October 2020

Volunteer Website Volunteer Coordinators VIPS FL Department of Education

All New Volunteer Coordinator Newsletter Welcome! This newsletter is designed to keep you updated on everything pertaining to volunteers. I hope you find the content informative and useful. Please let me know what I can do to help you during this unprecedented time.  Unfortunately, volunteers are not allowed on school campuses until further notice, due to COVID-19. In the meantime, please encourage volunteers to provide assistance remotely. There are many ways to do this; through social media, school newsletters, and fundraising just to name a few.  As a way of getting to know each other and to share our ideas, I'm hosting a Google Meet on three upcoming dates: Wednesday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, October 29 at 10:00 a.m., or Friday, October 30 at 2:00 p.m. Pick one day that works best for you, and let's chat! Please note that participation in these meetings is not required. They're completely optional and simply a nice way to interact, for anyone that's interested. Click here to go to the calendar and add yourself to the meeting of your choice. Please know you can always reach out to me at 561-738-2780, or by sending me an email at stacey.oak@palmbeachschools.org, if you have any questions, issues, concerns, or just want to say hello. I'm wishing everyone a peaceful and safe school year, and I look forward to continuing the great volunteer work we do in the School District of Palm Beach County. Stacey

What's New - DOE Updates Per the Florida Department of Education for FY21: The Florida Department of Education recognizes that volunteers and community partners serve as a valuable resource to schools, students, families, teachers, and staff. Although many districts are considering ways to use volunteers, mentors, and community partnerships to support students and schools in the upcoming school year, safety remains our number one priority. Due to COVID-19 and its implications on our school systems, we will not acknowledge the following statewide initiatives, awards, and recognition programs facilitated by the Bureau of Family and Community Outreach:   • Five Star School Award • Golden School Award • Silver School Award • Outstanding School Volunteer* • Family and Community Involvement Award *Please note: the School District of Palm Beach County will acknowledge outstanding school volunteers. The application is due Friday, December 4, 2020.

Volunteer Coordinator Training The training through eLearning is mandatory for all school-based volunteer coordinators. The training course provides participants with strategies and guiding principles that help enrich the School District Volunteer Program. Follow these steps to access the training: • Click the PeopleSoft tile in the Portal. • Click My eLearning. • Click Find Learning on the left-hand side. • In the search bar, type: Volunteer Coordinator Training. • Click the Enroll button to sign up for the course.

Policies and Procedures Be sure to read Policy 2.065 Visitation Protocols on District Property Due to COVID-19. Always have your new volunteers complete an application on VIPS. Make sure they sign in and out every time they are working at a school. And always have each of your volunteers show their ID at the front desk so it can be scanned through Raptor for a background check.

Awards Crosspointe Elementary School received a 2019-2020 Family and Community Involvement Award from the Florida Department of Education, for its Social-Emotional Learning Across the Community initiatives. The award promotes and recognizes innovative school practices that increase family and community involvement. Volunteer Coordinator of the Year Virtual Surprise Congratulations to our Volunteer Coordinator of the Year, Charrie Gordon of Northmore Elementary School! Since we couldn't honor her in person this year, District Volunteer Coordinator Stacey Oak along with Northmore administrators and staff members, surprised her with the award during a virtual meeting. Thank you Ms. Gordon, for all you've done and continue to do for our students!

Timeline of Events Our Volunteer website has a Timeline of Events, along with a list of events from the Florida Department of Education Family and Community Outreach Calendar, as well as from the Volunteers and Business Partnerships Calendar. All dates and events are subject to change.