To:  Families of Paragon Students

Re:  Volunteering or Visiting at Paragon Elementary

The MSD of Martinsville has clearly made safety a top priority by adding additional security features to the buildings and by further regulating individuals having access to our students and staff through Limited Criminal History checks.  These checks must be performed each school year.

If you believe you may come into direct contact with students which may include, but is not limited to, volunteering at school functions, eating lunch with your child, or assisting on field trips, then you must have a satisfactory Limited Criminal History check on file.  This service is free, but certain vital information is required.

We expect that all adults who take part in our school-sponsored activities provide appropriate modeling for our students.  Our expectation of family volunteers mirrors the Paragon Student and Staff handbooks.  Please review your child's handbook and make certain that you can adhere to those basic rules prior to committing to being a volunteer at our school.  Examples of expectations include:

Use of appropriate school language.  While phrases such as "that sucks" and "he/she is a butthead" do not include profanity, they are still inappropriate.  Please refrain from using any language that others may find offensive while volunteering.

Appropriate attire.  Volunteers are expected to follow the school dress code.  Refer to that section of your child's handbook.  Students are not to wear short shorts, halter tops, tank tops, or tops that expose midriffs and belly buttons.  While many tops are designed with revealing neck lines, we would ask that you not choose such items to wear on a class field trip or while volunteering in our building.  Gentlemen do not wear hats in the building.  Please help us by removing caps and cowboy hats before entering the building.

Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco is not permitted on school grounds or in the presence of our students while they are on a field trip.  Please refrain from the use of tobacco products while near the students on field trips and at school.

Frequently, family members are asked to drive due to limited bus space.  It will no longer be an option to meet school groups at their field trip destination without having a Criminal History Report on file with the school.

Chaperones are invited with a purpose in mind.  They are to help the teacher take care of the students in the class.  Siblings of students are distracting to the chaperones and are not permitted to attend field trips.  Please plan well in advance for arrangements for siblings.  It places the teacher in an awkward position to deny parents permission to bring along a sibling on the day of the field trip when arrangements "fell through" and there is no place to leave little ones.  If such things happen (and they do), please call the school and inform the secretary that you will not be able to attend the trip or volunteer because babysitting arrangements could not be made.

Criminal History checks require a fair amount of time, per entry.  Therefore, no last minute requests will be approved.  Let the teacher know well in advance that you plan to attend a school functions or visit so that a Criminal History check can be made prior to the day of the trip or day you plan to volunteer.

Family members and volunteers are required to sign in at the office.  Please be prepared to show a current ID.  Also, please be reminded that having lunch with your child is welcomed, but no visitors are allowed on the playground during school hours.

Please provide your signature and date on the attached form to indicate that you have read and understand the above terms.  If you are interested in volunteering and/or visiting, then provide the information necessary to perform a Limited Criminal History and Sex Offender Registry check on the attached form, as well.

Thanks for supporting our school.  Should you have any questions regarding these procedures, please do not hesitate to call me at (765) 537-2276.  Your cooperation in keeping your child's school environment safer is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Miss Voiles, Principal

Paragon Elementary School