Summary of Employee Policies for Usage at School Events/Activities/Meetings/Sites

Policy Statements

Each year as part of your employment with the school you sign this statement: “I have received my copy of the School’s employee handbook. I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to read and familiarize myself with the policies and procedures contained in the handbook.” The information below serves as a summary reminder of the school’s expectations for a professional educator in all situations where you are representing the school.

· Punctual Attendance: As an employee of the School, you are expected to be punctual and regular in attendance. Any tardiness or absence causes problems for students and your fellow employees. When you are absent, others must perform your assigned work. Employees are expected to report to the workplace and be prepared to begin work at their scheduled reporting times. If you are unable to report for work on any particular day, you must under all but the most extenuating circumstances call the Director of the School or his or her designee (EH pg. 21)

· Emergency Situations: ES’s with emergencies or situations that do not allow them to do their job must inform their Advisor or the Director of the School within 24 hours. Failure to return phone calls or emails within 24 hours during work days requires an explanation to your Advisor (EH pg 21)

· Children at School Events: You may not bring your own children to school events (learning record meetings, STAR testing, ES meetings, etc) unless they are participants in the events or it is a general school event open to all students. The Director of the School or his or her designee may grant an exception for nursing infants but must be done ahead of time. (EH pg. 21)

· Professional Dress: Each employee is a representative of the School in the eyes of the public, each employee must report to work properly groomed and professional dressed. Employees are expected to dress neatly and in a manner consistent with the nature of the work performed. Employees who report to work inappropriately dressed may be asked to clock out and return in acceptable attire. Specific guideline expectations are listed in the Employee Handbook. (EH pg 22)

· Confidentiality: Confidentiality of student information is a requirement of law and all great care must be taken to ensure it is protected. No student information will be released without the specific authorization of the Director of the School or his or her designee. (EH pg.23)

· Electronics/Phones: Be sure to respect those you are proctoring by turning off your cell phone so as not to disrupt others. No electronic devices that could cause a disruption are allowed. (Feb 2011 agenda)

· Professional Response: We follow our guiding principles in the employee handbook. (EH pg. 16) Employees are expected to be polite, courteous, prompt, and attentive to every customer. When an employee encounters an uncomfortable situation that he or she does not feel capable of handling, a more senior employee should be called immediately. (EH p. 22)

Policy Application:
Professionalism at your ES Group Meetings: The ES Group Meetings are a time when very important and timely information is disseminated to the staff, and everyone must come prepared, undistracted, and ready to focus on the issues at hand. You receive PG credits for this time, you are held accountable for the information, therefore do not act rudely towards your fellow ESS and bring a child who will not allow you and your fellow ESs full attention to the agenda items. As a result, alternate childcare arrangements should be made for ES attending their AF meetings. IF you have a nursing infant, follow the directions in the Employee Handbook: Special Permission may be granted by the School Director for Nursing Infants.  Please make this request of your Advisor who will communicate with Janet to receive your permission. Without permission, NO CHILDREN AT ES GROUP MEETINGS. Even with permission, it is your responsibility to ensure that neither you nor any other ES at your meeting is being distracted by your child away from the issues at hand. (pg 20 of Employee Handbook)

Professionalism at any Official School Meetings/Activity/Event:

· Remember that you need permission from your parents in order to bring anyone with you to your meetings in their home. It is not a school location, and privacy must be respected. You are expected to go alone to your meetings with parents unless it is a security issue and your advisor or another school employee is going with you.

· Show your professionalism by being prepared for your meetings--ES Group meeting, LR meetings with parents, AESS meetings with students, Proctor duty locations, etc.

· Be sure to respect those you are meeting with (parents or at your ES Group meetings) by turning off or setting to vibrate your cell phone while in a meeting. Wait to take a call until after the meeting! Be professional by focusing all of your attention on those you are meeting with!

Timeliness: Remember that it is rude to be late--respect those you are meeting with by leaving early enough to arrive on time and do call in an emergency. You would like the same courtesy, please give it to those you are meeting with while representing your school!

Professional Dress: Please review the dress code on page 21 of the employee handbook. A good professional rule of thumb is to be sure to dress "better than" the family you are visiting, or appropriate for the group meeting you are attending while on school business. Professional dress sets the professional tone for the meeting. Parents have made “change of ES requests” for "dress issues"--let's try to avoid any of those requests in the future, please!

Professional Contacts: Show your families professionalism in your communication with them by asking at your first meeting with them (or now, if you haven’t yet) how they prefer to have you communicate with them. Some families prefer emails, others want items mailed to them. Some prefer phone calls, and some do not like calls interrupting their day. Find out what time they prefer to be called, then make a note and respect their wishes. Some like texting, some must pay for every text they receive and it is a big inconvenience for them to be “texted”. This little courtesy goes a long way in the parent/ES relationship.

Professional Transfers: If you must initiate a transfer of a family away from you to another ES, please do so professionally to effect a smooth transition to the next ES. A courtesy call to the family to let them know that you must make a transfer will help keep the school’s reputation intact, and your fellow ES who is receiving your student will start off on a better foot. I know you would like this courtesy for an ES you are receiving as a transfer—please give the same courtesy when you initiate a transfer—regardless of the circumstances. If it is impossible for you to make this call, do ask your advisor to do this for you. Remember, you are the professional and set the tone.