NHCS Volunteer Orientation 2024-2025

Our Mission:

The mission of New Hanover County Schools, in collaboration with our parents and the community, is to strive to provide children with an opportunity for a superior education in a safe and positive learning environment where they are prepared with the skills to succeed.

Level 1 Volunteers

Level 1 volunteers are parents, family, or community members volunteering while continually supervised by school personnel during the school day. No background check is required for level 1 volunteers.

Examples: classroom helpers, clerical helpers, library helpers, and cafeteria helpers.

Level 2 Volunteers

Level 2 volunteers are parents, family, or community members working with students in an unsupervised setting or field trip volunteers. (Click here to view our Field Trip Policies)

Examples: Tutors providing one-on-one remediation with students, field trip chaperones, coaches

Background checks are required for all level 2 volunteers. Complete the online application and pay the fee of $22.50. Once approved, the volunteer will continue to be monitored in N.C. for three years. The link to the background check website can be found at the end of this presentation.

*All volunteers must be at least 18 or older, regardless of level 1 or 2 status*

The following groups will be exempt from background checks: NHCS employees, UNCW staff and student interns, School Resource Officers, and active local and state law enforcement officers. The Superintendent or designee may exempt additional groups.

Confidentiality:

Any information, data, or behaviors observed by the school volunteer is confidential. Information observed while visiting the school shall not be discussed with anyone outside of the school setting. Information shall not even be shared without the use of the student’s name because it is possible that the information could still be linked to the student.

Sensitive Data:

Volunteers shall not work with confidential data. Personnel and student files shall not be in file cabinets/file rooms that are accessible to volunteers.

Volunteers may work with student directory information as defined in Policy 4700: Student Records.

Orientation:

Orientation/Training shall be completed each school year and as needed to review policies and procedures on safety, sexual harassment, child abuse, discrimination, security, internet and software use, etc.

Accidents/Injuries:

If a volunteer is injured, the volunteer must notify the office and administration immediately. The site administrator will complete an Accident and Injury report and send it to the Division of Operations.

Safety:

Supervising staff will provide safety, fire and emergency procedures to volunteers and provide adequate supervision to ensure safe work practices. Volunteers shall follow all safety procedures and policies. Volunteers may not administer first aid, except in an emergency.

Standard Operating Procedures

  • Be prompt, dependable and professional. If you're unable to attend a scheduled volunteer shift, notify the volunteer coordinator at your school or program.
  • Wear a visible school ID badge at all times.
  • Sign in and out of each school site when arriving and departing. The following forms of ID are accepted for sign-in: driver's license, passport, green card, embassy or consulate-issued identification, national identity card (such as Cedula de identidad, Tarjeta de identidad), state identification, military ID, or Faith ID card.
  • Use appropriate language.
  • Discuss age-appropriate topics
  • Refrain from disciplining students (behaviors needing discipline shall be directed to the appropriate teacher or administrator).
  • Follow the student and employee relationship policy for appropriate interaction with students.
  • Refrain from giving students gifts, rewards, or food items of any kind without the teacher’s permission.
  • Follow the employee/volunteer dress code policy.

Once you complete your background check, you can download the 'SecureVolunteer' app to access your background check card from your phone.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that states the following:

"No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. The U.S. Department of Education gives grants of financial assistance to K-12 school districts (including NHCS), which makes Title IX apply to NHCS.

Examples of the types of discrimination that are covered under Title IX include: Sex-based Harassment (including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Harassment), Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Pregnant or Parenting Students, Athletic Opportunities and Benefits, and Retaliation.

NHCS encourages all volunteers to report matters of discrimination falling under Title IX to NHCS' Title IX Coordinator.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Board’s Nondiscrimination policy applies to students and their parents or legal guardians, employees, and applicants for admission or employment based on sex.

Policy 1720/4030/7235: Title IX Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex

The New Hanover County School Board has designated a Title IX coordinator to coordinate its efforts to comply with its responsibilities under Title IX and its implementing regulations. The contact information for the Title IX coordinator is:

  • Office Address: 6410 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412
  • Email Address: titleix@nhcs.net
  • Phone Number: (910) 254-4200

The contact information for the Office of Civil Rights with jurisdiction over North Carolina is:

  • 4000 Maryland Ave, SW Washington, DC 20202-1475
  • Telephone: 202-453-6020 TDD: 800-877-8339
  • Fax: 202-453-6021
  • Email: OCR.DC@ed.gov

Required Steps for Becoming a Volunteer

  1. Read all information contained in this presentation and the NHCS Volunteer Handbook
  2. Complete the Volunteer Orientation Assessment with a score of 80% or higher.
  3. For level 2 volunteers, complete a Background Check Application in addition to the steps listed above. Background Checks cost $22.50 and are valid for 3 years.

Download the Background Check Mobile App

To contribute your donation to NHCS please click on the link below. You may complete your donation as a guest. Checks may also be mailed to Aidimar Richardson at 6410 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412