Youth Safeguarding

Definitions

1. Staff: Anyone working or volunteering with Mountain School of Strings as a teacher, regular classroom volunteer, guest volunteer, camp instructor, or other capacity.

2. Teacher: An instructor engaged to teach in a regular, ongoing capacity.

3. Regular Classroom Volunteer: An unpaid instructor who teaches or assists in programs in a regular, ongoing capacity.

4. Guest Volunteer: An unpaid instructor who teaches or assists in classes and programs on an irregular or one-off basis under the supervision of a teacher or regular classroom volunteer.

5. Camp Instructor: An instructor for summer camps.

Code of Personal Conduct

MTNSOS staff will:

• Treat every student with respect and good will.

• Maintain a clean personal appearance and dress.

• Support the student in their growth as a player, even if that student grows beyond MTNSOS programming.

• Respect the student’s personal space and physical autonomy.

• Respect the hosting facility, and follow all their rules and requirements. 

• Maintain positive, professional relationships.

• Care for the classroom, making sure it is clean and organized.

• Keep conversations with students on topic, and never discuss personal issues or political views.

Background Checks & Screening

In order to safeguard the youth we serve, all teachers and regular classroom volunteers must be approved level II volunteers with Transylvania County Schools. TCS will conduct a background check as part of the application. If denied, they may not teach, work, or volunteer in any youth programs with MTNSOS.

The TCS level II volunteer status lasts for 2 years, after which the teacher will need to reapply.

[TCS staff are not required to submit a level II volunteer application, as they have already been vetted through the normal TCS hiring process.]

In addition to the TCS application and background check, MTNSOS will conduct an additional background check on teachers and regular classroom volunteers every two years. 

The following conditions are automatically disqualifying:

• Failure to complete the entire screening process (applicant voluntarily withdrew the application, refused to submit to a criminal history check, failed to complete application in a timely manner, attempted to conceal issues or circumvent/resist a criminal history check, etc.)

• Past history of sexually abusive or violent behaviors toward children or adolescents (regardless of whether the individual completed therapy)

• Conviction for any crime in which children or adolescents were involved (regardless of successful completion of probation or incarceration)

• History of any sexually exploitative behavior including acts against adults

• Termination from a paid or volunteer position for misconduct with a child

• Refusing to follow a clear Code of Conduct

• Lying about criminal history

• Ongoing drug use or alcohol abuse

• History of providing drugs or alcohol to a minor

If the background check returns issues that are not disqualifying (as outlined above), the applicant may still teach if the circumstances and good judgement permit. In such cases, hiring requires a majority vote of the board of MTNSOS.

Camp instructors will receive the MTNSOS background check, but not the TCS level II application background check.

Guest volunteers will not receive a background check due to the temporary nature of their involvement. However, a guest volunteer may only work with students under the direct supervision of a fully-approved teacher or regular classroom volunteer.

Communication with Students

Staff should communicate directly with parents of students. However, it may occasionally be necessary and appropriate to directly contact the student via phone call, text, or email. Communications must always be professional, appropriate, and on-topic.

Staff shall not connect with or knowingly allow minor students to access their personal social media sites, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. Staff are prohibited from communicating with minor students through social media.

Exceptions to this section are provided when the staff and student have a family relationship or other type of appropriate relationship which originated outside of MTNSOS.

Drugs and Alcohol 

We have a zero tolerance policy for drug use and alcohol abuse. A staff member who is under the influence of any intoxicating substance while working will be immediately terminated. 

Parent Observation 

Parents may observe any MTNSOS class, lesson, or event without notice.

Bathroom policy

No adult may be in the bathroom at the same time as a student.

Reporting

Staff must report suspected abuse or violations of this policy to the Director or any board member of Mountain School of Strings. Anyone who reports suspected abuse will not be subject to any adverse action by the organization or their colleagues.

Parents and students may report concerns to the Director or any board member of Mountain School of Strings. The parent and child will not be subject to any adverse action by the organization or staff. We will protect the privacy of the parent and child within the requirements of the law.

Medical Emergencies

In the event a student has a medical emergency, such as allergic reaction, collapse, broken bone, etc, the staff member must immediately call 911, and then follow the steps remaining below:

1. Call 911

2. Have an adult remain with the student

3. If on TCS campus, notify the school principal or other admin

4. Call parent

5. Call MTNSOS director

MTNSOS encourages teachers and regular classroom volunteers to receive Adult/Pediatric CPR certification, and we will fully reimburse them for the cost of tuition.

Modifications to this Policy

Mountain School of Strings reserves the right to revise this policy. The date of the most recent revision will be noted at the top of the page.