Principal:Carol Roddenberry

Assistant Principal:Tracey Chancery

Office Staff:Pat Ambrose, Secretary

Jeanette Bender, Bookkeeper

Sharon Farides , Office Clerk

Gretchen Youhas, Attendance Clerk

Guidance Counselors:Mary Redito and Lisa Belfatto
 
 

Co President:Debbie Stelzer & Judith Santos

Vice President:Carmen Delgado & Vanessa Keys

Secretary:Shelly Crowl & Patricia Whitfill

Treasurer:Kelly Morgan

Rolling Reader CoordinatorMarilyn Frew

Co Applecorp Cord - Staff Coordinators.:Pam Mulligan & Chris Bell

Office7:00 am - 3:30 pm 

Student Supervision8:00 am - 2:30 pm

Teachers7:20 am - 3:20 pm

Students8:00 am - 2:30 pm 

Did you know that the school gets credit for all volunteer hours that are reported at the end of the year?Not only that but, as individual, you receive recognitionfor your valuable hours by the school.

How does this all happen?First, fill out an Apple Corps Application (Volunteer / MentoringApplication Form) and a District Volunteer Program Security Check (Volunteer for the School Board of Brevard County Application Form). Once you receive security clearance , then log your hours on the Sign-In Sheet in the 3 ring notebook in the front office , every time you help out at school. Towards the end of the year individual hours are totaled and an award is presented to the volunteers with specific accumulated hours at an awards ceremony. Volunteers logging in 25 or more hours per month receive a lunch coupon for a free lunch in the cafeteria by the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).

All Volunteers receive a Red Super Apple Certificate; those with 500-999 hours earn a Silver Certificate; and those earning 1,000 hour increments earn a Golden Certificate . Volunteers accumulating 200 hours earn a Red Pin; those accumulating 500 hours earn a Silver Pin; and those earning increments of 1,000 hours earn a Gold Pin. Certificates & Pins are awarded to volunteers at a school brunch at the end of the year. Those who have accumulated 4,000 hours or more will be recognized at a School Board recognition ceremony at the end of the year.

Did you know your volunteer hours accumulate year-to-year! For example, you volunteer during the year and accumulate 250 hours, at the beginningof the followingschool year , you start the year with 250 hours. Also, you may elect to transferall the hours you’ve worked to be recorded in one school . If you would like to have this time transferred, talk to the Apple Corps Volunteer Coordinator .

Dear Volunteers,

The time you are volunteering at Christa McAuliffe Elementary is greatly appreciated.Your valued service benefits the students, teachers, and staff of the school.The school can offer many programs in large part because of the volunteers' commitment to the school.As a volunteer, you help create an atmosphere which focuses on the education of children.

As membership in the Apple Corps Volunteer Program continues to grow and change, we find it beneficial on occasion to provide reminders of important information that is covered in volunteer training.At this time we would like to remind volunteers that students have a right to confidentiality under Florida Statue 228.093.Volunteers can not have access to student records or divulge personal information about a student.Some examples include:

*academic work completed

*family background information

*standardized test scores

*attendance records

*counselor ratings & observations

*health data

*grades

*interest inventory reports

*teacher ratings and observations

*reports of serious behavior patterns

Also, volunteers cannot give medications or discipline students at any time.

We know you will continue to perform your volunteer service with good judgment.Christa McAuliffe Elementary is an exceptional school.A major factor is the time and effort you have contributed to the school.Thank you very much!

Sincerely,

Carol Roddenberry

Principal

These suggestions are only a beginning.You will think of other ways that volunteers can help.

The ultimate objective of the Apple Corps' work is to bring more adults into our school to take part in the everyday educational experiences of our community's children.Effective, responsible people are essential to the success of our program.We are therefore obliged to consider the suitability of all applicants, and to provide these guidelines for consideration:

. . . understand that our principal, Mrs. Roddenberry, is responsible for the safety and well-being of the students, and that volunteers may participate in the school program only under her supervision and approval.
. . . have good health and reasonable assurance that they are free of communicable disease.Because there is little direct contact with students, it is not necessary to have a TB test - unless you have reason to believe you have been exposed to Tuberculosis, in which case testing is mandatory.
. . . respect School Policies, always working under the direction of a teacher or school staff member.

. . . understand that only a professional is qualified to evaluate a child's performance and that we are not here to judge student competence.

...find ways to establish high quality rapport with children by:

*being warm, friendly and courteous at all times

*staying committed to the program

...fill out the appropriate applications and be screened prior to starting

                          at the school.

...sign in and out at the front office each time you come on to campus,

...log your time for volunteer - approved after schoolhours activities.

...wear a volunteer identifying badge while on campus.

...wear attire is compliant with the school’s dress code – no mini skirts, short shorts etc. 
                          (you may refer to the  student hand book )

...record hours in the book at the front, counter in the front office.

...bring preschool children withyou when you volunteer. Anyone that babysits foryou while you volunteer at school can accumulate volunteer hours. Talk to the Apple Corps Coordinator for further information.

...use PROFANITY ; drugs or alcohol ; discuss inappropriate topics; make “advances to a student” ; sell merchandise or actively promote your business or proselytizing (persuade to a way of thinking).

..add hours after your monthly time has been tallied.
...work in teachers pods unless you are working with a students.
...enter or use the faculty lounge.
...NOT SMOKE ANYWHERE IN THE SCHOOL OR ON THE GROUNDS.

In summary, we're looking for help from people with a strong sense of responsibility and integrity who can relate to children with patience and understanding.

The Apple Corps/PTOWorkroom is located on the east side of the Media center. Check the work table for possible teacher work requests. If the Media Center is in use while you are working on a project, close the door so as not to disturb students. Also make sure the work area is clean and tools have been put away when done.

All at-home hours should be recorded on a Volunteer Sign-in Sheet specifying the work done.These sheets are the same ones used in the alphabetical section of the notebookin the Apple Corps / P.T.O. Workroom . Blank forms are located in the notebook. You should keep this separate , individual sheet at home until the end of each calendar month. At the end of the month,turn the sheet in by placing it in the alphabetical section of the notebook.These hours will then be added to your monthly logged totals.

Not all volunteering takes place at school.Many projects can be worked on at home after they are checked out through the Apple Corps / PTOWorkroomby following the simple proceduresbelow.

1. Sign out the project and supplies on the on the green Work sheetSign - Out Sheetlocated in the Apple Corps / PTO Workroom:

Fill in all spaces of the green Work Sign Out Sheet. It lets us and the teacher know youhave the project and where to contact you in the event any instructions for the project have changed .
Make sure you have a Volunteer Sign-In Sheet at home so you can log your time worked at home.
Each project should have a Teacher’s work Request Form attached with instructions AND date the project is DUE back at school.

Take these items home with you: Project and Materials; Teacher’s Work Request Form; and a Volunteer Sign-In Sheet.

4.Recordyour time on the Volunteer Sign In sheet, specifying the work done.

5.Turn in the Volunteer Sign-Insheet at the end of the month. 

6.Please return all supplies and equipment to the AppleCorp /PTO workroom with theproject.

Any interested parent of a Kindergarten student may join the Kinder Corps, a "branch" of the Apple Corps which works only on Kindergarten projects.Some typical projects might be: 
*Making patterns (shapes) from tag board or poster board

*Cutting paper to specific size

*Assembling pages into booklets

*Binding books made by students

*Making chart, poster or bulletin board cut-outs

*Preparing instructional materials for a unit or a theme

*Preparingholiday projects and decorations

*Cutting out laminated items

*Cutting out letters for titles or labeling
ALL KINDER CORPS WORK MAY BE DONE IN THE APPLE CORPS / PTO WORKROOM OR AT HOME.( Check with your child’steacher)

Many volunteers have HOMEOWNERS’ INSURANCE. For numerous types of civil liability situations arising from volunteer work, the homeowners policy (liability coverage) will generally respond to bodily injury or property damage claims. Volunteers using their personal autos in a volunteer capacity are generally covered under their personal AUTO LIABILITYinsurance for civil liability actions.

There mayalso be circumstances when a civil claim for bodily injury or property damage against a volunteer is covered by insurance carried by the School Board . There is no guarantee that insurance will cover the volunteer worker in a given situation. However, there are many situations in which the volunteer can be covered . Questions regarding personal coverage should be directed to the agent handling the volunteer’s homeowners or automobile policy.

There have been very few claims statewide in which a civil action has been brought against a volunteer worker. If a volunteer performs the volunteerservice with good judgement and in a safe manner this will minimize the exposure to the volunteer.

School volunteers have two forms of liability coverage. The state of Florida has a good faith clause which states that volunteers “acting in good faith” cannot be sued. I n addition , Brevard Public Schools also has liability coverage for volunteers who act in good faith . Anyliability issues (or possible liability claims) should always be reported to the principal.

The use of parents/guardians to transport students for a school function is discouraged. Transportation of students may only be in a bus (school bus or qualified private bus company) or private passenger vehicle.

Registered volunteers transporting students will be required to provide automobile and insurance information and must use federally defined passenger cars or multipurpose passenger vehicles (MPV’s) meeting passenger car safety standards.(See the principal for a list of approved MPV’s).

Many out-of-pocket expenses that a volunteer expends while rendering services without compensation are considered contributions and are tax deductible from federal income taxes. Persons who expect to itemize deductions are urged to maintain careful and complete records of expenditures and services rendered.

Expenses that can be deducted under charitable contributions include:

Transportation: mileage to and from home to place of service is currently rated at .29 cents per mile (subject to change) as of October 1,1995.

Meals and lodging away from home during the scope of performing services on behalf of the school. Cost of uniforms, if required.

New security guidelines have been put in place in Brevard County School to provide a safer environment for faculty and students. The three classifications of volunteers are explained on the following pages. To become a volunteer, an individual must complete an Apple Corps Application (Volunteer / Mentoring Application Form ) and a District Volunteer Program Security Check (Volunteer for the SchoolBoard of Brevard County Application Form ). Individuals are required to provide a social security number or a green card number and a copy of a picture I.D. and a Florida Driver’s License .

A volunteer who answers “yes” to any application question must provide a written description of the offense to accompany the application. IfF.D.L.E. report comes back without criminal offenses but the applicant has indicated an offense on the application, she must provide a copy of the arrest report, final disposition information, and a written explanation of the charges and/ or convictions. (The Volunteer Review Committee reserve the right to grant permission and to determine the placement of an individual based upon a principal’s written petition in support of the volunteer’s application).
An individual who refuses to complete the application in its entirety or falsifies information recorded on the application will be dismissed immediately.

Please note it takes a minimum of eight weeks to process an FDLE check.All school staff should verify background clearance for each individual volunteer when planning a school event, including field trips.

Remember that fingerprinting is essential if : 

1. The volunteer will be involved in an overnight event, or 

2. The volunteer will be working with a student(s) in a situation where no immediate access to Brevard Public School staff member is available.

Procedures Regarding the Outcome of an FDLE Background Check

1.An individual who applies to become a listed volunteer but has indicated the he/she has been convicted of a crime, will be processed in the following way:

A) Will be prohibited from volunteering until approval is given by District Communications.

B) A letter stating the individual’s approval / disapproval status will be sent to the individual.

C) A memorandum regarding the individual’s approval / disapproval will be sent to the principal of the school.

2. If an individual has denied having any criminal charges on the application, then he/she is eligible to selected for a random Florida Department of Law Enforcement check initiated by District Communications.Once the results of an FDLE check are obtained and it is found that the volunteer falsified the application by not disclosing a criminal background, he/she will be immediately dismissed as a volunteer.The volunteer will be contacted by District Communications through memorandum and/ortelephone that the individual falsified the application and can no longer continue as a volunteer.
Volunteer coordinator or principal may request a Florida Department of Law Enforcement check be made on an individual who is applying for or service as a school volunteer.If the background check does not disclose any criminal background the school’s administration or designated Brevard Public Schools employee will be notified via memorandum.If a background check results in the disclosure of an individual’s criminal background, the application will be processed by Public Safely for approval/disapproval.Falsification of an application is ground, for immediate dismissal.

It is the policy of the School Board of Brevard County to offer the opportunity to volunteer to participate in appropriate programs and activities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, marital status, or age, except as otherwise provided by Florida State Law.

It is the policy of the School Board of Brevard County not to discriminate against employees or applicants for employment or volunteers in the basic of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, martial status or age.Sexual harassment is a form of employee misconduct which undermines the integrity of the employment relationship and is prohibited.This policy shall apply to recruitment, employment, transfers, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment.

The School Board of Brevard County, Florida adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in educational programs/ activities and employment and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all as required by:

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 - prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, or national origin.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended - prohibits discrimination in employment on the basic of race, color, religion, gender, or national origin.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 - Prohibits discrimination n the basis of gender.

Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as amended - prohibits discrimination on the basis of age with respect to individuals who are at least 40.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 - prohibits discrimination against the disabled.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) - prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in employment, public services, public accommodations and telecommunications.

The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) - requires covered employers to provide up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to “eligible” employees for certain family and medical reasons.

Florida Educational Equity Act - prohibitsdiscrimination on the basis of race, gender, national origin, marital status, or handicap against a student or employee.

Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 - secures for all individuals within the state freedom from discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, nation origin, age, handicap, or marital status.

School Board Rules 6Gx13-5D-1.10, 6Gx13-4A-1.01 and 6Gx13-4A-1.32- prohibit harassment and/or discrimination against a student or employee on the basis of gender, race, religion. Ethnic, national origin, political beliefs, marital status, age, sexual orientations, social and family background, linguistic preference or disability.

Veterans are provided re-employment rights in accordance with P.L. 93-508 (Federal Law) and Section 295.07 (Florida Statutes), which stipulate categorical preferences for employment.
Portions of this document were reprinted by permission from the VIPs Program at Clovis Unified School District in California and Orange County Public Schools in Orlando, Florida.

Children thrive in a climate of love.Give children plenty of praise and warmth.They need pats, smiles, and approval.

Look for good behavior you want to strengthen, then say "Very Good" to children in a variety of ways.Here are some suggestions:

I'm proud of your work. You're doing a good job!

You've just about got it!

Thanks for doing your best!

Congratulations!

I knew you could do it!

Good improvement!

You 're doingmuch better!

Great!

You are learning fast!

Good for you!

You make it look easy!

Nice going!

Sensational!

Keep up the good work!

Excellent!

Perfect!

Wonderful!

Outstanding!

Fantastic!

Good thinking!

Good for you!

I'm very proud of you!

Keep on trying!

You're on the right track now!

Terrific!