APS visitor policy - does it really prevent parents from attending school events without background check?

[Anonymous]

We had a school event today (involves parents going to the classroom) where I was denied access to the school on the basis that I did not complete the volunteer process (even though I did complete the school's visitor process - had my ID pre-registered). The principal is citing APS policy.

But on the APS website it actually says this applies only if you plan to volunteer on a regular basis which this clearly wasn't the case:

For the 2023-24 school year, everyone who wants to support our schools and students as a volunteer on a regular basis must complete the process. This includes those who chaperone lunch, help in the classroom, attend field trips, volunteers in other capacity, and also includes enrichment providers. You are only exempt from the application and training if you will only volunteer once. If only volunteering once, you can sign in as a visitor.

https://www.apsva.us/volunteers-partnerships/volunteer-in-a-school/

Am I missing something? If this indeed was a violation (or overzealous application) of the APS Policy, who should I complain to?

[Anonymous]

It's a 30 minute video about sexual harassment that you have to watch one time. Our school sends out endless notices about that requirement. Having said that, a lot of parents get turned away for not fulfilling that requirement. You'll learn for the next time.

[Anonymous]

Lodge a complaint with your boss for not letting you volunteer more in the classroom. It’s mid-April. This is the first time you’ve been to the school during the school day?

[Anonymous]

That's not the point. The point are they really legally allowed to do that (in which case the law/policy is the problem)? Or are they making it up (in which case the school is the problem) For regular volunteers I can understand the requirement. For a parent coming to school once in a blue moon this is an overreach in my opinion. Why do I have to "learn" to jump through additional hoops with no reasonable rationale for it. Who know what they will come up with next - mentality of just complying with everything that gets thrown at you without any critical thinking is not the way to go.

[Anonymous]

Was today the first to me you attended an event for any of your kids?

Because they seem to be defining regular as coming back a second time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lodge a complaint with your boss for not letting you volunteer more in the classroom. It’s mid-April. This is the first time you’ve been to the school during the school day?

I have 2 kids in elementary in APS and have had zero need to go during the day. Unless it's for a concert or a field day, where they don't usually use the same screening because you are signed in as a visitor, not a volunteer. Mine don't like me to chaperone field trips, so I don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's not the point. The point are they really legally allowed to do that (in which case the law/policy is the problem)? Or are they making it up (in which case the school is the problem) For regular volunteers I can understand the requirement. For a parent coming to school once in a blue moon this is an overreach in my opinion. Why do I have to "learn" to jump through additional hoops with no reasonable rationale for it. Who know what they will come up with next - mentality of just complying with everything that gets thrown at you without any critical thinking is not the way to go.

If you are someone who believes protecting children from sexual assault isn’t a reasonable rationale then please don’t go in classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lodge a complaint with your boss for not letting you volunteer more in the classroom. It’s mid-April. This is the first time you’ve been to the school during the school day?

I have 2 kids in elementary in APS and have had zero need to go during the day. Unless it's for a concert or a field day, where they don't usually use the same screening because you are signed in as a visitor, not a volunteer. Mine don't like me to chaperone field trips, so I don't.

So you went to field day which was your one use of the visitor process and now you need to use the other process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's not the point. The point are they really legally allowed to do that (in which case the law/policy is the problem)? Or are they making it up (in which case the school is the problem) For regular volunteers I can understand the requirement. For a parent coming to school once in a blue moon this is an overreach in my opinion. Why do I have to "learn" to jump through additional hoops with no reasonable rationale for it. Who know what they will come up with next - mentality of just complying with everything that gets thrown at you without any critical thinking is not the way to go.

To be frank, an adult volunteering in the classroom or going on fields trips needs to have a background and fingerprint check. I dont know you.

Once in a blue moon could be 3-4 a year. Thats not once. Second, it should be done when your kid enters the school and then you have 6 years of volunteering so it ends up being multiple times over the course of the year.

I had to pay 68 for a fingerprint and background check to do these things. Just like every adult in the school. If its too big a hump for you oh well.

[Anonymous]

I’m confused, were you volunteering or there to attend some all parent type event? I completed the training and I’m in the school regularly, my husband has not but has had no issue going to attend events.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, I don't have enough imagination to figure out how I could even begin to perpetrate sexual assault in a classroom with 20 kids and at least 10 or so other adults over an hour event on the school premises...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused, were you volunteering or there to attend some all parent type event? I completed the training and I’m in the school regularly, my husband has not but has had no issue going to attend events.

It was an in-classroom event from the OP which is different IMO from a group gathering like a concert or school-wide event. If you are in the CLASSROOM you need to go through the process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sorry, I don't have enough imagination to figure out how I could even begin to perpetrate sexual assault in a classroom with 20 kids and at least 10 or so other adults over an hour event on the school premises...

Its not about you. Its about consistency and covering bases. And having regulations for who needs to go through the process. Stop wanting the rules bent for you. The rules exist, follow them and stop whining.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m confused, were you volunteering or there to attend some all parent type event? I completed the training and I’m in the school regularly, my husband has not but has had no issue going to attend events.

I wasn't volunteering. Attending an all parent type event, but it involved going into your child's classroom.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I am surprised how lax some schools and organizations are concerning background checks and applications/training considering how ramped up it is in other outside organizations. Some churches, scouts, etc require everyone to have background checks, they have videos and tests, and applications. I was shocked how easy it was to volunteer and be with youth at schools considering the extensive training and checks elsewhere.