2015 – 2016
Tutor Packet
P.O. Box 170545, Bozeman, MT 59717
#222 Stand Union Building
Phone: 406-994-7475 - Fax: 406-994-6889
Email: brianna.cronin@montana.edu
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WELCOME TO MSU AMERICA READSAMERICA COUNTS!
Hello tutors,
Thank you for becoming a part of MSU America Reads*America Counts (AR*AC)! We are so excited to begin
another year of successful tutoring in area schools. As your tutoring journey progresses, you will come to realize how
great the impact is that you are having on the children you tutor. You will not only serve as a tutor but will be a role
model in that student’s life. Here is to a great year serving Bozeman K-8 students. Thank you for taking part in our
program.
The MSU AR*AC program is overseen by the MSU Office of Activities and Engagement (OAE). The program has
been offered in Bozeman area schools since the fall of 1997, when President Clinton granted colleges and
universities work-study funds to pay tutors to help area kids in literacy and/ a few years later, math skills. For the first
time in our program history we have a full-time staff member managing MSU America Reads*America Counts….and
that person is Brianna Cronin Hello! My name is Brianna Cronin. I am the Program Coordinator for America Reads*America
Counts here in Bozeman. I was born and raised in Littleton, CO and moved to Bozeman in July
2013. I have been employed full-time in the Office of Activities and Engagement at MSU since
August 2013. I spent the last year coordinating AR*AC, BreaksAway and the Compact Service
Corps AmeriCorps program. This year I will continue managing the BreaksAway program, and
Compact Service Corps. I will also be managing the Kickoff Trails Project, Rockin’ The M, and cocoordinating Can The Griz in addition to MSU AR*AC. I am currently pursuing a degree in social
welfare and non-profit administration, and in my free time, I can be found running around in the
woods or taking a road trip! I look forward to working with all of you and I hope you have a fantastic
school year!
PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION:
1) Brianna Cronin, OAE Program Coordinator
Email: brianna.cronin@montana.edu; Office: SUB 286; Phone: (406) 994-7475
2) Kathryn Tanner: OAE Director
Email: ktanner@montana.edu; Office: SUB 222; Phone: (406) 994-6872
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MSU UNIVERSITY CALENDAR
As an MSU America ReadsAmerica Counts tutor, you are expected to begin tutoring one week after you have
been matched with student(s). You will continue tutoring through Friday, December 5th. Spring tutoring will restart on
Tuesday, January 20th and will run through Friday, May 1st. You are NOT required to provide tutoring sessions during
finals weeks or on any university holidays when there are no classes. It is important that you remind your supervising
teachers of these dates about one week in advance. The following days are university holidays for the 2015-2016
academic school year.
2015 Fall Semester (August 24th, Fall Classes Began)
September 7 Labor Day Holiday No Classes;
November 11 Veteran's Day Holiday No Classes;
November 25-27 Thanksgiving Day Holiday No Classes;
December 7-11 Final examinations No Classes; Offices Open
December 12 - January 12th Holiday Break No Classes; Offices Open
2016 Spring Semester (January 13th, Spring Classes Begin)
January 18 Martin Luther King Holiday No Classes;
February 15 Presidents' Day Holiday No Classes;
March 14-18 Spring Break No Classes; Offices Open
March 25 University Day No Classes; Offices Open
May 2-6 Final examinations No Classes; Offices Open
May 7th Summer Break Begins Offices Open
MONTHLY ROUNDTABLE
Roundtables are mandatory online discussions for all MSU America ReadsAmerica Counts tutors. The goals of the
Roundtables are to learn new tutoring skills, learn about child development issues and challenges, and to check-in
and reflect with other tutors and the program coordinator about the tutoring experience.
IN PERSON TRAINING
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20TH (MANDATORY FOR ALL TUTORS: WORK-STUDY AND VOLUNTEER ALIKE)
VIRTUAL ROUNDTABLE DATES
October 5th – 9th
November 2nd – 6th
December 1st – 4th
February 1st – 5th
March 1st – 4th
April 4th – 8th
All Roundtable discussions are held online at:
msuamericareads.wordpress.com
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SCHOOL CONTACT INFORMATION
(SCHOOLS MARKED WITH * ARE PART OF THE BOZEMAN PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT)
*Chief Joseph Middle School (CJMS), 4255 Kimberwicke St …….. (406) 522-6300
*Emily Dickinson Elementary, 2435 Annie Street…………………… (406) 522-6650
Great Beginnings Montessori School, 100 Springhill Lane……….. (406) 587-0132
*Hawthorne Elementary School, 114 N. Rouse Ave………………… (406) 522-6700
Head Start Bozeman Center, 52 North 24th……………………...……. (406) 582-1767
*Hyalite Elementary School, 3600 West Babcock……………………. (406) 582-6800
*Irving Elementary, 611 South 8th ………………………………………. (406) 522-6600
Bozeman Summit Elementary, 3001 West Villard.............................. (406) 585-3778
*Longfellow Elementary, 516 South Tracy……………………………... (406) 522-6150
Middle Creek Montessori School, 1570 Cobb Hill Road…………...... (406) 587-3817
Monforton School, 6001 Monforton School Road…………………...... (406) 586-1557
*Morning Star Elementary, 830 Arnold Street…………………………. (406) 522-6500
*Sacajawea Middle School (SMS), 3525 South 3rd ……………………. (406) 522-6400
*Whittier Elementary, 511 North 5th……………………………………… (406) 522-6750
Directions to Schools: If you need turn-by-turn directions to get to your school please email Brianna at least
2 days before at brianna.cronin@montana.edu and she can provide you with that information via email.
Bozeman Area School Holidays
Please be sure to obtain a calendar or a list of holidays from the school(s) in which you are placed.
If you neglect to do this you will find yourself showing up to tutor on days when the local schools may
not be in session. Below you will find a list of the websites for each school. Check with the secretary at
your school to see what the best method is for you to obtain a calendar with those very important dates.
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Bozeman School District:
Great Beginnings Montessori:
Head Start Center Bozeman:
Bozeman Summit School:
Middle Creek Montessori School:
Monforton School:
www.bsd7.org
www.gbmschool.org
http://www.thehrdc.org/how-we-help/children/head-start-preschool/
www.bozemansummitschool.org
www.middlecreekmontessori.org
www.monfortonschool.org
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COMMUNICATION IS KEY!
You are about to enter into two very important relationships: one with your student(s), and the other, a partnership
that you will develop with your student’s teacher. It is both essential and mandatory that you develop and maintain
strong lines of communication with your student’s teacher, as he/she will be an invaluable resource to you in meeting
your goals to provide your student(s) with the best possible tutoring.
Your relationship with your student’s teacher is two-fold. First, the supervising teacher is considered your on-site
supervisor at the school. They are there to give you direction, support, and guidance. The teacher will be most
valuable to you in this role. For this relationship to reach its full potential, you must also work to create a partnership
with the supervising teacher in your efforts to help your student attain success. By working together, sharing
information and ideas, and planning sessions accordingly, you will be better able to provide your student with the
confidence, ability, and sense of accomplishment that they deserve.
Here are some tips to get the communication ball rolling and keep it rolling:
- Keep in regular contact with your supervising teacher. Keep them up to date on your progress and share what
is going on in your student’s tutoring sessions.
-Find out which method of communication works best for you and your supervising teacher and then use that
method regularly! (Call, e-mail, leave a note for, or speak to the teacher in person.)
-Understand that not all teachers will be the best communicators, just as is the case in any other group of people
with whom you work or interact. You must plan to hold up your end of the relationship by staying in touch
and keeping them posted on things.
The following are some tips to improve your confidence with communication and to help facilitate stronger and clearer
communication between you, the teacher(s) with whom you will work, and your student(s):
1.
Always think before you speak or write.
2.
Pay close attention to what others say/write and how they are conveying the information.
3.
Be a good listener! Focus on the person with whom you are communicating and set other thoughts and
tasks aside for another time…..make eye contact and do not try to multi-task when listening!
4.
Unclog your speech. Avoid phrases such as “you know,” “like,” and “uh,” which do nothing but dilute the
impact of what you’re saying.
5.
Be ready with a notepad and pen/pencil always. You may be given instructions by teachers or wish to
note things happening in a tutoring session and want to refer to them later, so come prepared.
6.
Highlight the positive! Are your conversations filled with negatives—words like “can’t,” “not,” and “won’t”?
Others will have a more positive impression of you and you will make the people around you feel more
positive if you highlight what you or they can do; accentuate “yes,” “can,” and “will.”
7.
Be open and invite constructive criticism. This is how we learn new skills, learn about ourselves and
both our strengths and weaknesses. Constructive criticism is meant to be insightful and helpful.
8.
Refer to teachers as “Ms. ---“or “Mr. ---“unless they ask you to do otherwise.
9.
Respect your supervising teacher(s) as guides, mentors and experienced educators.
10.
All handwritten notes left for teachers should be legible.
11.
Email communications should be proof-read BEFORE sending to teachers for spelling and grammatical
errors.
12.
Always be open and honest with your supervising teacher(s) about your student(s) (and your own)
strengths, weaknesses, challenges, and successes which may affect the tutoring sessions or
relationships.
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Making Initial Contact with Teachers!
You must make contact with the supervising teacher listed on the referral of each student you will tutor PRIOR to
entering the school to begin tutoring. Below is a sample email you need to send to the supervising teacher(s) with
whom you will work. You are expected to begin tutoring within a week of having been matched with your students.
We ask you to, if possible, provide a local phone number to the supervising teacher because many schools are no
longer allowing teachers to make long distance calls from school phones. Any cell phone number that is not a local
number may not be an option for teachers to use to contact you.
The teacher email format for all Bozeman Public Schools is as follows: firstname.lastname@bsd7.org
Example: damon.alm@bsd7.org
Sample email sent to Teacher BEFORE starting to tutor:
Hello Mr. or Ms. _______________
My name is ____________________ and I am an MSU America Reads*America Counts tutor this year. We have
completed our initial tutor training on Sunday, September 28th and are expected to begin work with our assigned
students this next week. I have been assigned to work with _____ (student initials) in your classroom at _____
(times) on ______ (day(s)). I plan to begin tutoring on ______ (day of the week), ______ (date) at _______ (time).
Unless you email me otherwise I will come to your classroom at this time to meet you and the student I have been
assigned. I am looking forward to meeting you both and working with the student under your direction in order to
assist them with greater success in literacy or math skill development.
My contact information is as follows for your records:
Name: ___________________________
Email Address: ____________________________
Local Phone Number: __________________________
Cell Phone Number: ___________________________
Thank you,
Your Name
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Important Policies and Responsibilities
Each tutor, with the MSU America Reads*America Counts program, has the following responsibilities:
Program Responsibilities
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Consistently follow the established schedule of tutoring with students with whom you have been matched
over the course of the semester and/or academic year;
Participate in all monthly Roundtable discussions. These will be held online at
www.msuamericareads.wordpress.com
Turn in completed monthly timesheets with appropriate teacher signatures by the due dates specified;
Complete your full term of service (volunteers at least one semester, work-study tutors serve one
academic year);
Maintain an active email account that is checked daily for program updates;
Keep your AR*AC Coordinator updated on any changes in contact information, status with work-study
funding, or tutoring schedules;
We do not have the financial resources to be able to compensate you for any hours worked past your workstudy award through our program, so please track your award closely. If you are nearing the end of your
work-study award or if the amount of your award changes it is YOUR responsibility to notify us and any other
work-study employers. You are responsible for tracking your award closely throughout the semester
Abide by the MSU Student Code of Conduct: http://www2.montana.edu/policy/student_conduct/cg600.html at
all times;
Never work with a student outside of school grounds or school hours;
Never transport a student in any vehicle at any time for any reason.
School Setting Responsibilities
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Honor and consistently abide by all school system and school building policies and procedures when on
school grounds;
Sign and abide by the Bozeman Public School District’s Volunteer Policy statement if tutoring in a Bozeman
Public School setting.
Always sign in and out at the school front desk to keep school officials informed on who is in their building
at any given time…this matters a great deal in times of emergency;
Cell phones must be turned off or on silent (no vibrate!) while in the schools; the student and/or their
teachers are the sole focal point so phones have NO place in a tutoring session; wait to check your phone
until you are out of the school. Better yet….leave your phone and/or tablet in your locked car!
Be respectful of all school staff members at all times.
Responsibilities to Teachers
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Be sure to notify AR*AC Coordinator and your supervising teacher if…
o Your schedule changes.
o If your contact information changes.
o If your student moved, if you have trouble with your student, and/or if you become matched
with another child without our knowledge.
Clean up your outgoing voicemail message – teachers may be returning calls or initiating contact with you
and the language, tone and volume can be offensive and reflect poorly on you and this program.
Make sure your email name is appropriate and professional. No “sexybabe21@hotmail.com.” If you have
any doubts, use your MSU email but you either need to check it every day or have those emails forwarded to
another personal email address.
Be diligent in maintaining communication with supervising teachers, reading or math specialists, librarians,
and the program coordinator.
Build positive and cooperative relationships with all supervising teachers;
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Always be prompt, consistent and accountable; notify teachers (ideally 24 hours in advance) of the need to
miss any tutoring sessions and explain the circumstances to them (all teachers/schools have direct phone
lines with voice mail so a message can be left at any time of the day or night);
At the beginning of a working relationship with the teacher(s), establish what mode of ongoing
communication will work best for you both (emailing, notes, communications log, brief face-to face
discussions etc.) and work to maintain that communication for the duration of the time working with that
teacher’s student;
Be respectful of all teachers with whom you interact at all times and be prepared to accept constructive
criticism as a means to grow personally and professionally;
Willingly and openly share your ideas, observations, concerns and thoughts with the supervising teacher
regarding the student with whom you work;
Willingly and openly seek advice, suggestions, support and guidance from the supervising teacher
throughout the tutoring service term with any given student (teachers are great resources).
Responsibilities to Students
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Respect and encourage the unique identities of the students with whom you work;
Be prepared to be seen as a role model by students with whom you work, so act in a mature and responsible
manner at all times;
Provide encouragement and support to students with whom you work;
Exercise patience, understanding, and persistence in work with assigned students;
Respect the confidentiality of all students and their families at all times (see Confidentiality Statement on pg.
14)
Work-Study Student Tutor Obligations (from the MSU Financial Aid Policy and Procedure Manual)
The MSU student is to perform his/her job in a professional manner. S/he is required to comply with the directions of
his/her supervisor and to conduct him/herself in a manner consistent with his/her responsibilities. A student who fails
to do so will be removed from his/her assignment and from the program. The student:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
Is expected to give regular, punctual, efficient performance;
Agrees to remain on the job for the duration of the period of eligibility;
Must notify his/her supervisor when illness or some other unforeseen circumstance prevents
his/her attendance at work;
Must give adequate notice to both employer and the Office of Financial Aid Services when
terminating Work Study;
Must monitor hours worked to ensure the award amount is not exceeded.
Falsifying Hours
If you are caught falsifying hours, you will be terminated immediately from your position and will be reported to
MSU Financial Aid which may result in lost eligibility for Work Study funding in subsequent years. You will
also be placed on the MSU AR*AC “DO NOT HIRE” list and will be ineligible to be employed with the program or the
MSU Office of Activities and Engagement in the future.
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Concerns about Child Abuse:
If a child shares information with you that indicates that there may be some form of abuse occurring in their lives you
must proceed as follows:
 Listen carefully to what the child is saying.
 Take brief notes if you need to.
 Reassure them that they have done nothing to deserve being hurt in any way.
 Reassure them that you respect them for being courageous enough to share this very personal
information with you.
 Speak with this supervising teacher immediately after the tutoring session and provide all of the
information you can.
 Immediately after the session document in writing without embellishing, exactly what the student
told you, describe the context of the discussion and provide any details the student shared as well
as names or references to individuals.
 Provide a hard copy (names cannot be used in e-mails) to the supervising teacher (even if you
already spoke to them in person) about the situation
 It is possible that you will be contacted for clarifications or to re-state what you were told so please
be sure to include all of your contact information in your statement including your name, mailing
address, email address and any and all possible contact phone numbers.
 Notify the AR*AC Coordinator that you have documented an incident with a supervising teacher on
one of your students, but WE ARE NOT ENTITLED TO KNOW ANY DETAILS, so please do not
violate that student’s confidentiality by sharing more with our office than you should.
This situation arises about once per year and we are committed to keeping all of the students with whom we work
safe. It is our obligation to report these situations to the proper authorities and in our case, the school staff are those
authorities. They will carry the information to the next level. If you have any questions about this policy or these
specific steps, please contact Brianna Cronin in the MSU Office of Activities and Engagement at 994-7475 or
brianna.cronin@montana.edu.
Concerns about Homelessness and Abuse:
If the student you are working with reveals that they do not have a home or are living with friends or relatives, please
bring this information to the attention of your supervising teacher and they will be able to help the student receive
extra services and support.
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GETTING ACQUAINTED/TUTORING TIPS
We would like your tutoring experience to have the best possible start, so we have provided you with a number of tips
that have proven useful to past tutors. As always, if you are having problems breaking the ice, talk with the
supervising teacher for ideas, and/or come in and talk to us and we will be happy to brainstorm with you. Here are
some pointers on getting to know each other and initiating a comfortable tutoring atmosphere beginning with the very
first session:
 Introduce yourself and let the student know how to address you.
 Learn to pronounce the student's name correctly.
 Inform the student that he/she can count on you and that you will be coming in on a regular basis.
Remember that you must notify the teacher, student, and AR*AC/OAE if you will be unable to attend a
regularly scheduled tutoring session. This courtesy is essential when establishing trust with your
teacher and student(s).
 Tell the student about yourself (how old you are, where you came from, what you're studying at MSU,
etc.) and ask the student specific questions about him/herself. Establish commonalties. (I.e. favorite
foods, pets, hobbies, etc.).
 Be warm and friendly. Regardless of their initial response to you, SMILE.
 Accept your student as he/she is; don’t be judgmental - at-risk students may try to shock or reject you
at first, but do not be intimidated…hang in there.
 Discuss and mutually establish some rules for the tutoring sessions that you both believe are
reasonable and respectful of one another (i.e.: being honest with each other, committing to work for a
set period of time and then maybe taking a short break to do something fun, checking in with each
other at the start of the tutoring session to see how each of your days are going, being respectful and
kind to one another etc.)
Suggestions for Tutors
- You may motivate your students with treats only after discussing with the teacher first about policies, food
allergies, diabetes, etc
- Consider assigning homework to your student(s) as a means to cover more ground and keep them engaged
between tutoring sessions. Be reasonable and check with your supervising teacher(s) about their thoughts on
this approach before implementing it.
- If you are invited to attend after school events, i.e., sports, concerts, awards ceremonies, fun nights, etc., you
may choose to do so, but if you are employed with this program as a work-study tutor you may not count these
hours toward your MSU America Reads*America Counts paid hours. They are additional volunteer hours
outside of your role as an MSU America Reads*America Counts work-study tutor and they are optional hours.
Here are some suggestions on working with the parent(s)/guardians of the students you are tutoring:
- If invited to meet parents, feel free to set up a meeting. Please notify your supervising teacher.
- Parents may ask to be kept informed on the progress or work that their child is doing, but the supervising
teacher is the ONLY PERSON authorized to share this information, so refer parents to the teacher.
- Never agree to a parent's request that you drive the student you tutor ANYWHERE! Explain that this is an
expressed violation of program policy for which you would be dismissed from the program.
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Some additional tips to use after you’ve successfully completed the first session . . .
 Begin the second visit with a review of the past week's activities and an update on what has been going
on with you over the past week (keep it positive and upbeat) and ask them about their week.
 Provide an icebreaker or two, if all else fails. We have many of them available in the office, and if
anything, they will make you laugh.
 Let your student know that you are human, too - don't be afraid to make mistakes or say "I don't know.”
 Reinforce and compliment skills the students already have or things that they do well.
 Be aware of the skills your students are working to improve.
 Never let your students struggle with their answers to the point of frustration; take a break and come
back to it later.
 Know the classroom rules and expectations and abide by them; remember that you are a role model
and a guest in the school.
 Ask for help when you need it! Not only is establishing a dialog with the classroom teacher essential to
the success of your student, but it will also serve to keep you informed and empowered.
 Use positive reinforcement as much as possible; try using phrases like:
"I like the way you did that..."
"I've enjoyed meeting you, and I’m really looking forward to next week..."
 Remind the student that you will be seeing him/her at the same time next week or if you know you will
not be there next week due to a holiday or PIR day be sure to tell your student that.
DISCIPLINE
Where should you go and what should you do if you are having discipline problems with your student?
While working with elementary and middle school students, you may encounter a variety of discipline issues. It is
always important to remember that you DO have both RIGHTS and POWER in each unique situation. You also must
remember not to take these situations personally!
It is crucial to establish and outline guidelines and behavioral expectations from the very first tutoring session and to
be consistent. If you do have discipline issues with the students with whom you work; here's what we recommend:
 Try to work it out with the child yourself. Brainstorm with the student how to resolve each discipline issue.
Perhaps you may want to construct a list of agreements with your student that outlines how each of you will
behave during sessions, and make sure you both sign and agree to uphold it.
 Go to the teacher and ask about any special techniques s/he may have successfully used in the past.
Teachers have a great deal of useful experience and knowledge that they are willing to share. If you cannot
speak directly with the teacher, leave a written note or send an email outlining the problem and asking for their
assistance and advice.
 If you still need some help in this area, come in to OAE and talk to the MSU America ReadsAmerica Counts
Coordinator.
 If discipline problems persist, you may direct your student to return to their normal classroom at any time.
Explain to them why you are unable to work with them for that day and that you will see them at their next
session. Always inform the teacher about these times and why you have taken this action. Either speak with
them immediately or leave them a note explaining the situation. Never leave a student unattended in a library
or hallway…always be sure they have been returned to the supervision of a teacher or school staff person.
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Remember, the goal is to have a high quality, productive tutoring session with your student, but your students may
experience some challenging days. Many factors influence students’ behaviors on any given day. It is extremely
important that you show your student that you care about them regardless of their behavior. Consider a brief check
in with your supervising teacher before the tutoring session begins to see how the student is doing that day. Are they
in a bad mood? High energy? Lethargic? It takes just a minute to ask and this information can then help you to
customize the tutoring session to the student’s current frame of mind.
Time-logs
Work-Study Timelogs
Timelogs will be available online and you will turn them in to SUB 222, which is just across from the ASK US Desk.
Timelogs must be filled out neatly with teacher signatures before they will be accepted. Please fill out your timelogs
on the computer before you print them as Excel will do the addition for you. PLEASE DO NOT FILL THEM OUT
WITH PEN! You can find timelogs on the MSU OAE website: http://www.montana.edu/engagement/eventsprograms/arac/tutors.html
Work-study tutors must ALSO complete web-time entry in the MyInfo, secure section of the MSU website. Be sure
that the hours entered on your paper timelog match the hours you enter in your monthly web-time entry. If there are
discrepancies, whatever is reflected on the hard copy timesheet signed by your teacher(s) will be used for purposes
of determining hours for which you will be paid in any given month.
Volunteer Time-logs: Volunteer time logs are also turned in to SUB 222. Volunteers are required to get teacher
signatures before turning in timelogs. Please fill out your timelogs on the computer before you print them as Excel will
do the addition for you. PLEASE DO NOT FILL THEM OUT WITH PEN! You can find timelogs on the MSU OAE
website: http://www.montana.edu/engagement/events-programs/arac/tutors.html
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MSU America Reads*America Counts Tutor Agreement
Please read and initial next to each of the following statements:
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I agree to all the responsibilities and qualifications in the MSU AR*AC tutor position description.
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I have read, understand and agree to fulfill all of the outlined policies and procedures in this tutor packet.
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I understand that regular and punctual attendance at my tutoring site(s) and roundtables is required.
____
I understand that chronic absences from tutoring sessions, with no notice to the teacher and coordinator, late
timesheets, and absences from the virtual roundtable discussions are grounds for my dismissal from service
with this program.
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I agree to accurately and honestly record my hours on the monthly time-logs and, if I am a work-study tutor,
also on MyInfo web-time entry timesheets.
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I agree that I am responsible to keep track of my hours and my work-study award funds whether I have one
or more work-study positions.
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I agree to have each teacher with whom I am working sign my timesheet at the end of every month.
TUTOR STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY
____ I agree to the necessity of maintaining strict confidentiality regarding any of the children I am tutoring or
considering tutoring in the Bozeman-area schools through the MSU AMERICA READSAMERICA COUNTS program. I
will not share personal information about any child with anyone other than those parties who are directly involved with
the program. When discussing my tutoring experience with anyone, I will never use the child's full name and will
instead refer to them as "he" or "she" or will use only the child's first name. I understand that I MAY NOT transport
any children with whom I am working or any student served by the MSU AMERICA READSAMERICA COUNTS program,
in any vehicle, at any time. I understand that I am bound to this agreement even after I have discontinued my
service. I agree to abide by all of the program codes, standards, procedures, policies and the responsibilities outlined
in this document and I am bound to the MSU Student Code of Conduct while serving with this program. I am aware
that failure to comply with this statement of confidentiality or my failure to comply with stated program or school
policies will result in my immediate termination from all tutoring assignments, employment, and affiliation with the
MSU AMERICA READSAMERICA COUNTS program and depending upon the violation and its severity, my name and
the violation information may be forwarded to the MSU Dean of Students Office and/or the MSU Financial Aid Office
for further review and penalty considerations.
Print Name: __________________________________________________________________
Sign Name: __________________________________________________Date: ____________
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BSD#7 VOLUNTEER/CHAPERONE/UNIVERSITY OBSERVER GUIDELINES AND DISCLOSURE
2015-2016 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
Other Names Used in Last 5 Years: __________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________ Date of Birth: _____________________
Phone: ____________________ Cell: ___________________ E-mail: _______________________
Your role as a volunteer/chaperone/university observer is an important one, and while enjoyable, it
requires that you accept certain responsibilities. These Guidelines provide you with an overview of
your responsibilities and recommendations for appropriate responses to various situations that may
arise. Should you require any additional information, or have any other questions or concerns; you
are invited to meet with the classroom teacher or principal.
Please sign in each time you come to school. Sign in sheets are provided at each school. School
personnel must know who is in the building. If school policy, please pick up and wear a nametag.
Introduce yourself and, if possible, know student names.
As a volunteer/chaperone/university observer, you must follow and implement Bozeman Public
Schools’ policies and procedures as stated in Board Policy (http://www.bsd7.org/district_policies/)
the building Student Handbook, and the District’s student behavior expectations.
If you are not comfortable with a particular task, please ask for additional instructions.
Do not discuss the performance or actions of students except with the student's teacher,
counselor, or principal. Please consider things heard or seen at school as confidential.
Please refer any student problems to a regular staff member.
Use common sense in your dress. Please be neat and follow the school’s dress expectations.
Keep in mind that you are a model for the students.
Remember that student safety always comes first. Understand the school safety plan.
Supervise the students in a firm but courteous manner. All discipline issues are the responsibility
of the teacher.
Do not bring along siblings or other children on field trips without prior approval from the teacher.
Do not touch students, lose control, display anger, promote specific religious or political
viewpoints/practices with students, or have other inappropriate discussions with students.
Do not release students to anyone other than the teacher.
Do not drive other students unless this has been prearranged and the necessary District
insurance forms have been completed and approved.
Out of respect for student and staff allergies and sensitivity to the school setting, please refrain
from heavy perfume or cigarette odors. Since being under the influence of drugs or alcohol are
expressly prohibited, it is necessary that volunteers refrain from any alcohol, cigarette, or other drug
odors.
Do not administer any medications (including cough drops, homeopathic, etc.) or food items to a
student. All medical situations and injuries must be referred to the teacher.
Praise and encourage students, help to build a caring and supportive rapport with students, and
act as an exemplary role model for students.
Please call the teacher in advance if you will be absent from an expected activity.
Under no circumstances may a volunteer be under the influence of, in possession of or consume
alcohol, drugs or tobacco while serving as a volunteer/chaperone/university observer.
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As a volunteer/chaperone/university observer at Bozeman School District #7 I understand that I
will/may be providing supervision to minor children and that the safety of the children is my first
priority. I certify that I have never been convicted of any crimes involving children or any felony drug
or alcohol offenses. I certify that I am not now, nor have I ever been listed in the National Registry of
sex offenders or violent offenders. I understand that if I have a criminal record I will not be permitted
to work in any capacity with students, and will volunteer with staff members solely at the discretion
of the District.
Additional Confidentiality Information: Students in Bozeman School District #7 have the right to
expect that information about them will be kept confidential by all volunteers, student interns,
practicum students and student job shadow observers. Additionally, the U.S. Congress has
addressed the privacy-related concerns of educators, parents, and students by enacting the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act (known more commonly as “FERPA” or the “Buckley
Amendment”). Among other provisions, FERPA allows the government to withdraw federal funds
from any educational institution, including Bozeman School District #7, which disseminates a
student’s education records without his or her parent’s consent.
Each student with whom you work has the right to expect that nothing that happens to or about him
or her will be repeated to anyone other than authorized school department employees, as
designated by the administrators at your school. Even when discussing a student with those who are
directly involved in a student’s education, such as a teacher, principal, or guidance counselor, you
may not share otherwise confidential information with them unless it is relevant to the student’s
educational growth, safety, or well-being.
You may not share information about a student even with others who are genuinely interested in the
student’s welfare, such as social workers, scout leaders, clergy, or nurses/physicians (a grave
medical emergency, in which confidential information may be necessary for a student’s care, is the
only exception). Thus, you must refer all such questions to the school employees so authorized and
indicated to you, typically the student’s teacher or principal.
You may not share photos or information via social media.
Parents, friends, or community members may, in good faith, ask you questions about a student’s
problems or progress. Again, you must refer all such questions to the authorized school employees.
You may not share information about a student even with members of your own family or the
student’s family.
Before you speak, always remember that violating a student’s confidentiality isn’t just impolite, it’s
against the law!
I have read, understand, and agree to comply with the volunteer/chaperone/university observer
guidelines.
_______________________________ _____________________________________ __________
Name (Print)
Signature
Date
Copies: Volunteer/Chaperone/University observer; School File (signed copy) Adopted: 03/14/05 Rev. 5/16/05, 9/29/08, 04/09/09, 9/15/11,
12/12/13, 7/16/14
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Montana State University Bozeman
Vehicle Use Form
Student Version
Name (please print): _________________________________________________________________
Department Affiliation: MSU Office of Activities & Engagement, MSU America Reads*America
Counts Program
I have read a copy of the attached State of Montana Vehicle Use Policy, and the Montana Board of
Regents of Higher Education Vehicle Policy and Procedures. Violations of these policies shall be
handled in accordance with appropriate university policies where applicable.
I understand that, in accordance with these policies the following applies to driving conviction points:
 MSU-Bozeman students required to drive as part of their academic or registered student
organization requirements who have accumulated 12 or more conviction points according to the
schedule specified in 61-11-203, MCA, over the most recent 36 months may not drive a state
vehicle or personal vehicle for academic or organization business until having successfully
completed a certified safe driver course approved by the RMTD and received authorization to
drive from their academic program or organization and RMTD. Student drivers who have
accumulated 15 or more conviction points according to the schedule specified in 61-11-203,
MCA, may not drive a state vehicle or a personal vehicle for academic program or organization
business until the accumulated point total is less than 12 within the past 36 months.

Students who have accumulated 18 or more points in the immediately preceding 36 months may
not drive a state vehicle or a personal vehicle for academic program or organization business
until two years have passed during which they have not accumulated any conviction points
according to the schedule specified in 61-11-203, MCA, have successfully completed a certified
safe driver course approved by RMTD, and received authorization to drive from their academic
program or organization and RMTD.

A student required to drive as part of their academic program or organization shall report any
single driving infraction of five or more conviction points according to the schedule in 61-11-203,
MCA, accumulated while driving a state vehicle or a personal vehicle for academic program or
organization business to the academic program or organization.

A student required to drive as part of their academic program or organization shall report an
accumulation of conviction points of 12 or more according to the schedule in 61-11-203, MCA, for
the past 36 months immediately preceding the infraction, whether accumulated while driving a
state vehicle, a personal vehicle for state business, or accumulated while driving a motor vehicle
for any purpose within ten days of the accumulation of 12 or more points to the academic
program or organization.
My signature below indicates that I have received and read a copy of the State of Montana Vehicle
Use Policy and the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education Vehicle Policy and
Procedures.
Employee Signature: ________________________________________________________________
Date: _____________________________ Last 4 Digits of Student ID: ________________________
**Please return to the Department that requested this form be completed**