That is so hard to comment on. I think it is a good idea but it could also be a not so good way of getting parents involved. Of course you have criminals who have kids attending school and could spark up some stuff but their child is involved. It should be expressed to them that if they do have a criminal background depending on crime, there would be limitations because we should care about the safety and well being of our kids. You have people who steal and has not gotten caught yet or people who are sex offenders and they may not be in the system yet. Getting to know the volunteers is not just at the meetings but even outside the schools and not necessarily to dip in their business. I also think that if the volunteer is not the custodial parent/guardian they really should be checked. I'm just sayin...
At our school, ALL visitors.. even for field day are required to check in at the front desk. We have a computer that scans their license which automatically checks their name against the sex offender registry. If all clear, it prints a VOLUNTEER sticker with your photo on it and then you can participate. Even for field trips we have to sign in before we leave with the group and now have to have the volunteer form on file but those of us who are left alone with the kids in any way shape or form have to be background check by our State Law Enforcement Division. This year during our volunteer orientation, I printed out copies of the volunteer form and had all the forms done. This is a public school, but I am so grateful for all of it! This is the world we live in..
I don't agree with this policy. The volunteers at our school have had their background checks. Telling parents they can't watch the kids or come into the schools afterward is like telling those same parents that they can't come to evening/family events or even inside to pick their kids up after school.
That is definitely taking it too far.
What exactly is CORI? I organize our field day at our school and every vistor must fill out a volunteer consent form with a background check. Even if they are coming to watch.
Every year we old a Field day traditionally in June. Fun day for all the kids, outdoor activities, rock climbing walls, pitch burst machines, relay races, face painting, taekwondo, etc...
This event involves lots of planning and lots of volunteers.
Here is the dilemna. All of our volunteers are CORI and the teachers stay with the class at all time. The administration is now saying that if parents (that are not cori'd) are coming to watch they can not follow the class around they have to stay in a designated area and they are not allowed in the building either.
I have read our policy and the law and I feel that this is a bit extreme considering that the teachers are there. The classrooms stay together on a rotation bases and there are probably 100 Cori's volunteers there.
