Important Update for 2011-12: All continuing volunteers approved for the 2010-2011 school year MUST reactivate as a volunteer no later than October 31, 2011.
Q: What do I need to do?
A: Effective 7/1/10, all WCPSS volunteers must register and have an approved criminal background check prior to volunteering in WCPSS. All volunteers approved for 2010-11 must reactivate their registration between July 1 and October 31, 2011 to avoid having to undergo another criminal record check. For more information visit http://www.wcpss.net/2011_back-to-school/news/volunteer.html
Q: Where can I register?
A: For security reasons, you are only able to register from a computer at a Wake County Public School System campus. There are computers in our school’s Library Media Center that can be used for this.
Q: When can I register?
A: At Weatherstone, registration will be open between 8:00am-12:00pm Mondays and Wednesdays from July 6 to October 31, 2011. After October 31, registration will be open from 8:00am-4:00pm only on Mondays with these exceptions: December 19 and December 26, 2011 and January 2 and January 16, 2012. Registration will close on May 21, 2012.
Q. Who doesn’t have to register?
A. Guest speakers and parents coming to school to eat lunch with their children do not need to be registered as volunteers. People who show up at schools for single or random occasions such as awards assemblies and presenters at career fairs, academic fairs and fundraising assemblies do not need to be registered as volunteers.
Q: Do I have to go to each school where I have children?
A: No, you can register at any school. Be sure to list all children and the schools they attend so that each school can be notified of your clearance status.
Q: How can I find out if I have been approved?
A: Your child’s teacher will be notified about your clearance status through our school’s front office. If you have questions, please ask Mrs. Jackie Palmquist, our school receptionist. She receives an updated list of approved volunteers weekly. The Media Center staff does not receive this information.
Q: How long will it take until I find out if I am cleared?
A: The amount of time it takes to process volunteer requests and background checks varies depending on the volume of requests. The highest volume occurs at the beginning of the school year. Parents and other volunteers are encouraged to register as early in the school year as possible.
Q: Can I volunteer at my child’s school while I am waiting for notification?
A: No. Unfortunately, all volunteers must register and receive clearance notification before volunteering at their children’s schools. This is per WCPSS Board Policy.
Q: Am I allowed to have lunch with my child even though I have not been approved by WCPSS as a volunteer?
A: Yes. WCPSS does not require parents to have volunteer clearance to eat lunch in the school cafeteria. However, if you plan to participate in our Book-N-Bite program (where parents read to small groups of children in the classroom or outside – without teacher supervision) volunteer clearance is required. Kindergarten parents may also be requested by their teacher not to have lunch with their child for the first few weeks of school to help children settle more easily into the kindergarten routine.
Q: What happened to the levels?
A: Approved volunteers are no longer assigned clearance levels as in the past (levels 1 through 4). Volunteer applications will be processed as approved, approved for driving, or denied. Applicants who are denied will be notified in writing by the WCPSS Human Resources Department. Approved applicants will be notified by the school.
Q: I am a WCPSS employee. Do I need to register if I want to volunteer in my child’s school?
A: No. WCPSS employees do not have to register as volunteers to perform volunteer roles outside of their job assignment, such as volunteering for their own child’s school and/or class.
