STUDENT PERMISSION FORMS

STUDENT PERMISSION FORMS

&

VOLUNTEER FORMS

PROVIDED HERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT FORMS THAT YOU WILL WANT TO UTILIZE WHEN ORGANIZING YOUR PROGRAM AND SIGNING UP STUDENTS FOR THE PROGRAM.

INSTRUCTIONS ARE GIVEN HERE ON HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN STUDENT PERMISSION FORMS AND VOLUNTEER FORMS.

Student forms…What to include…

First you would start out with a title or heading at the top of the page complete with names and phone numbers of people to contact for more information.

Secondly, include a short basic statement explaining the permission form … for example:

"Those interested in coming each week to Release Time need to have this form signed by a Parent or Guardian. This permission form allows those interested to be able to attend Release Time. The decision whether or not to attend is a weekly decision. The permission form does not force attendance, it only gives those interested the freedom to attend. How often a student attends is up to them. Release Time is set to begin (month, date, day of week & year). The program will be held on (what day of the week) each week. A time schedule is provided here for both the 3^rd and 4^th grades."

A time schedule should look something like this…….

4^th grade students:

Leave school @ 12:30

Arrive @ church 12:40

Leave church @ 1:20

Arrive @ school 1:30

3^rd grade students:

Leave school @ 1:40

Arrive @ church 1:50

Leave church @ 2:30

Arrive @ school 2:40

Keep in mind that your Release Time class may be held during a different time of day than shown above. The key to figuring out a schedule is as follows…

Find out how long it will take to transport the children from the school to the church. Lets just say that it will take about 10 minutes. Your total time to and from the church will be 20 minutes.
If the students walk to the program, then simply walk the distance yourself and calculate how long it would take.
Let’s say that your Release Time hour is from 12:30 to 1:30. You want to show them leaving the school at 12:30 and, arriving to the church 10 minutes later. You need to show them arriving back at school at 1:30, so you would show them leaving the church 10 minutes sooner (1:20). This actually will give you 40 minutes with the children. Time is precious, so you’ll have to hustle!

Next you need to provide places for the parent or guardian to give all the information needed. For example:

Child’s Name ______________________________

Grade and Teacher_________________________

Address and Phone ________________________

Check All That Apply:

___ YES, My child has my permission to attend Release Time Classes.

___ NO, My child does not have my permission to attend Release Time Classes.

___ YES, I would like to volunteer my help with the Release Time Program. Please call me at:___________________________________

___ YES, I would like to make a donation to aid in the costs of materials for the program. Enclosed is a donation in the amount of…____________ (make checks payable to (name of program))

Signed _________________________________

Date ___________________________________

Finally, provide the following information at the bottom of the permission form…

"Please remember that the school cannot release your child for this program unless they have written permission from you. Please try to have this form back to school on or before the beginning date for Release Time (month, day, year) so that we can compile our attendance list from them."
"If you have any questions, please call us at the above numbers."
"Thank You! ( your name and signature here)"

You will need to include a letter to the parents along with your permission form. The letter will aid in explaining the program in more detail. Even though Release Time has been going on in our area since 1968, there are many, which have children in the public school who do not know anything about the program. No matter what the situation, an informative letter will answer most of the questions a parent would have. Below is an example of what you could include in your parent letter…

"Dear Parent,

We are excited to announce the beginning of a wonderful program here at (name of school). The program I am speaking of is called ‘Release Time’. Release Time simply put is a program in which each public school student is allowed to be released from school, upon written request from a parent or guardian, to attend one hour per week of Bible Study Classes at an off campus site. We are conducting classes in a non-denominational setting where the Bible is the only textbook. No denominational doctrine will be introduced.

The program got its start in 1914 by a school superintendent in Gary Indiana and has been growing and thriving ever sense in several states across the country.

Each year we will be conducting classes in a different church in order to give the whole community an opportunity to participate. This year (name of church or public building you are holding classes in) will be our host. A school bus will transport the children to and from the (church or building) and school.

Throughout the semester each child will be provided with pencils, paper, folders, bibles and treats. The donations we receive aids in the costs of these items. A donation is not required to attend Release Time, but is welcomed.

Release Time as a whole is meant to enhance, not replace the Biblical instruction done at home or in church. It is our goal to help you further your child’s foundation in the Bible. Parent participation is always encouraged. The children love it when someone they love (parent, pastor, grandparent, aunt, uncle etc.) comes to sit in on the class and help out, and we love it too. If you are interested in helping please indicate it on the permission form or just call one of us.

Release Time is set to begin on (Day of week, month, date and year). On this day we will send home a dated list of lessons so you can keep up with what your child is learning as well as what days RT will be in session. We try to make the learning experience as exciting as possible. It is our goal also to present the Bible to each child in a manner that is understandable to them and on their level. We are looking forward to meeting you and your child very soon.

In Christian Love and Service,"

(Your name, title and signature)

Remember to include a letterhead at the top of the letter complete with contact information.

Please keep in mind that these examples of permission forms and parent letters are general. You will have to customize the wording and other information to suit your program. Also keep in mind that you will have to get these forms Okayed by your school principal before sending home with the students.

Example of a Release Time Volunteer Form

Keeping an accurate record of your volunteers is a very helpful thing to do. Not only will it provide contact information, but will enable you to place your volunteers where they can best function in the ministry, using the talents God gave them!

The following are things you may want to include on your form. You can adjust your form to suit your specific needs.

Include at the top of the form a heading complete with contact information, and name of program or ministry if applicable.

Provide a place for the volunteer to give their Name, Address, Phone number, Email etc.

Ask the following questions:

How long have you been a born again Christian? Briefly share your testimony and how you became a Christian.

Where do you go to church? . . . How long? . . . Address . . . Phone . . . Pastor . . .

Do you work with children now in your church? In what capacity?

Have you ever done any volunteer work in the Public Schools?

List at least two references: Name/ Years known/ Address/ Phone/ Relationship

Have you served in a program like this before? If so, where and when?

What special talents do you posses that will benefit the program? For Example:

(Able to play a certain instrument; Good with crafts; A good organizer; Singing voice; Typing and other office type skills etc.)

What area of ministry would you like to work in? Check all that apply…

. ___ Teacher

. ___ Music Director

. ___ Program Director

. ___ Assistant Program Director

. ___ Bus Monitor

. ___ Supply and Treat Coordinator

. ___ Party Coordinator

. ___ Fund Raising Coordinator

. ___ Teachers Aid

. ___ Secretary (typing, record keeping etc.)

. ___ Youth Minister

. ___ Other / Explain . . . . . . .

Explain why you would like to volunteer in this Release Time Program. Feel free to add any other comments that you think may be important . . . . . . .

Signature . . . Date . . .

Additional note: Some Release Time program Directors have added questions that require more personal information, such as "Have you ever been convicted of a crime?" . . . or . . . "Have you ever spent time in jail?" etc.

These types of questions can be added or omitted depending upon your particular situation. These questions are usually meant to sniff out any potential pedophile, someone that just wants to get involved to be close to children for the WRONG reasons. This is one very important reason why if the smaller classroom set up is utilized; there should always be two adults present at all times in the room. Possibly have both a teacher and a teachers aid (helper) in the room.

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