Volunteering at school

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they made changes a few weeks ago to make it more realistic. Now you only need the background check and fingerprinting if you want to be Level 3, which is field trip chaperones and direct supervision of students. Good changes.

That said, it’s still going to be thousands of parent volunteer applications. With just one HR employee in charge of processing them (ask anyone who’s been to Gatehouse, and they’ll tell you), this might take a while.

How does this work for All Night Grad Parties which require hundred plus volunteer chaperones?

I have gone through that event twice at a school with tons of involved parents. All Night Grad Party always goes down to the wire, with the organizers begging to fill the late night chaperone spots, sometimes the day of the event.

There is no way that the schools will be able to run their All Night Grad Parties if fingerprints are required, not just at the lower performing schools but also for they high involvement high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:+1. Not to mention there wouldn’t be a way to do Level 1 or 2 kiosk checkin after hours when the office is closed. These are just additional reasons why it seems like all of this must only be meant for volunteerism during the school day. It’s not like the boosters or the PTA have access to any of this for checking people in.

How are they going to scan IDs at cross country meets or the other outdoor sporting events?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, they made changes a few weeks ago to make it more realistic. Now you only need the background check and fingerprinting if you want to be Level 3, which is field trip chaperones and direct supervision of students. Good changes.

That said, it’s still going to be thousands of parent volunteer applications. With just one HR employee in charge of processing them (ask anyone who’s been to Gatehouse, and they’ll tell you), this might take a while.

How does this work for All Night Grad Parties which require hundred plus volunteer chaperones?

I have gone through that event twice at a school with tons of involved parents. All Night Grad Party always goes down to the wire, with the organizers begging to fill the late night chaperone spots, sometimes the day of the event.

There is no way that the schools will be able to run their All Night Grad Parties if fingerprints are required, not just at the lower performing schools but also for they high involvement high schools.

Well, reading between the lines … it sounds like they kind of want to eliminate a lot of those things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought I was level 3, but now I think I’m not. I think I need a virtual visit for some strange reason, but they are booked all the way out. However, there’s a loophole. If you have started the process, you can volunteer. So I think I’m good for this year.

Does the loophole include level 3/field trips if you've already been approved for level 2?

[Anonymous]

I think they’ll have to make some kind of exception for fall field trips for people who are in-process…otherwise these field trips just won’t be able to happen. It feels like they weren’t prepared for the volume of volunteers!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I thought I was level 3, but now I think I’m not. I think I need a virtual visit for some strange reason, but they are booked all the way out. However, there’s a loophole. If you have started the process, you can volunteer. So I think I’m good for this year.

Level 3 is the one where you need fingerprints etc. if you have started the process and watched the video, you’re #2 and can volunteer in roles other than chaperoning

[Anonymous]

Ok let’s fast forward to background check turns up a reckless driving charge for speeding or an arrest for a protest. Or a DUI. Or shoplifting. Armed robbery of a Circuit City in 1992. A murder or two on the record..

Like what is the criteria for being rejected? Lots of people have things that will come up to varying degrees. What disqualifies to be a volunteer? Anything bad? Only some bad things? Bad things that are within the last N years?

[Anonymous]

My kids’ ES can no longer find enough volunteers for the after school enrichments - they just need one or two parents at every class to help sign kids in and out and dismiss them, but oops you need the level 3 background check for that and no one has it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kids’ ES can no longer find enough volunteers for the after school enrichments - they just need one or two parents at every class to help sign kids in and out and dismiss them, but oops you need the level 3 background check for that and no one has it.

But do they really need the Level 3 check for that? Someone said this only applies to school-day volunteers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok let’s fast forward to background check turns up a reckless driving charge for speeding or an arrest for a protest. Or a DUI. Or shoplifting. Armed robbery of a Circuit City in 1992. A murder or two on the record..

Like what is the criteria for being rejected? Lots of people have things that will come up to varying degrees. What disqualifies to be a volunteer? Anything bad? Only some bad things? Bad things that are within the last N years?

Virginia assembly passed a law this past session that severely limits the type of crimes that even show on a background check for landlords, employers or volunteering. It is like just a handful of very violent felonies that appear.

The new Virginia background check restrictions make this even more performative.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ok let’s fast forward to background check turns up a reckless driving charge for speeding or an arrest for a protest. Or a DUI. Or shoplifting. Armed robbery of a Circuit City in 1992. A murder or two on the record..

Like what is the criteria for being rejected? Lots of people have things that will come up to varying degrees. What disqualifies to be a volunteer? Anything bad? Only some bad things? Bad things that are within the last N years?

And how often will they recheck?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids’ ES can no longer find enough volunteers for the after school enrichments - they just need one or two parents at every class to help sign kids in and out and dismiss them, but oops you need the level 3 background check for that and no one has it.

But do they really need the Level 3 check for that? Someone said this only applies to school-day volunteers.

They’re saying in the emails that they do. This whole process is such a mess and so disappointing.

[Anonymous]

Write to your school board members and Dr. Reid. They need to hear how frustrating this is for people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids’ ES can no longer find enough volunteers for the after school enrichments - they just need one or two parents at every class to help sign kids in and out and dismiss them, but oops you need the level 3 background check for that and no one has it.

But do they really need the Level 3 check for that? Someone said this only applies to school-day volunteers.

They’re saying in the emails that they do. This whole process is such a mess and so disappointing.

Which emails?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kids’ ES can no longer find enough volunteers for the after school enrichments - they just need one or two parents at every class to help sign kids in and out and dismiss them, but oops you need the level 3 background check for that and no one has it.

But do they really need the Level 3 check for that? Someone said this only applies to school-day volunteers.

They’re saying in the emails that they do. This whole process is such a mess and so disappointing.

Which emails?

Emails from the PTA about volunteering for field trips and for the after school enrichment program.

“ Enrichments are starting soon! Don't forget to sign up! We are also looking for parent volunteers (who will receive one free enrollment). However, volunteers must have started the Volunteer FCPS process for a level 3 approval.”