|
Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs to fill out a volunteer application?
Any person who comes in direct contact on a consistent
basis with students and assists in office, library and classroom
support, fieldtrip chaperoning, tutoring, and school or booster
activities.
Why do I need to fill out a volunteer
application?
Our number one priority is the safety of our students.
Each volunteer is required by school board policy to submit an
application so we may conduct a criminal background screening.
This screening is conducted at no cost to the volunteer. If you
have specific questions regarding the criminal background
screening, please contact us at 390-2960.
What if I have some criminal convictions?
Volunteer screening policies ensure the safety of our
students and there are some specific criminal charges that
disqualify some volunteers from volunteering. Most cases
however, fall within the guidelines to allow persons to become a
volunteer. Please call our background screeners if you
have a specific question regarding your situation.
Where do I obtain an application?
Volunteer applications are on-line at
www.duvalschools.org.
Under the Community tab and then volunteer link.
Why is it necessary for me to provide my Social
Security number and birth date?
There are two ways to access national criminal records:
fingerprinting, which is costly and can be time consuming, and a
search utilizing Social Security numbers with an individual’s
correlating birth date. We chose the second method because it is
more convenient for volunteers and less costly to the district.
What happens to my application after submitting
it?
DCPS contracts with a background screening company who
handles the multi-state criminal background checks. Each Principal has the
decision-making authority regarding volunteers and volunteer
opportunities.
I’m just visiting my child. Do I need to
complete an application?
No. The difference between a visitor and a volunteer
can best be defined by who you interact with and how. While it
is up to school administration to determine if you are a visitor
or volunteer, here are some typical examples of each. Visitor:
parent bringing treats for their child’s birthday, father
attending Take Your Dad to School Day, parent having lunch with
their child and no others, special guest classroom speaker.
Visitors are checked on the Department of Law Enforcement
Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators list. Volunteer: field
trip chaperone, parent visiting child in classroom, but
periodically assisting students, parent eating lunch with child
and child’s friends. Volunteers complete the criminal
background screening process which includes the Department of
Law Enforcement Florida Sexual Offenders and Predators list.
I have a right to volunteer or visit any
school, don’t I?
DCPS policy is for all volunteers to be registered and
background screened to ensure the safety of our students
however, this process does not guarantee that a person may
volunteer at every school. Volunteers serve at the request of
school administration/faculty. If you wish to visit your child,
please contact your child's school.
Who do I contact with questions?
Duval County Public Schools’ website
www.duvalschools.org has an abundance of
information concerning volunteer programs and opportunities. For
questions about the screening process or for general
volunteering questions, call our main number at 390-2960.
|
