Category A Volunteers:

• All school and remote volunteer roles that support the school, staff, or students.
• This volunteer role can include direct student contact if the volunteer is supervised.
• District personnel must be on-site and within view if the volunteer will interact with students. Alternatively, another approved adult SPS volunteer must participate in the activity and always be present.
• Examples: classroom or library assistance, field trip planning, office or recess support, and school newsletter editor.

Category B Volunteers:

• Can chaperone field trips longer than three days (e.g., Nov. 5 departure and Nov. 8 return)
• Category B remote/virtual volunteers are matched with remote roles more intentionally, have their references checked specifically for online interactions with children and youth, and are required to follow extra safety protocols.
• Category B volunteers can also perform all Category A volunteer roles.

Category C Volunteers:

• All school and remote volunteer roles that involve contact with students without SPS staff or additional approved Category A volunteers present at all times.
• Additional screening is required for Category C volunteers. Please only apply for Category C if SPS staff specifically requested it.
• Category C volunteers can also perform all Category A and B volunteer roles.
• Examples: breakout room facilitator (in a virtual classroom), volunteer facilitating an official school club, one-on-one tutor (remote or at the school), mentor.

To apply to be a Category A, B, or C volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

Only approved Category A, B, or C School Volunteers can be recruited to serve in field trip chaperone or driver roles. Additional steps and screening are required.

To apply to be a field trip chaperone and/or driver:

1. Must be at least 21 years old for K-8 field trips and 25 years old for grades 9-12.
2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
3. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

4. Since field trip chaperones and drivers are entrusted with student supervision responsibilities, they must also learn about safety and understand SPS student supervision guidelines. Check with the field trip organizer and review the Field Trips Procedures page.

Student Volunteers

SPS students who volunteer at schools other than their assigned school are required to complete and submit the district School Volunteer application. The application is also advised if the student is volunteering in their own school to document service-learning hours.

The online application generates a parental agreement section when the applicant is a minor. Please note minors must be supervised by adults when volunteering with SPS students.

To apply to be a student school volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

Employee Volunteers

Full-time and part-time employees can volunteer their time in roles that are different from their paid work duties and outside their paid time. They must complete the SPS school volunteer application and chaperone guidelines if applicable. Substitute employees must complete the same steps as non-employees to volunteer with SPS (see school volunteer section above).

Additional background checks or proof of completing the Adult Sexual Misconduct Prevention course are not required (already verified by HR). Please apply using your SPS email address for easier identification.

To apply to be an employee school volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

3. In the application, please use your SPS email address for easier identification.

Remote Volunteers perform volunteer duties from home, work, or any location other than the classroom, school building, grounds, or any other type of school property.

To apply to be a remote volunteer:

1. Ask the staff member who recruited you for support to determine if the role will be a Category A or Category B school volunteer (see school volunteer section above).
2. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
3. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

One-Time Volunteer Enhancement Projects Volunteers

One-time Volunteer Enhancement Projects volunteers must complete a short Event Volunteer registration in the online Volunteer Portal.

To apply to be a one-time project volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4, select Event Volunteer.

3. Review more instructions on the Volunteer Enhancement Projects page.

Ongoing Project Volunteers

Volunteers who care for learning gardens or provide other projects support to schools on a regular basis, must be approved as Category A school volunteers (see school volunteers section above).

To apply to be an ongoing project volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4, select School Volunteer.

3. Review more instructions on the Volunteer Enhancement Projects page.

All Club Sports Coaches are onboarded by the school as Category C school volunteers with extra requirements (CPR & First Aid, Concussion, and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Courses).

To apply to be a Category C school volunteer:

1. Follow the Application Process steps listed on this page below.
2. After you click the application link in step 4 below, select School Volunteer.

3. In the application, select the Category C clearance level.

4. Provide copies of CPR and First Aid certificates and proof of completing Concussion and Sudden Cardiac Arrest Courses.
5. The staff member overseeing the club must ensure the volunteer completes all Category C and coaching requirements and files all paperwork with their Volunteer Program Liaison.

Club sports include:

• Cheer
• Cross Country
• Futsal
• Lacrosse
• Ultimate Frisbee
• Boys Volleyball (high school)
• Water Polo

Instead, visit the Athletics Department page for more information.

Athletic sports include:

The One-Time Volunteer role is a low-barrier opportunity for SPS families to support their student’s school community. This role is not intended for community members at large.

Schools can utilize the One-Time Volunteer role for one event in the school year where a more significant number of volunteers is needed for logistical support (e.g., Field Day, Promotion Ceremony). To ensure student safety, the following criteria must be met:

• Volunteers can provide logistical event support (set up, break down, counting laps, handing out programs, etc).
  • Volunteer roles focused on students (e.g., coordinating a student activity) must be assigned to approved school volunteers.
• Each volunteer must have an assigned staff or adult supervisor for the duration of the event.
• The volunteer role must not include any unsupervised exposure or contact with children.
• Volunteers must remain in open and public settings, always within the unobstructed view of staff or adult supervisors.
• The volunteer sign-up sheet must include an agreement that the volunteer will only volunteer at the school again once they are approved as a school volunteer.

Definition of a school visitor:

• A visitor is a person who was invited to attend a meeting with school staff or a school event.
• This person has no unsupervised exposure or contact with children.
• Visitors are required to report their presence at the school office or other designated locations, except for off-site events such as athletics, performing arts, etc.
• Examples: Parents attending conferences with teachers, guest/resource speakers, senior exhibition panel members, and family attending the Back to School Bash.

Visitors must:

• Be sponsored or approved by a school site or district employee.
• Sign in on the district-approved “Visitor Sign-in Sheet” in the main office.
• Display a visitor identification badge that they will surrender following the event or activity.
• Visitors must follow any additional school-specific visitor rules.