Visiting the Campus

All visitors to campus must check in at front office.

Wagner Ranch Volunteers

Parent volunteers play an important role in supporting and enhancing the educational program at Wagner Ranch. Volunteers provide an enthusiastic presence and help our students have varied and engaging experiences. Some ways parents support the school include: driving on field trips, working in the classroom, the library, and the lunch room, or participating in one of our many school functions.

All volunteers must check in at our school office every time. You will need a valid driver's license ID in order to sign in.

Volunteer Ethics

As a parent volunteer you will be working closely with children and may be exposed to sensitive information. We expect volunteers to be respectful of student and staff privacy and use discretion when discussing school matters. Sensitive questions and concerns should always be referred to the teacher first, or to the principal if they cannot be addressed at the classroom level. To maximize focus and to ensure safety for all, volunteers may not have other children with them while working on site.

TB Clearance

If you plan to volunteer in any capacity, you must show you are free of communicable tuberculosis (TB). The Contra Costa Health Department requires all volunteers, whether in the classroom, on field trips, or in the hot lunch program, to provide proof of completing a TB assessment/screening.

To comply, you must bring a completed Adult Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Questionnaire to a registered health care provider and submit to Wagner Ranch a copy of the Adult Tuberculosis Risk Assessment Questionnaire Certificate of Completion. Your completed forms are filed in the Wagner Ranch front office and are valid for four years. If you are unsure if you are current, please contact the front office. Vaccination information can be uploaded into Parent Square.

If you plan to volunteer at multiple schools, please make a copy of your form and bring it to each school.

Fingerprint Clearance

Criminal background checks are necessary for volunteers who work at school without direct, constant oversight by a classroom teacher, drive on field trips, and those who chaperone overnight trips. Classroom volunteers and lunch helpers do not need to undergo a formal background check. Fingerprints gathered for any organization other than the Orinda Union School District do not transfer to the school district and a distinct background check must be done.

The school typically schedules on-site fingerprinting at Jump Start or in the first week or two of school. If you miss the scheduled screening, please visit the school office to receive the official live scan form which will refer you to various private institutions at which you can submit finger prints. In either instance, you will be asked to cover cost of fingerprinting. The results are sent electronically to the district office within a week or so. No further action is required by you to complete this step.

Driver Clearance

In order to drive on a field trip, you will need to submit to the office:

Signed Driver Form
Copy of Driver's License
Proof of Automobile insurance showing coverage of at least the following amounts:
(This is found on the "Declarations" page on your insurance statement, NOT the Insurance ID)
Bodily injury $300,000
Property damage of $50,000
Or combined single limit $300,000
Medical payment $5,000

Drop off the documents at the WR Office or send via email WR Office Manager.

Field Trips

Field trips are designed to supplement and enrich the classroom program and occur throughout the year. Students are required to return a written permission slip for each trip. When cars are used for transportation, only parents who have filled out the Use of Private Cars form and have provided insurance information will be allowed to transport students. Parents acting as chaperones are required to follow established OUSD procedures and guidelines. As chaperones must give full attention to supervising students, siblings and/or other non-students are not permitted on field trips. Please carefully read and adhere to the chaperone guidelines.

Chaperone Guidelines

Your role as a chaperone is an important one and requires that you accept certain responsibilities. The following guidelines provide an overview of your responsibilities.

First and foremost is the safety of all students in your charge. Every child should be treated as your own. Always think of the children's safety first.
Be alert to potential dangers - stray animals, strangers, etc. Do not take chances. If necessary, move children to a safe place and inform the teacher.
A chaperone must be a parent or guardian of a child in the class taking the field trip. Exceptions must be approved by the principal prior to the trip.
A chaperone must be willing and physically able to participate in all activities.
It is important for all chaperones to arrive on time. Trips are planned to depart and return to school at specified times. Performances, tours, or activities during the trip are scheduled and delays may disrupt the field trip for everyone.
All chaperones must list their cell phone number on driver’s forms. Chaperones should exchange cell phone numbers prior to departing on the trip.
Your responsibility is to the children in your group. Parent chaperones are not permitted to bring other family members on school field trips. Do not bring along siblings or other children.
Introduce yourself and be sure that you know the names of the children in your group. Name tags or a list of students' names and emergency contacts will be supplied by the teacher. If a child refuses to follow your instructions, inform a teacher as soon as possible.
Do not leave children alone or unescorted. It is your responsibility to keep the group together and when necessary, escort children to the lavatory or entry of the lavatory.
Children are required to wear seat belts. We also need to follow California law with regard to booster seats. No child should be seated in the front seat. As you load your car, double check the seatbelts and remind students of car manners. Students may talk quietly, but must keep voices low. Students remain in their seats and buckled the entire car ride.
Do not purchase souvenirs or food without prior permission of the teacher. This includes side trips! Your car should be fully gassed and your food prepared so that you don’t need to stop while in transit. You must adhere to the field trip time lines.
Do not smoke or drink alcoholic beverages during the field trip.
Unless a child poses an imminent threat to the safety of him/herself or others, chaperones should never physically handle a youngster. Should a child refuse to follow your directions, inform the teacher immediately.
Do not release students to anyone other than the teacher.
Parents/guardians who want to take children home during a field trip must secure permission from the teacher.
Do not administer ANY medications to a youngster.
All medical situations must be referred to the classroom teacher.
Don't hesitate to ask questions if you have doubts as to what should be done in a given situation. The teacher is in charge, and her/his directions must be followed at all times. Please speak to the teacher if you have any concerns.