VOLUNTEER RESOURCES
WITS is committed to supporting our volunteers to ensure they feel prepared to be literacy mentors. The following suggestions and tools can assist volunteers in creating a safe reading environment to build strong relationships and maximize reading level growth.
Program Policies
Attendance
- In order to build community within the WITS program space, all volunteers are expected to attend the first two sessions of programming to meet their students and volunteer partner. After the first two sessions, volunteers will begin their regularly scheduled session with students.
- Volunteers will do everything they can to attend all scheduled program times and be ready to engage with students. If volunteers will be absent from a session for whatever reason, they will notify their WITS program staff member as soon as possible.
- Mentors are required to attend a mandatory one-hour orientation before program begins and occasional workshops throughout the year.
Safety
- All adults who interact with CPS students must agree to the Standards of Conduct for Maintaining Professional Boundaries between Staff and Students.
- All WITS program staff members are mandated reporters. If a volunteer is suspicious of child abuse or neglect, they must let their program staff member know immediately.
- Students may disclose information about sensitive topics, including, but not limited to: hunger, homelessness, and/or feelings of depression or anxiety. If a student says anything that is concerning, please let the WITS program staff member know immediately.
Clothing
- Volunteers must be dressed appropriately for all WITS sessions.
- Casual dress (t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans, etc.) is acceptable.
- Do not wear any article of clothing that may have inappropriate sayings, decals, or logos (ex: local breweries).
Presence
- Be actively engaged with WITS students throughout the entire session.
- Volunteers are encouraged to set their phones to silent.
WITS Talks: Building Community: Supporting Newcomers in Chicago Elementary Schools
Please join us on Thursday, January 25th at noon for “Building Community: Supporting Newcomers in Chicago Elementary Schools.” Chicago has welcomed an unprecedented number of migrants this year, and upwards of 2,000 of them are students enrolled in Chicago Public Schools. School administrators, teachers, support staff, and fellow students have been welcoming these students into their school communities. Panelists will provide valuable context about how school communities are adapting, as well as best practices for supporting students who have experienced trauma and students who are learning English.
Panelists
Principal, Talcott Fine Arts and Museum Academy
Dr. Olimpia Bahena
Meg Hiestand