Volunteers at NCISD Must Attend Orientation

Most school districts are just happy to get people to volunteer on their campuses. Volunteers help with the little things, like grading papers, reading to students, making copies and going on field trips. They are little things that amount to a big help in the classroom. However, the days of just showing up or signing up to volunteer are over. Now, volunteers at New Caney Independent School District must go to an orientation meeting and get a criminal background check.

“We’re trying to protect students,” says Karen Stephens, NCISD Volunteer Orientation
Coordinator. The District wants to be certain it knows who is working closely with students. Any person who could at some point be alone with students without the supervision of a teacher must go through this volunteer orientation.

“I thought it was a very, very good idea,” says parent Christina Baker. She is no stranger to volunteering; she has done so since her 6th grader was in first grade. She liked the idea of being near her kids if they needed her. She now has four children attending New Caney ISD schools. This year was the first time she had to go through a class before stepping into a classroom. “It was interesting. You learn what you can and can’t do.”

Volunteers are instructed at the meetings about their responsibilities in reporting suspected child abuse and the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, which is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. NCISD Police Chief Troy Wootton also explains the criminal background process. The presentation usually lasts about 30 minutes, however additional time is needed to process background checks. Those who pass the background check receive a name badge that includes their picture and the campuses at which they may volunteer.

The next scheduled orientation meeting is October 6 at 9 a.m. at the Administration Building.