PALS ... Parents Assist Learning in our School:
Reporting your volunteer hours:
PALS Overview
Policies and Guidelines
The volunteer work program called PALS (Parents Assist Learning in our School) was conceived and developed by and for parents to encourage parental involvement. A commitment of 30 hours per family (15 for single parent families) keeps parents actively involved in fulfilling the school’s goals and priorities, and helps keep school tuition affordable.
Tracking volunteer hours will be done via an honor system. Each family will be responsible for reporting their volunteer hours. PALS hours will be tallied each year for the period June 1 through May 1 of the following year. Hours will be totaled at the end of each quarter, and statements sent home indicating hours reported to date. If a family fails to fulfill their PALS commitment they will be charged $8.00 per missed hour at the end of the school year.
Any activity involving contact with students requires VIRTUS training (attending the course counts as volunteer hours). Activities which do not involve student contact do not require VIRTUS training.
If a family is facing exceptional circumstances they may be released from some or all of their hours based upon the discretion of the principal. By the same token, excess PALS hours accumulated by a family may be distributed to a family in need of PALS hours upon the discretion of the principal.
The program will be overseen online by a parent coordinator who will tally hours and make a periodic status report (at least quarterly) to each family.
To register for VIRTUS training: http://www.virtusonline.org
To log your own volunteer hours online: PALS time tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the PALS program?
The purpose is three-fold. 1. To have all families participate in the school, in a wide variety of areas ranging from daily activities to special events and programs. 2. To increase communication and exchange of ideas between staff and parents. 3. To aid and support our staff so that St. John school will be able to provide the best environment and educational opportunities possible to our children.
Many parents already volunteer, why do we need this program?
We recognize that we are blessed with many dedicated and active parents. Each of us has a particular gift that can be given for the benefit of the school. We want to convey an expectation that ALL families be involved. Also, this program will allow us to measure how wonderful and generous our parents really are! The degree of parent support and involvement is important as we look for development opportunities and strive to attract new families to our school.
Can anyone volunteer? A grandparent?
Yes, but for the safety of our children and to comply with diocesan policy all volunteers must be Virtus trained and have a background check. There will be opportunities to obtain or renew Virtus training at the start and middle of each school year. Virtus training must be renewed every 3 years.
Who pays for the background check?
The fee for background check is $15 and will be paid for by the school. This overall cost to the school is significant and it would be appreciated if your family could donate to the school for the cost of your background check. This is not mandatory. The PALS policy will not be causing a new expense; it is the current requirement of the diocese that all of our volunteers are background checked.
This seems like a lot of hours. Is this reasonable?
Absolutely! There is a lot of work to be done and dividing it among all makes it easy to accomplish. 30 hours is only a few hours per month. Chair or co-chair an HSA committee, be a classroom parent, volunteer on an auction committee, or serve on the School Advisory Board and your hours are all but guaranteed. Links to the Home and School Association and the School Advisory Board are on the Parents page. Maybe you’d prefer smaller chunks of time such as helping with a class party, driving on a field trip, or serving in the cafeteria. Soon it will be apparent that 30 hours will be a snap!
I know that I will complete many more than 30 hours, should I continue to record the excess hours?
Yes! In order to truly know and appreciate how valuable our parent volunteers are we should record all hours! Also, and just as important, please do not stop helping at 30 hours! It will become apparent that not only is 30 hours easy to reach, but many of us will quickly exceed this goal!
I work full time. How will I be able to meet this requirement?
Many opportunities are available! Check out the PALS brochure and communications in the Eagles’ Nest for ideas. Some examples of tasks outside of the work day are: School Advisory Board, some HSA events and activities, auction committees, gardening/ mowing of the school grounds, scout leaders/adult volunteers, specific tasks performed at home for a teacher, and special projects which will be announced in the Eagles’ Nest on an as needed basis, such as play ground clean-up.
What volunteer tasks will count toward my hours? What doesn’t count?
There is not an absolute list of qualifying tasks. If you feel that work you have done has genuinely provided benefit to the school, the time spent on the task should be recorded.
I’m on School Advisory Board; will this count toward my hours?
Yes! This is very valuable time spent in service to our school.
What if something happens to my family or me and we cannot complete our required hours?
Our principal on an individual basis will address special circumstances such as this. She will have the discretion to release a family from some or all of their hours as she sees fit.
How can I find out about volunteer opportunities?
Each parent is responsible for seeking out opportunities to volunteer. Here are some ideas: Ask your child’s teacher or other school staff. Attend Home and Sschool Association meetings and become involved with HSA. There are many volunteer hours available with HSA. Check the Eagles’ Nest. We will have periodic PALS communications and the principal or teachers may call out for help with special projects as needs arise.
Can my child volunteer?
The purpose of this program is to involve the adults in our school and in doing so we model stewardship and service to our children. However, there may be occasions when a student has helped with a task. An example would be the families who regularly mow the school grounds (or maintain the garden) and do so throughout the summer. If two family members each complete one hour of work, the family should record two hours. Remember though, the primary focus of this policy is to increase parent involvement.
When can I perform my volunteer service?
Anytime, all year through! Many parents are active helping during the summer, immediately before the school year begins, and after it ends. Keep track of your hours and record them at the next opportunity when school is in session. For the 2007-2008 school year start tracking your hours beginning June 1, 2007.
Why am I charged for hours not completed?
There is true value in ALL services that our parents provide and it is hard to quantify. By having volunteers, and utilizing them in a wide variety of ways, the school can avoid additional cost. This keeps our tuition and fees low while providing an excellent environment for learning! Even though there are opportunities that can accommodate all schedules, it is true that some parents may not want to volunteer. These parents can opt to “buy out” and pay for their hours.
I volunteer at the Church, will this count toward my school commitment?
It may, if it provides direct benefit to the school.
How do I report my hours?
Hours will be self reported on a non-secure or secure page(your choice) online through the links under "Reporting your volunteer hours"at the top of this page. If you have already requested a reporting page, you will be given a password and will enter your own hours on your own page. If you can not record online please check in at the office for a sheet. It is hoped that all parents and other volunteers can use our online system.
How do I know how many hours I’ve worked?
You can always check your PALS page online to see the hours that you have recorded. Additionally, hours may be tallied periodically and updates will be sent home.
What is the role of the Parent Coordinator?
Simply to provide communication regarding the program to our families, and to tally and report hours volunteered. It will remain the responsibility of the parents to seek out opportunities.
If I have a question about the program whom do I contact?
The parent coordinator email along with related FAQ'S on Reporting your hours page can answer many of your questions and, as always, Mrs. Sears will always be available to address any concerns regarding school policy.
