Villadom Times Weekly Local Newspaper

FLOW Area March 24, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Board of education sets volunteer coach policy by Frank J. McMahon The Ramapo Indian Hills Regional High School Board of Education has introduced a new policy concerning volunteer athletic coaches and co-curricular activity advisors which would, if approved by the school board at its next public meeting, require criminal background checks and fingerprinting of all such volunteers. The criminal background check and fingerprinting will be done at the board’s expense, but each volunteer must provide documentation that a Mantoux test for tuberculosis has been administered. The board’s policy also outlines the manner in which the volunteer athletic coaches will be recruited, recommended, approved, and supervised. Superintendent Lauren Schoen voiced her appreciation of volunteers’ interest in supporting the district’s programs and explained the reason for the new policy. “As the Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education was updating our district policies with our new policy consultant, Strauss Esmay, it came to our attention that volunteer fingerprinting was an area that we had not covered to date. With safety of paramount importance, Policy 9181 will now allow us to have complete coverage of all adults working with our students.” The policy emphasizes that the school board recognizes that the volunteer coaches and co-curricular activity advisors bring unique skills to the district, enrich the athletic and co-curricular program, assist the district’s coaching and co-curricular activity staff members in the performance of their duties, and enhance the relationship between the school district and the community. The policy provides, however, that only the school principal or athletic director will be responsible for the recruitment and screening of volunteer coaches and co-curricular activity advisors and their assignment, and that the district is not obligated to use the services of a volunteer whose abilities or aptitudes do not serve the interests of the school district, as those interests are determined by the school district’s superintendent. In addition, all volunteer athletic coaches and co-curricular advisors must be recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board of education prior to assuming any district responsibilities, and must be persons of known character, responsibility, and integrity. The volunteers may serve only at the discretion and under direction and immediate supervision of a head or assistant coach or advisor employed by the school board, and must clearly understand their duties and responsibilities and restrict their coaching interactions to those directed by their supervisors, and not perform any services outside those duties. The policy also makes it clear that the volunteers serve only in a support capacity and only the head or assistant coaches and/or advisors employed by the school board are responsible for the supervision and instruction provided to pupils participating in the district’s athletic and activities programs. The volunteers will not be permitted to access pupil records and they must exercise discretion and not disclose any confidential pupil matters they become aware of as a result of their volunteer responsibilities. Volunteers will receive no remuneration for their services. The policy requires the district’s superintendent to report annually to the school board on the number of volunteers serving in the district, the duties performed by volunteer coaches, and the number of volunteer hours served. Any of the volunteers may be immediately relieved of their volunteer responsibilities, with or without cause, by the district’s superintendent with such action to be recommended to the board by the superintendent at the next board meeting after the volunteer has been relieved of his or her duties. �� Absolute �� Beginner �� Bridge Lesson Winner of Wyckoff Chamber General Meeting Drawing Wyckoff Family YMCA MARCH OPEN HOUSE Saturday, March 27 9am-noon Register for a new Full Membership and receive a $100 “Y” Gift Certificate! 691 Wyckoff Avenue • Wyckoff, NJ 07481 Phone: 201-891-2081 �� $ �� Reserve today: 201-818-0141 �� combines the � �� of poker with the challenge Bridge �� suspense �� Sharpen your memory. Meet of chess.�� interesting people. Laugh out loud. Join Master�� Bridge Teacher Amy Nellissen for a free, no-obligation introductory lesson. �� Tuesday, April 13 �� at 1:00 pm United Methodist Church �� 454 Pulis Ave., �� Franklin Lakes �� Any $40 Purchase �� 265 Godwin Ave Wyckoff 10 Off With this Ad. Offer Expires 3/31/10 Wyckoff Family YMCA �� 201-891-0232 www.wyckoffﬂorist.com TheBridgeTable.com �� Proud Supporters of the American Contract Bridge League 3-24-10 Mike/Janine BridgeTable2x2(3-24-10) 2x2 Rev1 JERSEY GIRLS Softball Team Looking for Players 3-24-10 pat/janine Jersey Girls, a competitive WCC_Winner2x2 girl’s softball team based 2x2Wyckoff, NJ, is looking in for players for all positions. We promote a team environment where fun and camaraderie are not overlooked. In 2008 the Jersey Girls were runners up in the Midland Park league [out of 12 teams] and in 2009 the Jersey Girls were co-champions in the U-17 UGALS National Division. We will be playing a weekday schedule in the UGALS league in northern NJ from the beginning of June through the end of July in the U-17 bracket. We will also be playing in at least three tournaments in the U-18 bracket during the season which will be played on weekends to be determined. We will be scheduling a tryout for all those who are interested. Please respond by email and tell us a little about yourself. Email to jerseygirlssoftball@hotmail.com. We will respond to all inquiries. We foster a fun learning experience for our students. Ballet - Jazz - Tap - Hip Hop – Lyrical Now Enrolling for Dance Camp 2010 •Ages 8 & under •Ages 9 - teens Dance Camp SCHOOL OF DANCE Rear of Midland Park Shopping Center Midland Park, NJ www.misspatti.com 201-670-4422 Enrollm Fall Clas ent for ses Be April 19 – ages 8 gins & June 1 – ages 9 - under teens