DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSED POLICY 
ON SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS AND VISITORS

The Board of Education is considering changes to its policy regarding volunteers and visitors in local schools. The proposed policy delineates the expectations of visitors and volunteers, and the requirements for each. Mandated reporter training, fingerprinting, and background checks would be required for some volunteers. Public input is sought prior to the vote at the October 8th Board meeting. Click on this link, scroll to the bottom and post your comments directly.  Or email Marissa_Key@dekalbschoolsga.org with your feedback on the proposed policy.

BOARD POLICY         
School Volunteers and Visitors

The DeKalb County Board of Education recognizes the importance of visitors and volunteers who play an important role in supporting, encouraging, and advancing student achievement.  Parents and others who wish to support student achievement are encouraged to participate in parent and community engagement activities at approved school or district-sponsored activities. 

Volunteers are non-paid persons who provide services at approved school or district-sponsored activities.  Persons who, in the course of their service, will come into contact with students who are not their own student and/or who will serve as a tutor, mentor, coach, etc. must complete a district Volunteer Registration process prior to coming into contact with students.  This process will include the mandated reporter training per O.C.G.A. §19-7-5 and the associated district fingerprint and background check. The prospective volunteer is responsible for the cost of the fingerprint and background check.

Parents or guardians who periodically come to the school to visit their own student, are identified in the district Student Information System, and have signed in with the main office are welcomed visitors to the school, but they are not considered volunteers.

Visitors may also include parents, guardians or community members who are invited by the principal or designee to participate in a supervised one-time school activity which takes place on school property such as career days or field days.

Registered Volunteers and Visitors may never be alone and/or unsupervised by staff.  Registered Volunteers and Visitors must at all times remain in areas of the school where they may be observed by staff, e.g. playground, media center, cafeteria, hallway, etc. All student interactions with Visitors and Registered Volunteers must be in an area where the interaction may be easily observed by staff members, e.g. playground, media center, cafeteria, hallway, etc.  Staff may never permit students to have unsupervised, un-observable interactions with Visitors or Registered Volunteers.

This policy does not apply to individuals who are working pursuant to a vendor contract with the district to provide services, e.g. plant maintenance, counseling, etc.  Such individuals must follow the terms of their company’s vendor contract. 

The superintendent or designee reserves the right to prohibit or discontinue any individual or organization from visiting, volunteering or having interactions with students during the school day or during school or district-sponsored activities.  

DEKALB COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION PROPOSED POLICY 
ON SUICIDE PREVENTION

To provide input on the DeKalb County Board of Education's proposed policy on Suicide Prevention, click on this link, scroll to the bottom and post your comments directly.  Or email Marissa_Key@dekalbschoolsga.org with your feedback on the proposed policy.

BOARD POLICY
Suicide Prevention                                                                      

The DeKalb County School District shall provide to all certificated personnel annual training in suicide awareness and prevention in accordance with state law and rules established by the Georgia Department of Education.

The Superintendent or designee shall develop procedures to address at a minimum, suicide prevention efforts, intervention, and postvention.  Such procedures shall be developed in consultation with school and community stakeholders, school-employed mental health professionals, and suicide prevention experts.

In accordance with state law, no person shall have a cause of action for any loss or damage caused by any act or omission resulting from the implementation of this policy or its implementing procedures or resulting from any training, or lack thereof, required by state law or this policy.  The training or lack thereof, required by the provisions of state law shall not be construed to impose any specific duty of care.  Neither the training nor the procedures are designed to impose ministerial duties but to provide a framework in which educators can exercise their professional judgment in the best interest of students.

EMORY LAVISTA PARENT COUNCIL

Save the Date to Reduce Stress & Anxiety!  ELPC proudly invites you to attend our first educational session of the 2018-2019 year: 

Topic: Helping Reduce School-age Stress & Anxiety

Date: Wednesday, October 17, 2018, 8:45am - 10:00am

Location: Druid Hills Middle School Media Center, 3001 Mount Olive Drive, Decatur, GA 30033

Refreshments & Networking begin at 8:30 am; Panel & Discussion from 8:45-10:00am

Overview:  Stress and Anxiety in school-age children is on the rise and a serious challenge to an effective learning experience and developing lifelong wellness skills.  Although there are many school resources and opportunities in the curriculum to help children build strong skills in this area, we believe we can do more.  This session will include a brief panel discussion as well as interactive small group discussions facilitated by expert School Counselors, Private Practitioners and Community Leaders.  Bring a friend to share your tips for reducing stress in your family.  In this session for families and school leaders, you'll learn:

• How to recognize the latest signs of anxiety in school age children
• What innovative steps schools are taking to promote mental wellness and reduce anxiety
• How you can implement easy strategies and tools to help your children reduce stress and anxiety and thrive during their educational years and beyond.

Emory Lavista Parent Council (ELPC) is comprised of parent leaders from the Lakeside and Druid Hills Cluster to promote educational opportunities for families in our community.  We work closely to align efforts with common priorities across our schools.

SHOP AND HELP THE SCHOOL FOR FREE

YEARBOOKS ON SALE NOW!

The 2019 HMS Yearbooks are now on sale for $40!  Place your order before August 31, 2018 to receive $10 off - the lowest price of the year.  Personalization packages are also available.  CLICK HERE to download the Jostens flyer.  Flyers are also being sent home with students this week. To order online CLICK HERE.