Volunteering at school

[Anonymous]

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

I know other states and districts do require the full background check for volunteers and I’m not even 100% opposed to it. But it seems like in many other states, it was something handed down from the state legislature, and every district knew about it and was able to give a long period of notice (at least 6+ months and more likely a year) for would-be volunteers and the districts to get their affairs in order. Like I don’t think this would be such a mess if they had announced at the end of last school year that these requirements would be in place for the beginning of the 26-27 school year and we’ll be beefing up staff at Gatehouse for the year to get all these fingerprints done and here is a full FAQ about what is disqualifying for a volunteer, who needs to get fingerprints vs. who can just scan their ID at a kiosk, etc. etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

I know other states and districts do require the full background check for volunteers and I’m not even 100% opposed to it. But it seems like in many other states, it was something handed down from the state legislature, and every district knew about it and was able to give a long period of notice (at least 6+ months and more likely a year) for would-be volunteers and the districts to get their affairs in order. Like I don’t think this would be such a mess if they had announced at the end of last school year that these requirements would be in place for the beginning of the 26-27 school year and we’ll be beefing up staff at Gatehouse for the year to get all these fingerprints done and here is a full FAQ about what is disqualifying for a volunteer, who needs to get fingerprints vs. who can just scan their ID at a kiosk, etc. etc.

I’m the pp who said to write to the school board, and yes, I completely agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Interesting, thank you. So, pair that VA information with the fact that the computer in school lobbies already does a name scan against the sex registry database, and what are we left trying to prevent with these parent checks?

[Anonymous]

How long did it take you to get a response from volunteer fcpu edu? It’s been a week - nothing! I’m stuck and have no idea what to do to move my application forward!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long did it take you to get a response from volunteer fcpu edu? It’s been a week - nothing! I’m stuck and have no idea what to do to move my application forward!

I only applied for level 2 but I got a response in about a week.

[Anonymous]

The PTA board at back to school night said level 3 was required for anyone who is in the school or at a school event when kids were there. The lower levels will apparently only work for volunteering when students aren’t in school, so stuff like setting up the book fair before or after school. Curious to know if anyone else was told the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The PTA board at back to school night said level 3 was required for anyone who is in the school or at a school event when kids were there. The lower levels will apparently only work for volunteering when students aren’t in school, so stuff like setting up the book fair before or after school. Curious to know if anyone else was told the same.

This is not at all accurate. Level 3 is for activities with direct, unsupervised interaction with students, such as field trip chaperones or one-on-on mentoring. See https://www.fcps.edu/get-involved/volunteer-fcps for the level descriptions.

Additionally, this is only applicable for school day volunteerism, not the evening events run by the PTA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Interesting, thank you. So, pair that VA information with the fact that the computer in school lobbies already does a name scan against the sex registry database, and what are we left trying to prevent with these parent checks?

Murder, kidnapping, trafficking, distribution of drugs - I mean that’s just a start.

[Anonymous]

I was trying to get a level 3 clearance so I could volunteer for anything. I registered on their website but haven't received any further instructions and never got any video I was supposed to watch.

Really confused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was trying to get a level 3 clearance so I could volunteer for anything. I registered on their website but haven't received any further instructions and never got any video I was supposed to watch.

Really confused.

When you log in, a workflow should show up. The video is one of the first few steps in that. Some people are finding nothing happens when they first register, but then after they log out and log back in, they have the workflow.

[Anonymous]

Started an application for level 3 because I figure a lot of people won't do it and field trips may get cancelled as a result. I seem to be stalled at step 3, which now says my application is complete and awaiting school or program manager review. How long did that part take you? It says to reach out to the school program manager if it hasn't moved in a couple of days, but I'm not sure who that would be at the school. Anyone have any insight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Started an application for level 3 because I figure a lot of people won't do it and field trips may get cancelled as a result. I seem to be stalled at step 3, which now says my application is complete and awaiting school or program manager review. How long did that part take you? It says to reach out to the school program manager if it hasn't moved in a couple of days, but I'm not sure who that would be at the school. Anyone have any insight?

Yes, at step three it has to be approved to the school level before it moves on. At some schools, it’s the family liaison. At some schools, it’s one of the people in the main office. If you call your school, they should be able to tell you. Key word here being “should.” Different schools are at different places with this. It seems like some may not have gotten started yet or may just be getting started.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Started an application for level 3 because I figure a lot of people won't do it and field trips may get cancelled as a result. I seem to be stalled at step 3, which now says my application is complete and awaiting school or program manager review. How long did that part take you? It says to reach out to the school program manager if it hasn't moved in a couple of days, but I'm not sure who that would be at the school. Anyone have any insight?

At my kids’ school, that is the family liaison. I guess if your school doesn’t have one, try one of the front office staff or even the principal/assistant principal?

[Anonymous]

Anyone make it past step 8? I went to gatehouse last week for the in-person part and it’s still on step 8 asking me to reschedule.

[Anonymous]

It's about time. Why on earth would we background check and fingerprint all the teachers and staff, and then let just anyone walk around the school and spend time with small children? It's incredibly easy to get alone time with elementary kids, and they are completely trusting of adults. It should have been done long ago.