/4036/7236.

“Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.”

Sexual Harassment Related to Students Occurs When

• There is unreasonable interference with a student’s educational performance.
• It limits a student’s ability to benefit from an educational program or environment.
• It creates an abusive, intimidating, or hostile educational environment.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

• Continued or repeated offensive sexual flirtations, advances, jokes, humorous comments, propositions, or repeated verbal remarks.
• Deliberate, unwelcome touching of a sexual nature.
• Suggestions or demands for sexual involvement accompanied by implied or overt promises of preferential treatment or threats.
• Display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.

Duty to Report Crimes Against Juveniles: (General Statute 14-318.6 and GCS Board Policy 4240)

All adults, including school employees, contractors, and volunteers, are legally required to report:

• When they know or reasonably should know that a child has been the victim of certain crimes, including a “sexual offense” (which means any offense involving inappropriate sexual contact with a child).

Any person who knowingly and willfully fails to report, or prevents another person from reporting, is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

This obligation to report is in addition to any other reporting requirements under the law.

Reports made in good faith are immune from state, civil, or criminal liability.

Sexual harassment by employees, students, and non-employees, including volunteers and visitors, should be reported to a school official (principal or administrator).

The school district has a Title IX coordinator who may also receive reports or concerns.

• Work positively for the good of the school.
• Praise and encourage students.
• Keep student work and information confidential.
• Show consideration for the teacher’s time.

• Make comments harmful to the reputation of any pupil, professional, or other volunteer.
• Get physical with a child.
• Violate confidentiality by sharing information with the community.

Do I have to submit a new application each year?
No. Once you submit an online application, you do not need to resubmit it. You will “reactivate” your application at the beginning of each new school year by logging in with your username and password, reviewing and updating any information (such as adding or deleting schools), and clicking submit.

Do I need to attend an orientation every year?
No. The date you email to confirm you have completed the orientation PowerPoint will be added to your application for future reference. No additional session is needed unless information changes or the district updates policies.

Now that I have completed orientation, when can I begin volunteering?
Volunteer assignments are made at the school level. Contact the school(s) where you plan to serve to discuss your volunteer schedule.

I chose more than one school to volunteer at but only received an email from one saying I am approved. Will I be able to volunteer at the other schools?
Each school principal reviews and approves applications for their school. This is done at different times depending on the principal’s schedule. If you are notified of approval at one school, notifications from additional schools should follow.

Send an email to businesspartnerships@gaston.k12.nc.us.

Include the following:

1. Your name as it appears on your application
2. The date you reviewed the information on this website
3. Include this statement in your email:

“I have read and completed an online volunteer orientation and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct for Volunteers for Gaston County Schools.”

You are now ready to volunteer, contact your selected school to let them know when you're available to volunteer.