Confidentiality, Commitment, and Safety Policies and Procedures

Thank you for volunteering with Education Connection and reading to students in the Central Texas area schools participating with us. You are providing a valuable service to our program. It is important to understand the following guidelines when working with students and school information.

District Guidelines: Education Connection is committed to respecting and adhering to all guidelines and policies set forth by our partner school districts. Volunteers are responsible for reviewing and following the specific policies of the district where they are serving. Please refer to the district’s official website for the most up-to-date information.

Social Media: Education Connection recognizes the importance of the Internet in shaping public thinking about our program. Education Connection also recognizes the importance of our volunteers joining in and helping shape literacy and community service conversation and direction through interaction in social media. Therefore, Education Connection is committed to supporting and following all ISD Privacy Policies related to social media. This includes the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Consequently, email addresses provided to Education Connection for the purpose of communicating electronically are confidential and not subject to disclosure except as outlined by the Public Information. Act (Section 552.137 of the Texas Government Code). These guidelines are to help volunteers open a respectful, knowledgeable interaction with people on the Internet. They also protect the privacy, confidentiality, and interests of Education Connection, as well as current and potential stakeholders. Volunteers may not share information that is confidential and proprietary about Education Connection. This includes information about students, district staff and administration, and internal Education Connection documents (that are not shared on the Education Connection website, newsletters, and blogging pages). If you have any question about whether information has been released publicly or doubts of any kind, speak with the Education Connection Executive Director before releasing information that could potentially harm Education Connection, or our current and potential stakeholders.

Confidentiality: A feeling of mutual understanding and trust between school staff and volunteers is essential. Volunteers have access to information about students and their abilities, successes, and struggles as well as information from teachers. As a volunteer, your responsibility is to maintain confidentiality at all times. *Note: Texas law requires that you report any information a student might share with you regarding homicide, suicide, physical/emotional abuse, or any illegal activity. Department of Family and Protective Services: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us Hotline: 1-800-252-5400. Please be sure to report any concerns to the school principal.

Commitment: Please make a professional commitment. Be humble, consistent, and dependable. Please notify your students’ teacher and Literacy Partner Coordinator if you are unable to come at your committed time.

Reading Materials: To ensure that all reading materials are appropriate, relevant, and aligned with the school’s curriculum and student reading levels, volunteers are required to use only books provided by the school’s library or those specifically approved by the student’s teacher or school’s librarian. Volunteers may not bring personal books from home unless explicitly approved in advance by the student’s teacher or school’s librarian. This policy helps maintain consistency and supports educational goals established by each school.

Sign-In and Out: Remember to sign-in and out at the front office and wear your Education Connection lanyard at all times. Your hours of service must be reported, for monthly reporting requirements to aid the school, district, and our program.

Signs/Symptoms of Illness and Policies and Procedures: As a person who will be volunteering at our schools, it is important to be aware of the common signs and symptoms experienced by people who may be ill. The volunteer should cancel any volunteering assignments you may have on campus. The symptoms may include: ● fever ● cough ● nausea ● headache ● fatigue ● vomiting ● sore throat ● diarrhea ● loss of taste/smell

Confidentiality, Commitment, and Safety Agreement

I have reviewed and agree to the Confidentiality, Commitment, and Safety Policies and Procedures on this page. I hereby assume all responsibility for any and all risk sustained while participating in any voluntary effort. Further, I, for myself and my heir, executors, administrators and assigns, hereby release, waive and discharge Education Connection and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and volunteers of and from any and all claims which I or my heirs, administrators and assigns ever may have against any of the above for, on account of, by reason of or arising in connection with such volunteer efforts or my participation therein, and hereby waive all such claims, demands and causes of action. Further, I expressly agree that this release, waiver, and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the State of Texas, and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. Further, I have carefully read the foregoing release and indemnification and understand the contents thereof and sign this release as my own, free act.