Volunteers working within any Metropolitan Nashville public school are expected to adhere to the following standards of conduct. For the purposes of this document, volunteers are defined as any individual not paid by Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools who spends time in direct contact with either an individual or a small group of students during normal school hours on school grounds. This does not include volunteers or professional staff from community-based organizations who work with classrooms or large groups of students.

Before working with any student, volunteers must have criminal history record check for felony convictions in the state of Tennessee to include Sexual Offender Registry and Abuse Registry. Volunteers who have been residents of Tennessee for one year or less must have a background check from the prior state(s)of residence. Volunteers will not be permitted to work with students if the criminal records include past history of sexual abuse of children, convictions for any crime in which children were involved, history of any violence or sexually exploitive behavior. Nor will volunteers be permitted access to students if charges are pending for any of the above listed types of crime.

Volunteers will sign a confidentiality agreement to protect the rights of students and parents.

Volunteers must sign in and out each time they visit a school.

Volunteers should be punctual and prepared.  Volunteers should notify the school's volunteer coordinator in advance of planned absences and call as soon as possible if late or ill.

Volunteers should wear a nametag at all times while on school grounds.

Volunteers must appear clean, neat, and appropriately attired.

Volunteers will work within the rules of the school, as determined by the principal.

Volunteers will work with students in areas designated by school staff.

Volunteers may take a student off school grounds or transport a child only with prior approval from school staff and/or a parent.

Volunteers should only give food, drink or candy to any student if authorized by the volunteer coordinator or the student's teacher.

Volunteers should ensure that a student is supervised at all times.

Volunteers will treat all students equally regardless of gender, race, religion, or culture and refrain from any comments that can be construed as racist, sexist, or bigoted.

Volunteers must refrain from promoting religious doctrines or beliefs, political candidates or parties, or commercial products.

Volunteers will protect students from harm or abuse while in their care. Examples include:
     Physical abuse-spank, shake, slap
     Verbal abuse-threaten, humiliate, profanity
     Sexual abuse-inappropriate touch or verbal exchange
     Mental abuse-shaming, humiliation, anger, inappropriate jokes
     Neglect-withholding basic care

Disciplinary issues should be referred to the student's teacher.

Should a student disclose to a volunteer instances of abuse or an intent to harm self, the volunteer must report that to the school guidance counselor or principal immediately.

Volunteers may not be in possession of or under the influence of alcohol or illegal substances.

Smoking or the use of tobacco products is not permitted on school grounds or supervised trips.

Volunteers are responsible for immediately reporting to the volunteer coordinator or principal any threats to their mental or physical well-being.

Any costs incurred by volunteers in carrying out their duties are the responsibility of the volunteers, unless otherwise previously approved.