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From The Assistant Principal’s Office
Updated Volunteer Process
With recent approval from our School Board, we’ve updated our volunteer and chaperone application practices to better protect the safety and well-being of our students and staff, and to strengthen communication across our school community. We have also added a new stipend position of Volunteer Coordinator, headed up by Ms. Erin DeTrude, to ensure the process is smoother and more efficient.
All volunteers, including field trip chaperones, are required to complete an annual criminal records check and sign a confidentiality agreement before being permitted to volunteer or chaperone for the school. The only exception applies to individuals who remain exclusively within the main office. Background checks must be completed prior to any field trip and are valid only for the school year in which they are conducted. To remain eligible for volunteer or chaperone activities, background checks must be renewed each school year.
To make the process easier, Northwood School is now using an online Google Form for our prospective volunteers/chaperones to complete. Click here to access the Volunteer Application Form. Additionally, we’ve updated our Volunteer Handbook, so that everyone is aware of the process and how it works. Click here to access the Volunteer Handbook.
There are sure to be numerous opportunities to support our teachers and students this year. We recommend that if you would like to volunteer, to go ahead and start the application process sooner rather than later, to ensure you can volunteer/chaperone when the need for support arises.
Can’t wait to have you here!
A Quick Note About Student Absences
With the holiday season quickly approaching (gasp!) you might be wondering about absences. As stated in our Northwood Policy JH, and reiterated in our Student Handbook, the following are considered excused absences:
1. Illness
2. Recovery from an accident
3. Required court attendance
4. Medical and dental appointments
5. Death in the immediate family
6. Observation or celebration of a bona fide religious holiday
7. Such other good cause as may be acceptable to the Principal or permitted by law
So, how does this relate to family vacations? Generally, absences other than for illness during the school year are discouraged. The school principal may, however, grant special approval of up to five excused absences for family vacations, provided approval is requested in writing in advance. This means you must request permission in advance by emailing Ms. Young. Parents are also asked to notify their child's teacher at least two weeks before the trip. Please note that teachers generally do not provide work ahead of trips as plans may change. Students will typically be provided the work that needs to be made upon their return to school. Please see page 59 of the Student & Family Handbook for further information.
~ Ms. Gilliam
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