Ignite Positivity: Join the Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP)!

Join Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP) and Make a Difference!

Unlock the power of positivity and become a source of inspiration for Pickerington Schools by joining the Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP)!

Are you passionate about creating a supportive and uplifting educational environment? Do you believe in the power of positive relationships to shape student success? As a PoPP volunteer, you’ll play a vital role in guiding our junior high and high school students toward better decisions while fostering a culture of encouragement and growth.

Your presence and support will help students build confidence, make positive choices, and navigate life’s challenges. By working together, we can spread positivity throughout Pickerington Schools, strengthening our community with kindness, resilience, and connection.

Why PoPP Matters

Research underscores the profound impact of parental involvement in schools. According to Panorama survey data, students in schools with PoPP volunteers report a stronger sense of belonging, contributing to their academic and emotional well-being. Studies by leading scholars Karen Mapp (Harvard) and Joyce Epstein (Johns Hopkins University) further highlight the benefits—students with engaged parents achieve higher grades, demonstrate better behavior, have improved attendance, and are more likely to graduate and pursue higher education.

PoPP strengthens the bond between parents, students, and staff, creating a collaborative environment that fosters student success inside and outside the classroom. Your involvement will help build an inclusive and supportive educational community where every student can thrive.

Be the Change—Join PoPP Today!

Seize the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Join PoPP today and be part of this transformative program that empowers students, strengthens relationships, and shapes a brighter future for all.

POPP Info Center

What is PoPP?

Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP) is a dynamic program that harnesses the power of parent volunteers to enrich our schools. At Pickerington Local Schools, we recognize the invaluable role parents play in education—not only as supporters of their own children but as essential partners in fostering a strong, connected school community. Their presence reinforces the message that education is a priority, worthy of time, dedication, and collective effort.

PoPP is designed to actively engage parents within the schools their children attend, creating a welcoming environment that fosters a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. Through this initiative, parents contribute to a positive school culture while strengthening relationships between students, staff, and families.

The Power of PoPP

At its core, PoPP ensures that our school buildings are filled with caring, engaged adults who are committed to spreading positivity and building meaningful connections. PoPP volunteers play a key role in:

Enhancing School Climate: Creating a supportive and encouraging atmosphere where students and staff feel valued.
Strengthening Relationships: Building trust and connections between parents, students, and educators.
Promoting Student Success: Encouraging students to make positive choices and reach their full potential.

By joining PoPP, you become an integral part of this impactful initiative, helping to shape a culture of collaboration, encouragement, and success within Pickerington Schools. Together, we can empower students to thrive—both academically and personally.

Get Involved Today!

Join PoPP and take an active role in your child's educational journey. Your involvement makes a difference, and together, we can continue to build a vibrant, supportive school community where every student has the opportunity to succeed. Become a PoPP volunteer today!

What is it like to be a PoPP Volunteer?

A typical day as a Parents on Positivity Patrol (PoPP) volunteer begins by signing in at the main office and collecting a PoPP vest and walkie-talkie. Once equipped, volunteers proceed to their designated patrol area, as assigned by the school administration. Their primary role is to foster a welcoming and positive atmosphere, greeting students and staff with warmth and encouragement. PoPP volunteers are not disciplinarians but rather serve as supportive and uplifting presences within the school community.

To ensure comprehensive coverage, PoPP volunteers work in pairs, monitoring key areas such as hallways, restrooms, and cafeterias. Our goal is to recruit a diverse team of at least 100 volunteers, allowing us to effectively meet the unique needs of our schools. Volunteer schedules are flexible and based on both school requirements and individual availability. Whether you can dedicate a few hours on select days or volunteer for an extended period, your presence makes a meaningful impact.

Make a Difference—Join PoPP Today!

By joining PoPP, you play an essential role in creating a nurturing, supportive environment where students feel valued and encouraged to succeed. Together, we can build a culture of positivity that enhances the educational experience for every child.

Become a PoPP volunteer today and help shape a brighter future for our students!

How do I become a PoPP Volunteer?

Becoming a PoPP volunteer is a simple and rewarding process. Follow these steps to get started:

Complete and submit the PoPP volunteer application- Click on the application on the website and complete the Google Form.
Complete a Background Check Obtain your Level 2 volunteer approval to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.
Participate in Training – Engage in specialized training designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful impact.
Commit to Just One Day a Month – By volunteering just one day per month during the school year, you’ll help create a positive and supportive school environment while making a lasting difference in students’ lives.

Ready to Make an Impact?

Join PoPP today and become a vital part of our mission to foster a welcoming and encouraging school community.

Questions?

Email us at PoPP@plsd.us.

PoPP Volunteer Guide

FERPA Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are "eligible students." Please read and familiarize yourself with the information on the U.S. Department of Education's website. This link opens in a new window.

PoPP Volunteer Responsibilities

Build positive relationships with students and staff
Help redirect students acting against the student code of conduct, building policies, and procedures
Monitor building common areas, including restrooms, to ensure student compliance with student code of conduct
Check that students outside of their assigned area have a written hall pass
Abide by all Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) regulations, including, but not limited to, keeping communication with students and staff confidential except for disclosure to authorized individuals.
Refrain from posting to social media any information protected by FERPA, including but not limited to, information regarding events or situations occurring in the school or on the school grounds
Refrain from providing personal or identifying information regarding students, staff, or events to anyone inside or outside of the school district

School Safety Rules

Escort all building visitors to the office.
Visitors must sign in at the Welcome desk and receive a visitors badge.
If you have a keys or key cards, do not share or give that card to anyone else.
Exterior doors must be closed and locked at all times. Do not prop exterior doors open!
All exterior doors with the exception of the two main lobbies are alarmed throughout the school day.
Students may not leave the building without permission.
Students must be under the supervision of an adult while in the building.
Students must have a written pass to be in the hallways during class.
Study hall and lunch are considered classes. Students need to be in those locations on time and for the duration of the scheduled period.

Only one person may be in a bathroom stall at a time.
Students need to exit the building by 3:15 unless under the direct supervision of an adult.

Fire Alarms/Drills

Medical Emergencies

Get help.
- Call out “help'' to alert others to come to your aid. Yell loudly. You need to be loud enough that other people can hear you.
- If you hear someone yelling for help, you are required to attend to them.
When help arrives, tell the staff member/student to contact the office and to get the AED.
- Tell the office if the injured/ill person is conscious or unconscious. If you know the person's name, tell the office staff what it is.
- Tell the office staff where you are in the building.
- Tell the office staff any other information you think is relevant such as, the person's appearance, demeanor, injury, etc.
If the injured/ill person is not breathing, begin hands only CPR. If you are certified in CPR then perform full CPR.
The office will announce the emergency with location on the walkie-talkie and do a building “all call” for a NON-EMERGENCY MEDICAL LOCKDOWN.
- Office staff will state the location of the emergency so all available personnel can report to the scene of the emergency.
- Students will be kept in the classrooms until the lockdown is released.
- When an administrator reports to the scene, the administrator releases any staff members or students who are not needed at the scene, and verifies that 911 has been called.
Assignments for a medical emergency:
- The office staff-person receiving the report of the medical emergency will call 911 and tell the dispatcher if the victim is unresponsive (unconscious) and any other pertinent information.
- Office staff will then do a building page by walkie-talkie and then over the PA, alerting other staff and students to the situation including where it is in the building.
  - “We have a non-emergency medical lockdown in the ______ hallway. Please remain in your area until we release the lockdown!"
- Guidance staff/support staff will retrieve the AEDs and bring them to the scene of the emergency.
- Health Clinic staff will bring the student’s emergency medical form to the site.
- Health Clinic staff will bring medical and first aid supplies to the scene of the emergency.
Staff members or students will continue to do CPR – taking turns - until the AED arrives.
Once the AED arrives, follow the commands of the device until EMS arrives.

This procedure occurs anytime you come across a victim in distress.

Intruder Lockdown

A lockdown will be announced over the PA system with the level of the lockdown and instructions.
Staff will gather students who are not in a room and find the closest secure place to shelter in place.
The announcer will announce where the intruder is in the building, what he/she is wearing and in which direction he/she is going.
Teachers and students will lock the door and will barricade if the intruder is near their area.
If the intruder is not near the area, teachers will make a judgment call to evacuate the building and report to their reunification site. Ask your Point Person where this is!
Staff members should have a plan in mind of how they will react to a situation.

PoPP Forms

Student Handbooks/Code of Conduct

Athletic Handbook

Elementary & Middle School Handbook

High School & Junior High Handbook