Thank you for your interest in volunteering in the Worth County School District. Community support is vital to the success of our schools, and we welcome and appreciate your willingness to serve.
Guidelines for Volunteer Levels
- Level 1 – Level 1 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have no direct interaction with students such as volunteers working on playground construction or assisting with facilities maintenance when school is not in session.
- Level 2 – Level 2 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have direct interaction with students with other adults present at all times (supervised at all times). When Level 2 volunteers interact with students, a Worth County School District employee or no fewer than two other adult volunteers must be present at all times. Examples of Level 2 volunteers include one day field trip chaperones, parents/guardians volunteering for a field day or book fair, classroom helpers, in-class tutors. Level 2 volunteers can perform all actions of a Level 1 volunteer.
- Level 3 – Level 3 volunteers are non-district personnel who will have direct, unsupervised interaction with students. Examples of Level 3 volunteers include chaperones on overnight field trips and mentors who have unsupervised interaction with students. Level 3 volunteers can perform all actions of Level 1 and Level 2 volunteers.
Note: School visitors are not considered volunteers. Examples of visitors include individuals who come to the school for the following reasons: visiting during lunch, at parties, at field day (only watching activities), at spring fling type activities such as giving out or taking tickets, dropping off goodies for a party; attending parent/teacher conferences, 504/IEP meetings, school wide and classroom programs; reading a book to the class with district personnel present at all times. This list is not exhaustive.
Criminal Background Check Requirements
In support of student safety, the superintendent requires that all schools and administrative offices identify and screen all volunteers in accordance with the following guidelines. Security clearances for volunteers must be renewed every three years.
Level 1
Level 1 volunteers do not require criminal background checks.
Level 2
Level 2 volunteers do not require criminal background checks. School staff shall check the volunteers’ names in the Georgia and federal sex offender registries. Registered sex offenders may not volunteer. School administrators shall have the discretion to pursue any other screening methods including, but not limited to, personal interviews and reference checks.
Level 3
Level 3 volunteers shall have a background check completed prior to service. The fee for this check is $15.00. Payment for the record check must be provided by the volunteer or a sponsoring organization, such as a business partner, Parent Teacher Organization, or the school. School administrators shall have the discretion to pursue any additional screening methods including, but not limited to, personal interviews and reference checks. Level 3 volunteers must be approved by the central office and the Principal of the school prior to participating in activities involving direct, unsupervised interaction with students.
Procedures
- Individuals interested in volunteering should contact the school Family Engagement Coordinator to complete the volunteer application.
- Only one application has to be completed for parents with children at multiple schools. Parents should complete the form at the school where the highest level of clearance is needed. Parents will be approved for volunteer activities at all levels for all schools based on the approved level of clearance.
- Each school will determine the level of the volunteer’s planned activities based on the guidelines for volunteers and inform applicants of approval to volunteer.
- The Family Engagement Coordinator will provide information on how to access the WCSD Mandated Reporter Training video and discuss the importance of confidentiality with all volunteers. Volunteers must sign the Volunteer Confidentiality/Mandated Reporter Agreement at all levels prior to volunteering in the schools. This training must be completed by volunteers at all levels prior to volunteering. Mandated Reporter Training is an annual requirement.
Qualifications of Volunteers
Prior to participating in a Worth County School District volunteer activity:
Level 1 volunteers must
- complete the Volunteer Application,
- meet security check requirements,
- receive approval from the school,
- complete Mandated Reporter Training
Level 2 volunteers must
- complete the Volunteer Application,
- meet security check requirements,
- receive approval from the school,
- complete Mandated Reporter Training
Level 3 volunteers must
- complete the Volunteer Application,
- have a background check completed,
- receive approval from HR and principal,
- complete Mandated Reporter Training
Volunteer Forms
2021-2022 Volunteer Application
Volunteer Confidentiality Agreement
If you have questions or need more information, please contact Christy Haskins, WCMS Parent & Family Engagement Coordinator/Media Specialist by email at chaskins@worthschools.net, or by phone at 229-776-8620.