School district relies on volunteers

From help in the classroom to chaperoning field trips, the Sisters School District relies heavily on volunteers.

Last week, the district called those volunteers together for a formal orientation. The orientation, held at the district administration offices, is part of a formalizing of volunteer relationships with the district.

As a matter of law and policy, the district is requiring a background check for any volunteer who has the opportunity to be alone with students - which essentially includes everybody.

Volunteers also need to receive the orientation information and at least one more session is planned, according to Corinne Pray, one of the district volunteer coordinators.

The orientation information includes volunteer responsibilities and restrictions. For example, Pray said, if a student gets a nosebleed, a volunteer doesn't just pinch his nose and take him to the nurse. Proper procedures must be followed so that any blood gets cleaned up, reducing the risk of spreading blood-borne pathogens.

Orientation also explains mandatory reporting requirements that require anyone affiliated with the district to report evidence of child abuse.

Orientation provides volunteers with the knowledge and tools they need to be comfortable in their role, Pray said.

"If they come across this, they'll know what to do and not be intimidated," she said. "It all boils down to safety in the schools."

Pray emphasized that the requirements are nothing new; the district is just become strict about enforcement of policies - and they apply to everyone, even if they've been working with the district for years. The only policy that is new is a requirement to sign an oath of confidentiality.

"All volunteers need to have this training," Pray said.

If a volunteer has not received orientation training, he or she may contact the school district office at 549-8521 to make arrangements.

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Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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