Substitute Performance & Conduct Expectations
The following are expectations for all substitutes working in the Farmington R-VII School District.
Professionalism: Substitutes must be professional even though they are not regular classroom teachers or District employees. Substitutes should use extra caution in expressing personal opinions and reactions about any subject. Under no circumstances should a substitute criticize or compare an employee of the District, parents/guardians, volunteers, or a student in the presence of others. The District exists for every student, every day. The first obligation of the substitute is to the students of the District, whether directly or indirectly. Substitutes must arrive early, be professional and courteous at all times. Complaints, comments, and/or questions should be directed to the building principal or administrator.
Attendance: Substitutes are expected to arrive at the building’s main office at least 15 minutes in advance of their assignment to allow time to sign in, obtain visitor authorization, keys (if necessary), building/emergency maps, further direction from the secretary or building principal (if necessary), and to clock in Time Management. Substitutes who continually remove themselves from assignments at the last minute may be removed from preferred lists or the District’s substitute roster. Substitutes are also required to clock in/out for lunch in Time Management (unless supervising students), to check out, and clock out in Time Management at the end of the day in the office. Any missed clock in/out times must be submitted in writing to the building secretary via email.
Performance: Substitutes are expected to complete tasks as directed by the absent staff member, and may be referred to other staff members for additional direction. Information may be provided in Aesop as attachments/directions or in a folder left by the teacher, absent staff member or department supervisor, manager, director, building secretary or administrator. Substitutes who are in the classroom are required to maintain order and supervision of students and should not leave students unattended at any time throughout the day.
Confidentiality: Respect confidentiality. It is vital that the interactions that take place are kept within the strictness of confidence. Student’s behavior, academic progress, and comments are not to be discussed inside or outside of the confines of the building with anyone except the building principal or administrator. Since you are a professional, we will expect any concerns, comments, and/or questions to be directed to the building principal or administrator, not to the community at large or on any social media outlet. Do not leave confidential information out on desks, filing cabinets, counters, etc.
Communication: Any communication about the day’s activities should be left for the Teacher or staff member, or reported to the principal or administrator.
Assignments: After accepting an assignment, it is the responsibility of the substitute to verify receipt of a confirmation of the assignment through Aesop prior to working in the District. Under no circumstances should a substitute work an assignment without a confirmation unless approved to do so by the District office. In these cases, the District office will usually contact the substitute to convey approval.
Payments: Any payments received from the students, whether cash or checks/money orders, must be left at the main office.
Equipment/Devices: It is the substitute’s responsibility to take advantage of educational opportunities offered by the District to increase proficiency in the use of District devices for instructional purposes. Substitutes should familiarize themselves with the District’s technology policy related to use of cell phones.
Conduct Standards:
Substitutes must follow the same dress code applicable to students unless otherwise communicated by the Department Manager or Supervisor.
Substitutes will not lend money or bring gifts to individual students unless authorized by the building principal or designee.
Substitutes will not transport students.
Substitutes will keep all information obtained from a student’s education record confidential.
Substitutes will not photograph or videotape students using any type of electronic device unless authorized by the building principal or designee.
Substitutes will not date students, have sexual relationships with students or arrange to meet students outside the regular school day or during school-sponsored events or activities.
Only designated substitutes will dress students, change diapers, provide personal hygiene assistance or supply medication to students.
Substitutes will use universal precautions to avoid contact with body fluids.
Substitutes will receive district policies and procedures on computer use and will sign an authorized user form prior to having access to the district’s computers (included in this mailing).
Substitutes will not discriminate against or harass any person and will report all harassment or discrimination observed, in accordance with district policy.
Substitutes will not search students or student property.
Substitutes will not direct a student to remove an emblem, insignia or garment, including a religious emblem, insignia or garment. If the substitute believes a student’s clothing is disruptive or promotes disruptive behavior, the substitute will contact a staff member immediately.
Substitutes must sign in and out of the office when entering or leaving the school and must document the hours substituted in the school. Substitutes will be given a sub badge to wear for the day and will be expected to return the badge to the office at the end of the day.
Substitutes must report suspected cases of abuse or neglect to the building principal.
Substitutes will follow all the policies, procedures and other rules established by the district and all applicable laws.
Classroom/Building Support: Review daily schedule and procedures, including, but not limited to: seating charts, student attendance, individual/special classes (speech, reading, etc.), medication schedule, health needs, fire drill and other emergency instruction, dismissal procedures, bathroom procedures, lunch procedures, student/transportation/bus rider handbooks, etc.
Establish a classroom environment that is respectful of learning and individuals. Seek support from administration if problems arise during the day that disrupts the students’ education. If assistance is needed, see a neighboring teacher, department head or building administrator. It is the responsibility of the substitute to know and understand the student pass procedures, and whether any extra duty assignments are associated with the assignment. Introduce yourself to the teachers on both sides and/or across from the classroom you are supporting. As a substitute, you are expected to be present in the classroom at all times during regularly scheduled periods. As a staff member, you are expected to help maintain order among students in the hallway, cafeteria, lobbies and assemblies. Stay involved with student learning activities and get students involved, using a positive approach.
Closing the Day: The substitute is required to make a detailed written report for the regular teacher, secure the classroom before leaving the building, and return keys, lesson plan books, and other materials to the office when signing out.
Accidents/Injuries: Report serious incidents or accidents to the office. As a substitute teacher, you are responsible for reporting any injuries to the students or yourself. In the event of an accident or injury, please be sure to contact the school nurse and the office immediately so the required accident reports can be completed.
Universal Precautions: Universal Precautions describes a very simple concept: “All human blood and certain human body fluids are treated as if known to be infectious for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and other blood-borne pathogens.”
There are two blood borne diseases that merit serious concern for everyone with the occupational exposure to human blood or other potential infectious materials. They are transmitted by two viruses: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A number of other pathogens that may be transmitted through contact with human blood include non-a/non-b hepatitis, delta hepatitis, syphilis, malaria, babesiosis, brucellosis, leptospirosis, arbovirus infections, and cytomegalovirus. By following universal precautions, you can minimize or prevent the transmission of all blood borne diseases.
Steps to take to protect you from the risk of infection from contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials:
Wash your hands in warm soapy water for at least one full minute after contact with blood or other body fluids contaminated with blood.
Wear disposable gloves when you encounter large amounts of blood, especially if you have open cuts or chapped hands. Wash your hands as soon as you remove your gloves.
Cover cuts or scratches with a bandage until healed.
Use disposable absorbent material like paper towels to stop bleeding.
Immediately clean up blood-soiled surfaces and disinfect with fresh solution of one part bleach and nine parts water or call for a custodian.
Put blood-stained laundry in a sealed plastic bag. Machine-wash separately in hot soapy water.
If a student has a bloody nose, have the child pinch the nose shut on the way into the nurse’s office so blood is not trailed in the hallway.
Following these simple precautions can help protect you from these devastating diseases. If you have any questions or need supplies, such as Band-Aids or gloves, see your school nurse.
Student Discipline: Refer to policy ‘JG-R – Student Discipline’ for details and expectations. Teacher substitutes should refer to the teacher folder for conscious discipline expectations.
Emergency Response: It is the responsibility of the classroom teacher, department manager or supervisor, or principal/administrator to familiarize substitutes with the emergency response procedures in each building. Training is also provided to substitutes facilitated by the emergency response coordinator. The following are reminders regarding emergency responses:
Teachers should leave an explanation of emergency plans: Arrive early and review emergency plans before students arrive. If the teacher did not leave a plan, speak with the neighboring teacher for an emergency plan. Also, inform the Principal the plans were not provided to you.
Items to know before class starts: Evacuation route(s), severe weather shelter, and enhanced lockdown procedures.
Emergency binder should contain: Updated class roster, evacuation route(s), severe weather shelter location(s), individual status report, classroom response reference sheet, and the ‘go bag’ (may vary by school.)
ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS!!