ADDitions Volunteers

Questions about volunteering - Contact our Parent Liaison - Mrs. Iris Marquez at 407-249-6360, ext.3582238 or email [email protected]

ADDitions is the name given by the Orange County Public Schools to its school volunteer program. Volunteers enhance the education of our students by providing enrichment and individual attention. Here, at Little River, our volunteers work in our classrooms with small groups and individual students. They assist teachers with the preparation of educational materials. They assist in the Media Center and with our technology program. They accompany students on field trips and present information and special programs to our students. We also have volunteers, both stay-at-home and working parents, who prepare materials at home. Volunteers supplement the work of classroom teachers and school staff by providing an extra pair of hands to help meet students' needs. More Information can be found on the OCPS volunteering website at http ://volunteer.ocps.net

ADDitions School Volunteers

Enrich the Curriculum by sharing their skills and expertise with students and teachers

Provide Individual Assistance to students who need extra attention

Assist Teachers with non-instructional tasks to allow them to spend more time planning and delivering instruction

Provide Adult Role Models for students by generously sharing their time and talents

How Do I Become a Volunteer?

You must fill out ADDitions volunteer application at http://volunteer.ocps.net.

Do I have to sign in?

In accordance with OCPS rules, all persons on campus are required to sign in at the Office upon arrival. Our Volunteer sign-in area is located directly to the right inside the Office main door.

Please wear an ADDitions badge while on campus. It identifies you to our staff and students as a member of our team.

Please also record your hours volunteered here or at home. These hours are tallied monthly and submitted to the school district. Totals of volunteer hours are used in meeting criteria for the Golden School Award and the Five Star School Award.

Responsibilities of Volunteers

Be prompt, dependable and regular in attendance. Please call if you cannot attend on your scheduled day.

Support and supplement the instructional program of the classroom teacher.

Understand and accept all students.

Communicate regularly with the teacher or staff member with whom you work.

Be careful to ensure that a child's work and behavior in school is held in confidence.

Know and observe all policies and procedures in our school, i.e. fire drills, reporting accidents, lunchroom routine, student restroom privileges.

Discuss concerns that may arise with the teacher or ADDitions Coordinator.

Remember you are a role model for the students.

Refer all discipline concerns to a school staff member. Volunteers are asked to never discipline a student themselves.

An Ideal Volunteer

Is friendly, reliable, flexible, young or old, rich or poor.

Has a professional attitude and interest and enthusiasm for working with young people.

Has the ability to work cooperatively with teachers and school staff.

Volunteers on a regular basis.

Recognizes that well-educated students are our greatest natural resource.

Has or is willing to acquire the skills that are needed to volunteer in the schools.

Has the time and willingness to serve.

Understands the role of the teacher to determine appropriate instructional goals for students.

Tips for Volunteers

Be honest in your approach and attitude. Students will trust and respect you when they know you are sincere.

Be patient when working with students. Give yourself time to get established and find your niche.

Be fair. Avoid comparisons between students, teachers and schools.

Be flexible in adapting to special situations.

Be consistent. Apply the same rules every day to every student.

Be considerate. Treat individuals with respect and courtesy and expect the same in return.

Be friendly. You can accomplish miracles with a smile and a "thank you".

Hints for Working with Students

A student's name is very important. Make sure you say the student's name the way the student wants it said. The same goes for correct spelling. It says to the student "You are important and I have taken the time to know this about you."

Show that you are interested in the student as a person. Listen carefully to what the student has to say. By your words and actions, let your student know you care.

Meet the unexpected needs of your student by being creative.

If you must be absent, call the school. Both teachers and students count on your assistance and will miss you, but they will be reassured that you cared enough to call.

Students make mistakes. Let them know that making mistakes is a part of learning. Do not be afraid of making mistakes yourself.

Build the student's self-esteem. Praise your student honestly and frequently. Remember attentiveness and effort can be as important as performance.

Keep the progress of each student a confidential matter between you and the student's teacher.

Most Importantly "Thank You" for caring about and helping our students at Little River Elementary School!