Volunteer

Welcome Volunteers!
San Juan Unified values and encourages the assistance of parents, guardians and other members of the community in sharing their special knowledge and abilities as volunteers.

Introduction

We partner with our San Juan Unified community in setting high expectations for academic achievement rooted in equity and unity to create supportive learning experiences in which all students, families and staff can excel and thrive.

Professional Standards

All volunteers shall abide by these professional standards:

• Volunteers shall act honestly and ethically while in the performance of their volunteer duties.

• Volunteers shall treat all fellow volunteers, students, family members, campus guests, employees and community members with respect, courtesy and dignity.

• Volunteers shall not discriminate, shall be respectful of each individual’s personal identity and shall honor the district’s nondiscrimination policy.

• Volunteers shall refrain from wearing clothing that displays obscene language or material.

• Volunteers shall not harass, bully, or mistreat others.

• Volunteers shall follow all applicable local, state and federal laws as well as board policies and administrative regulations, while acting on behalf of the district, a school or a program, including all laws and regulations that govern appropriate conduct in the workplace.

• Volunteers shall deter wrongdoing and ensure accountability for adherence to the Code of Conduct.

• Volunteers shall assist and cooperate with all district investigations.

• Volunteers shall report violations or suspected violations of the Code of Conduct. Violations should be reported to the assigned staff partner or volunteer@sanjuan.edu. 

• Volunteers shall seek assistance if they have questions about any volunteer guidelines, including the Code of Conduct. If a staff member or volunteer has any questions or concerns about the Code of Conduct or wishes to file a formal complaint, they may contact volunteer@sanjuan.edu or the Family and Community Engagement (FACE) office at (916) 971-7929. 

Adherence to Policies

San Juan Unified develops policies, procedures and guidelines with input from both staff and volunteers and with consultation from legal, finance and risk management experts; our policies, procedures, and guidelines are updated regularly as new situations emerge. Both volunteers and staff are expected to comply with district policies including but not limited to those described in this document, board policies and administrative regulations. Failure to follow policy requirements may be grounds for disqualification from volunteer service.

Volunteers may be asked to complete paperwork, provide updated information (including proof of insurance), or complete a criminal background check for certain volunteer roles. Failure to complete these requirements may disqualify a volunteer from serving in a particular role. If appropriate based on the circumstances, volunteers who are disqualified for a volunteer role may have the option to explore other volunteer opportunities with their staff partner or the Volunteer Support Team.

Honoring Time

Volunteers, staff, students and families each dedicate time to activities of our schools and programs and each are expected to honor the time and commitment of others by meeting when agreed upon, arriving for meetings and events on time and staying on task. 

Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use

School-related activities must be conducted free from the influence of alcohol, marijuana and illegal drugs. In addition, these substances may not be possessed, used or distributed on district premises. 

Use of tobacco or e-cigarettes in district or school offices, district or school premises, in vehicles, at school-related events and functions and while representing the district, a school or program at any time or function is prohibited.

A volunteer cannot report to school-related activities impaired, nor should a volunteer smell of marijuana per the expectation for scents and hygiene in the workplace and at school-related events.

If a volunteer’s personal vehicle is parked on district grounds, the rules governing a drug-free school apply. If a volunteer parks in a private lot not under the control of the district, the volunteer is subject to any applicable restrictions of the property owner and the laws applicable to substances in vehicles.

Confidentiality 

During the course of their duties, volunteers may have access to, deal with, or become aware of confidential student information. This information must be kept strictly confidential. Any breach of confidentiality will result in disciplinary action up to and including the termination of volunteer services.

Disqualification and/or Removal

San Juan Unified is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for both students, families, staff, community members and volunteers. Volunteers who do not comply with the Code of Conduct may be subject to disciplinary action, including and up to disqualification from volunteer service.

How do I find volunteer opportunities?
Volunteers should contact the school site or department of interest directly for information regarding volunteer opportunities. A volunteer is an unpaid person who assists under the direct or indirect supervision of a district employee. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Regularly scheduled classroom support including teacher student interns

• Field trip chaperone or *driver

• After-School program support

Who needs to complete the volunteer verification process?
Visitors and observers are not considered volunteers, do not need to complete the verification or be fingerprinted. Visitors or observers are parents/guardians and other interested members of the community that are invited to campus on an occasional basis for a specific purpose with staff supervision or for extracurricular events such as:

• Parent/teacher conferences

• School-wide events, Open House, student performances, class parties, etc.

• Program presenters

• Classroom observations

What is required to volunteer in public schools?
Verification is for all school sites and only needs to be completed once. All volunteers, regardless of the type of volunteer experience they will be participating in, must complete the verification process.

Volunteers who work directly with students, *drive/accompany students on field trips or may be left unsupervised with students for any amount of time are required to be fingerprinted as part of a criminal background check and must be cleared as a volunteer from the District prior to contact with students. Volunteers are held to the same standards as all district employees. State law restricts involvement of people with convictions for sexual crimes, drug crimes, or serious or violent felonies.

Volunteers and visitors are required to follow school procedures and emergency health protocol in accordance with district policy, state and local laws. Volunteers and visitors shall register immediately upon entering any school building or grounds during school business hours and sign out when leaving.

Early Childhood Education/Preschool sites may require proof of immunization and TB test.

What is required to drive for a field trip?
Drivers must be at least 21 years of age, are required to complete an auto usage form through the school office, have a valid California Driver’s License and appropriate automobile insurance.

Is there a cost for fingerprinting and what do I need for a background review?
Fingerprinting services are available at no cost, by appointment at the district office. Former district employees and those verified by other organizations will also need to be fingerprinted.

A valid photo ID is required for fingerprinting. Proof of residency/citizenship is not required for individuals to volunteer. If you decline to complete a background review you will not be allowed to transport students for field trips or athletic events and your clearance level will be restricted to volunteering under certificated supervision.

Is my background review confidential?
Background reports contain highly sensitive information and are treated as such. Specific information contained in the report is limited to the Superintendent’s designee in order to designate an appropriate clearance level and is not shared.

What if I disagree with my clearance level?
To appeal your clearance level email fphr@sanjuan.edu or call (916) 971-7658
If you wish to obtain a copy of your criminal history record, you may contact the Department of Justice Record Review Office at (916) 227-3835 or access the required forms at https://oag.ca.gov/fingerprints/record-review

A Valid photo ID is required for fingerprinting.

Acceptable primary forms of photo identification include any of the following:

• California Driver's License

• Department of Motor Vehicles Identification Card

• Out-of-state driver's license

In the absence of a primary form of identification one of the following may be used, but only with two of the supplemental documents noted below:

• State government issued Certificate of Birth

• U.S. Active Duty/Retired/Reservist Military Identification Card (000 10-2)

• U.S. Passport

• Federal government Personal Identity Verification Card (PIV)

• Department of Defense Common Access Card 5

• U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs Identification Card

• Social Security Card

• Court Order for Name/Gender Change, /Adoption/Divorce

• Marriage Certificate (Government issued certificate)

• U.S. Government issued Consular Report of Birth Abroad 3

• Foreign Passport with appropriate immigration document(s)

• Certificate of Citizenship (N560)

• Certificate of Naturalization (N550)

• INS I-551 Resident Alien Card issued since 1997

• INS 1-688 Temporary Resident Identification Card

• INS I-688B, I-766 Employment Authorization Card

Supplemental documents required with secondary forms of ID:

• Utility bill (address)

• Jurisdictional voter registration card

• Vehicle registration card/title

• Paycheck stub with name/address

• Spouse/parent affidavit

• Cancelled check or bank statement

• Mortgage documents

Staff/Volunteer Personal Automobile Use Form

Student Personal Automobile Use Form