Volunteers

UPDATE 8/20/2020

MCPS is focused specifically on the health and well-being, and instructional programming for our students, and the staff development and planning necessary to ensure success. At this time, teachers and schools will stand up the new instructional routines and processes without volunteers in the direct instructional space.

Any interested volunteers who wish to support the well-being of students (mental health, housing, food, supplies, etc.) are encouraged to provide service through area organizations that support schools. Many are rostered on the Montgomery County Volunteer Center webpage.

Volunteers who had an established partner teacher in schools CAN provide supplemental instructional aids directly to the teacher, but may NOT join virtual instruction. For example, a volunteer can create a video recording of them teaching a point of content or create a handout that compliments the learning and send it to the teacher to embed in their lesson.

The goal is to welcome a pilot group of volunteers to schools during semester 2. Thank you for your interest and please stay tuned for updates on our volunteer program.

Montgomery County Public Schools encourages and welcomes school volunteers. The academic achievement and educational experiences of all students are enhanced by a community invested in their learning.

We invite parents, families, and community members to engage in volunteer activities in our schools–from kindergarten to high school–and become partners in teaching and learning. Our volunteer activities vary from school to school, and volunteers can help with a wide variety of activities.

Interested in becoming an MCPS Volunteer? There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in our schools.

  1. Complete the Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form. This form serves as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.

  2. Complete the mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect training. This training is required for any volunteer who regularly supports schools, chaperones a field trip, etc. and is available in multiple languages. When the course is completed, a report is created to serve as proof of satisfying the training requirement.

  3. Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with your Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form and your Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect training completion report.

Support guides with complete step-by-step instructions, the link to Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect training, and answers to frequently asked questions can be found below.

New2 Volunteer Training on Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

NEW FOR ALL USERS
Online Training Support Guide (in multiple languages)

NEW FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS ONLY
Access and complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training by using your Parent Portal account. Please note that if you creating a Parent Portal account for the first time, it may take up to two hours before the course will populate in the portal.

Online Training for Parents/Guardians

Need help with the Parent Portal? Parent Portal Support Guide

NEW FOR NON-PARENTS ONLY

Online training for Non-Parents

(Contractors, Volunteer Coaches, Community Members)

Frequently Asked Questions

As a community, we are mindful of our shared responsibility to create safe, nurturing environments for our students. MCPS is grateful for your commitment and partnership. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify volunteer training and background check requirements.

Who can be a volunteer?

Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as members of the community interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and skills to support the students of Montgomery County.

How do I become a volunteer?

All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training for volunteers and contractors. This training requirement also applies to student teachers and interns, volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal or recess, and those who attend field trips and chaperone outdoor education. The online training is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese.

Does everyone who provides support for schools and students need to complete the MCPS online training?

While we encourage all volunteers to view the informative training, currently only individuals who regularly support schools must complete the training. Individuals who support at large events or those who assist at one-time events under the supervision of school staff members are not required to view the training at this time. Below are examples of the types of activities that do not require completion of the training:

  • Guest readers or speakers in classrooms where they will be supervised by a MCPS staff member
  • High school/college recruiters and volunteers at job and college fairs
  • Individuals who are observing or supporting a celebration, party, or parents/guardians eating lunch with their children
  • Individuals staffing concessions and ticket booths at large events

How will MCPS know that I have completed the training?

Participation is recorded and tracked by MCPS. Schools will access a report listing the family and community members who have successfully completed the training.

If I completed the MCPS training in the 2016-2017, 2017-2018, or 2018-2019 school year, do I have to take it again in the 2019-2020 school year?

No. If MCPS records show that you completed the online MCPS Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training, you do not need to repeat it in the 2019-2020 school year. Volunteers are required to complete the training every three years beginning after the 2017 school year. For example:

  • If you completed training in 2016-2017, you must renew training in 2020-2021
  • If you completed training in 2017-2018, you must renew training in 2020-2021
  • If you completed training in 2018-2019, you must renew training in 2021-2022

Once I've completed the training, can I begin volunteering?

Yes. However, volunteer coaches, overnight or extended day chaperones must wait until their criminal background check and fingerprinting results have been returned (see below).

How do I find volunteer opportunities?

The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.

What procedures do I follow when volunteering?

To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:

  • Volunteers must sign-in and sign-out of the building using the Visitor Management System (VMS).
  • Volunteers must wear the VMS produced volunteer identification name tag at all times while on school property.
  • Volunteers may not access confidential student or personnel records and should respect the confidentiality of students.
  • Volunteers working with students must be within view of other MCPS staff members and avoid unsupervised, one-on-one student contact.
  • Volunteers may not discipline students and should report behavior concerns to the supervising staff member.

What are the background check requirements for volunteers?

The following categories of volunteers are required to complete fingerprinting and background checks:

  • Volunteer coaches
  • Overnight chaperones on grade 6 Outdoor Environmental Education Programs
  • Volunteers on overnight field trips
  • Volunteers on extended day trips that require additional approval from the Office of School Support and Improvement. For example, if departure time is not within the MCPS operations start time and/or return time is later than 7:00 p.m.*

*All Athletics/Fine Arts trips travelling less than 100 miles on a single-day trip do not require fingerprint or background checks.

Where do I get information about background checks and fingerprinting?

Fingerprinting and background checks may be obtained at the following location(s) by appointment:

  • MCPS Office of Human Resources Development
    45 West Gude Drive, Rockville, MD 20850
    301-279-3276
  • American Identity Solutions
    6701 Democracy Boulevard, Suite 110, Bethesda, MD 20817
    301-571-9479
  • American Identity Solutions
    12501 Prosperity Drive, Suite 200, Silver Spring, MD 20904
    240-670-7952
  • American Identity Solutions
    7361 Calhoun Place, Rockville, MD 20855
    301-296-4499
  • American Identity Solutions
    12800 Middlebrook Rd., Suite 112-B, Germantown, MD 20874
    301-383-9651

Who should I contact if I have questions or concerns about my role as a volunteer, required volunteer training and/or background checks?

Please contact the school you wish to volunteer directly. For concerns not addressed at the school level, contact the Office of Student and Family Support and Engagement (OSFSE) via email at OSFSE@mcpsmd.org or by phone at 240-740-5630. We also invite you to read our MCPS Volunteer Regulation to learn more about the requirements and expectations of school volunteers.