Have you been thinking about volunteering for one of our schools lately? Maybe you’ve seen some of the great work our volunteers are doing, or perhaps you’re looking for a rewarding way to spend some of your free time! District volunteers are an integral part of our school ecosystem– after all, they help to build a bridge between schools and communities, help out our students and staff, and lend a hand to a school district with over 100,000 students and counting. When it comes to volunteering, each school has different needs, but one thing is certain: your efforts to come in and volunteer at one of our schools will leave a lasting impression on our students and staff, often for years to come. So, if you’re thinking “Maybe next school year I’d like to volunteer a bit”, then you’re in luck! Summer is a great time to get your volunteer packet completed and ask any questions that you may have before the rush of the new school year. Read on to find out more about the process and how you can get help if needed!

When it comes to the volunteer packet, the best place to start is our website, www.philasd.org/face/volunteer. If you look at the bottom of the page, there is a checklist of all the things you will need to complete in order to volunteer.

Click the flyer above to view the Volunteer Paperwork requirements in 10 languages!

First, you will need to print out and sign a copy of the Volunteer Code of Conduct– this is a list of rules all volunteers must follow when volunteering. Next, you must complete the required security clearances. The first clearance is the Child Abuse History Clearance. Check out our page for detailed instructions on how to complete it. Next, there is the PA State Criminal History Check. After you complete those two (both of which are free for volunteers!), there is the third clearance. If you HAVE lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, you just need to print out and sign a Volunteer Affirmation form. If you HAVE NOT lived in PA for the past 10 years continuously, you need to sign up for the FBI Background Check, which will require you to go to an Identogo facility and get fingerprinting done. Click HERE to find out more about both the affirmation form and FBI Background Check. Lastly, you’ll need to watch our orientation video and complete our Volunteer Orientation quiz. After you watch the video and complete the quiz, you will be sent a copy of your certificate. Once you have all these documents, you have completed the volunteer packet!

A few things to remember after completing your packet:

• Once completed, your packet/clearances are valid for five years from the date you received them.
• Make sure you keep copies of all the documents in your volunteer packet just in case.
• When the new school year begins, contact the main office of the school you wish to volunteer at and let them know you’d like to volunteer and you have your volunteer packet/clearances. They can let you know the next steps and what volunteering opportunities are available.

If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to volunteer@philasd.org or call us at 215-400-4180, option #6.

Finally, thank you so much for your interest in volunteering. It is volunteers such as yourself that help to make our school District a welcoming place for all students. Have a safe and relaxing summer!