Volunteering!

Please note –All volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application-Screening Disclosure Form prior to volunteering in any capacity. These forms can be found in the school office or can be accessed via the SPS website.   It is also required that you watch an on line video (one time only). 

Applications are required each school year and must be submitted with a copy of valid identification.

There are many opportunities to do so…please read below and find what’s a good fit for you!

At Events: School Weekly & Kid Mail will alert you to the needs of upcoming events – helping with set-up or take down, with ticket collecting, helping with events, or running the whole show. It’s a whirlwind of activity and a great way to get to know students better!

At Home: Does your child’s teacher need help gluing artwork? Cutting things out? Preparing projects for the class to complete? Does the PTA need help putting together a Kid Mail notice or stapling directories? If you are able to help by doing things at home, this is an often overlooked avenue to also help the school.

At School: We need parental involvement. Lunch room supervision, playground supervision, traffic safety (before/after school) needs, and many other ways you can help if you have extra time during school hours.

On the PTA: Behind-the-scenes help is always needed and appreciated. Do you want to be the chair of a committee? Help someone else with their tasks? Want to work with our librarian, with the swimming program, fundraising, etc.? There are many positions where you can serve.

How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools

Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?

• Higher grades, test scores & graduation rates
• Better attendance
• Increased motivation & self-esteem

Checklist for New Volunteers

Visit our volunteer website to:

• Review volunteer handbook
• Complete online training
• Apply securely online
• Background check required

Questions? Contact your school office or visit the SPS Volunteer page to learn more.

Additional Steps for Certain Volunteer Roles

The following volunteer roles require a national background check, regardless of how long the volunteer has resided in Washington:

1. Unsupervised volunteers who work with children regularly (including remote/virtual volunteers).
2. Volunteers chaperoning overnight field trips longer than three days.
3. Volunteers involved in any sports or gym activities coordinated by the school (for Athletics see *).

If situations 2 or 3 apply to you, visit the volunteer website to learn more.

* Important: Athletic coaches must apply via SPS Athletics Department.

Sports Safety

All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.

Field Trips

Field trip volunteers supervise students. Once approved to volunteer, request additional forms from the field trip organizer to review and acknowledge your important responsibilities.

Keeping Students Safe

Child Abuse Prevention

Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18. Volunteers help to protect children by learning to recognize and report potential abuse.

At SPS, each volunteer completes an online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training before start of their service.

Criminal Background Check

• If you have lived in Washington State for the past three (3) years, SPS will complete your state background check at no cost to you.
• If you came to Washington from another state in the past three years, you will need to purchase a one-time national background check.

New or newly returned to the U.S.?

Visit the SPS Volunteer page for more information.

Why is there a fee for out-of-state background checks?

Unlike our state, the federal government does not provide schools with free screening tools. SPS selected a vendor to offer secure, affordable background checks for the volunteers who need them ($21 in most cases).

Frequently Asked Questions

I completed an online application last year. Do I have to reapply this year?

Your online application is on file so please do not create a new application. On your second volunteer anniversary, you will receive an email with login instructions to renew your application.

Can I use my smart phone to apply?
Our online volunteer application is smart-phone friendly.

Thank you for helping create safe schools, and for your generous donation of time and talent!