Q: Who is allowed to volunteer?
A: Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as other members of the community at least 18 years of age interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and energies to support FCPS students.
Q: I registered to volunteer last year, do I have to do it again this year?
A: Yes! Our volunteer process is conducted annually. Each year on June 30 our volunteer pool expires and families and community members are invited to apply for the coming school year.
Q: Can I volunteer at more than one school?
A: Yes! During the application process, you may select multiple schools where you would like to volunteer. If you wish to add additional schools after approval, please contact the FCPS Volunteer Center at [email protected].
Q: My child goes to this school. Do I need to be screened each time?
A: Yes, parents are required to go through the same process as all volunteers each time.
Q: What does the screening process consist of?
A: All volunteers are checked against the sex offender database and local alerts. Additionally, front desk staff and school administrators may screen against school records to match volunteers to students as necessary.
Q: Why am I being asked to comply with a background check?
A: If a volunteer has direct, unsupervised and uncontrolled access to students, FCPS Regulation 400-86, Volunteers in Schools, requires further screening.
Q: I have a criminal record. Can I still volunteer?
A: A record of conviction does not automatically exclude an individual from being considered for volunteer service.
Q: I am an FCPS staff member. Do I need to register as a volunteer?
A: If a staff member is volunteering their time as a parent and not an employee, all regulations and processes related to volunteers should be followed. The employees performing as parent volunteers should complete the entire registration and training process as outlined.
Q: I am having a hard time registering as a volunteer. Who do I contact?
A: If you are experiencing technical issues with completing the volunteer application, please email: [email protected].
Q: How will I know if my volunteer application has been approved?
A: Once your application is submitted, no further action is required. The FCPS Volunteer Center will review your application, and you will receive an email notification once your volunteer status has been determined. To check the status of your application please contact [email protected].
Q: ¡Solo hablo español! ¿La capacitación está disponible en español? (I only speak Spanish! Is the training available in Spanish?)
A: ¡SÃ! El proceso de capacitación y registro está disponible en español. Por favor, utilice el enlace de capacitación en español. (Yes! The training and registration process is available in Spanish. Please use the Spanish training link.)
Q: Do I need to register as an FCPS volunteer?
A: Volunteer registration and training is required for individuals who work directly with students or student information on an ongoing or recurring basis. Individuals participating in one-time or limited activities, such as attending school events or serving as supervised guests or speakers, are generally considered visitors and do not need to complete volunteer registration. Final determinations regarding whether an individual is considered a volunteer or visitor are made by the school principal based on the nature of the activity.
Q: I'm not sure whether I need to register as a volunteer. What should I do?
A: If you're unsure whether your planned activity requires volunteer registration, please contact the school where you plan to serve. School administrators will determine whether the activity qualifies as volunteer service or a visitor activity based on FCPS guidelines.
Q: Does an approved volunteer application guarantee a volunteer position?
A: No. Approval confirms that you have met the FCPS systemic volunteer requirements. Volunteer opportunities and placement are coordinated by individual schools based on their needs.
Q: I completed the application, but I never received an approval email. What should I do?
A: First, check your spam or junk folder. If you still have not received an email after approximately 24 hours, contact the FCPS Volunteer Center at [email protected] for assistance.