Volunteer

No special skills are required for most volunteer opportunities - just a willingness to help and support students and schools.

Some roles may benefit from specific interests or experience, but school will provide guidance, and training is available as needed.

Volunteer opportunities vary by school and may include:

• Supporting in classrooms (reading, tutoring, small group help)
• Assisting in the library or front office
• Coaching or supporting extracurricular activities and clubs
• Chaperoning field trips or school events
• Supporting arrival, dismissal, or campus safety
• Assisting with special programs, enrichment activities or events

Additional opportunities may be available through specific school programs or community partnerships.  Please contact your school for current volunteer needs and placement.

Some volunteer roles require a fingerprint background check, particularly those that involve any one-on-one or unsupervised interaction with students.

Examples of roles that may require a background check include:

• Tutoring or reading support in a small or individual settings
• Volunteer coaching
• Chaperoning overnight trips or extended travel
• Transporting student (driving or riding the bus)
• Certain mentoring or program-based roles including Watch D.O.G.S, Lunch Lizard Program, and RSVP Volunteers

Your school or the Volunteer Office will let you know if a fingerprint background check is required for your specific role.

Fingerprint Background checks are completed by appointment only.  To schedule an appointment, email d51volunteer@d51schools.org

No. Volunteer fingerprint background checks are valid for five years.  If your background is still current, you do not need to complete another one.

Once your fingerprint background check expires, you will need to complete a new fingerprint background check to continue volunteering.

Please note: All volunteers are still required to complete a Volunteer Agreement Form each school year, regardless of background check status.

• Current D51 employees and students are not required to complete a volunteer background check.
• D51 cannot accept background checks completed through outside organizations; all checks must be processed through D51 in accordance with district policy.

Volunteer time commitments vary based on the role and your availability.  Schools will work with you to create a schedule that is flexible and mutually beneficial.  

Some volunteer roles may include an orientation or training, and additional training opportunities may be offered to support you in your role.

Whether you can volunteer regularly or just occasionally, your time and support are valued.