VOW FAQs
 
 

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Text Box: What is VOWS? VOWS is a private, non-profit corporation that was organized by a group of Warwick citizens and incorporated in 1975.   Why was VOWS developed? VOWS was designed to be the centrally directed, district-wide school volunteer management system that supports the educational goals of the Warwick School Department. The program was created with the cooperation and encouragement of the Superintendent of Schools and has the endorsement of the School Committee.   What is VOWS mission? VOWS mission is to provide opportunities for meaningful family involvement through a centrally directed, trained and managed pool of volunteers whose primary focus is meeting the educational needs of Warwick’s Public School children and whose primary ethic is respect for their privacy.   What are VOWS goals? ü  - To effectively and accountably direct and coordinate volunteer activities and programs within the Warwick Public Schools; ü   - To help meet the educational needs of individual students by working cooperatively with Teachers and Principals to recruit and coordinate appropriate volunteers who can help meet those needs; ü  - To expand communication between the home, our schools and the community; and ü - To provide for and support the growth of volunteers within the school system.   What is VOWS’ guiding philosophy? What all VOWS have in common is a love for children combined with a commitment to public education.  VOWS are trained to have the deepest respect for children’s privacy.  CONFIDENTIALITY is the guiding principal behind all service.  VOWS are not to be placed in THEIR child’s classroom when they volunteer in a direct educational capacity in order to insure the confidentiality of all children.  VOWS are encouraged to be punctual, reliable and know they are accountable.

Text Box: Who are VOWS? People who volunteer in Warwick schools are also called VOWS.  They may be: §  - Parents §  - Grandparents §  - Retired Persons §  - College Students §  - High School Students §  - Business People §  - Community Leaders §  - Interested Citizens, etc.   All volunteers agree to be of service to the students in our schools by adhering to the VOWS structure that has been carefully developed and revised over our thirty-one years of operation.  Our volunteers donate their time and skills to help our students and teachers and they perform their volunteer services with the expectation of professional conduct.   Are there Guidelines for VOWS? If you accept an assignment with VOWS, you will be expected to: §  Keep all information confidential; §  - Be reliable; § - Notify the school if you can’t keep an appointment; §  - Be unobtrusive; § - Discuss all concerns with your VOWS Coordinator.   Establish a good rapport with the Teacher: §  - Be prompt for your assignment; §  - If you do not understand the assignment, ask the Teacher for clarification; §  -Respect the teacher’s position as classroom leader; §  - Do not use the Teachers’ Room; § - Remember, VOWS are here to tutor, not to teach.   Please observe proper building etiquette: §  - Always sign in and out at the school office on the VOWS Sign-In Sheet; §  - Always wear your VOWS button while in the school or on a field trip; § - Once your assignment is completed, please leave the school promptly; §  - Restrict your activities to the duties assigned; §  - Do NOT use the school telephone for personal calls; §  - Do NOT answer the school telephone, even if there is no one in the office; § - Do NOT use any school equipment for personal business.

Text Box: What do VOWS do? VOWS may help in the following ways: § - Preschool & Kindergarten develop-mental screening; §  - Tutoring – one on one or in small groups; § - Copying and preparation of teacher  requested classroom materials at the Pilgrim High School Ed Tech/AV Center; §  - Library/Media Assistance; §  - Computer Assistance; §  - Math help; §  - Reading help; §  - Kindergarten registration assistance; §  - Participate in the Heads Up Program; §  - Be a Kids on the Block Puppeteer   How does VOWS work? VOWS recruits, coordinates and in specific instances trains volunteers for Teacher-requested and Teacher supervised activities within every elementary school and some secondary schools.  It operates during school hours from September through June, with some special “family” events on holidays or evenings.  All volunteers are approved by and accountable to the school Principal and the VOWS Executive Director.   What is a VOWS Coordinator? Each school building has a volunteer who serves as a Coordinator of Volunteer Services for that school.  The Coordinator is recruited, trained and supervised by the Executive Director of VOWS.  This person serves as a liaison between the volunteers and the school, and works closely with the building Principal on all volunteer assignments.  The Coordinator is also responsible for maintaining and reporting the records of all volunteer activities within the school.  The VOWS Coordinator is responsible for keeping all assignments in the strictest confidence.   How is the VOWS program managed? The VOWS program is overseen by Claire C. Flaherty, Executive Director. She is assisted by Dolores Hyle, Child Outreach Project Director and Judy LaCross, Administrative Assistant.  The VOWS office is located at the Drum Rock Early Childhood Center, Room 16.  The office number is 734-3230; FAX 734-3231. You may e-mail us as follows: Claire: vows1@warwickschools.org Dolores: vows@warwickschools.org Judy: vows2@warwickschools.org