Volunteering

• A Background Check Form is required for individuals who will volunteer within the school at any time during the school year under the guidelines of a comprehensive volunteer.
• From start to finish, the process can take 30-45 days to complete, so it’s best to fill it out as soon as possible.  Although the form is available for completion year-round, it is highly encouraged to complete or renew during the summer to avoid a backlog at the beginning of the school year.

Who should complete the background check form?

• "Any volunteer who will have direct contact with students without the continuous supervision of a present staff member for an extended period of time and/or on a long-term or regular basis (e.g., semester or school year) will be required to submit to a criminal background check, including, where appropriate and necessary, fingerprinting. Examples of such volunteer roles subject to this requirement include tutoring, assisting club or athletic activities, or chaperoning field trips during the school day where there isn’t a staff member present, overnight trips or activities.”
• Parent volunteers, and staff from other organizations are required to be fingerprinted through District 65, regardless of being fingerprinted through another organization (ETHS, Right at School, Y.O.U., Books and Breakfast, etc.). Volunteers are required to be fingerprinted through District 65 as that information is not shared between organizations.

For individuals who will be limited volunteers at the school on an occasional basis, an identification scan is required through Navigate 360 visitor management system, District 65’s visitor management system. The system helps to monitor visitors, parents, vendors, and volunteers. The system checks visitor information with an integrated, comprehensive database of registries for every state and the District of Columbia as well as orders of protection within our student information system.

Please note Navigate 360 visitor management system does not check or report on immigration or citizenship status.

Approved visitors will be asked to wear a printed name badge with their photo and return it to the main office when leaving the building.

Whether you are volunteering on a regular basis or for a one-time project or event, please arrive a few minutes early to park your vehicle and enter the building through the main entrance. Please notify the school office and/or supervising faculty member in advance if you are unable to make a prearranged volunteer event. If you are unable to reach your party, please leave a message with the school office.

Volunteers are required to sign in at the main office, which allows school personnel to locate you immediately in case of an emergency. This is a safety measure for all students and staff. Please see more details about this process in the tab above called "Navigate 360 Visitor Management System."

Please adhere to your specific volunteer assignment or designated visitor location. Visitors and volunteers may not walk the building or “visit” classrooms or areas that are not specific to their volunteer or visitor assignment. Volunteers and visitors may not utilize their time in the school to interrupt instruction, hold unscheduled parent conferences, take cell phone calls, monopolize staff time, or seek answers to questions during inappropriate times.

Parents/caregivers are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher through a phone call or email to ensure their questions are properly addressed. Visitors and volunteers should respect our teachers’ time, including during lunch breaks, as they have many responsibilities to conduct. Respectful interactions, courtesy, and being mindful of precious instructional time goes a long way to ensuring a positive, harmonious school experience for all.

As a school volunteer, you are part of a team supporting student success. Every team member is a role model for students. Setting an example of professionalism and good citizenship involves interacting with students, staff, and other visitors in a respectful manner. Accepting direction and responsibility and showing appreciation for school staff will set positive examples students will remember. School volunteer roles and participation/access to student activities are contingent upon respectful interactions with students and staff. Please be sure to read the Volunteer Handbook to learn more about the District's volunteer policy and some standard procedures for volunteers. It is our hope that you will derive a great deal of personal satisfaction from your time in our schools.