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Interested in becoming an MCPS Volunteer? There are a few steps to complete before beginning your service as a volunteer in our schools.
Complete the MCPS Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form or the MCPS Volunteers in the Virtual Classroom form as appropriate. These forms serve as an introduction of yourself, your interests and availability in volunteering, and some important reminders about volunteers in schools.
Complete the two part mandatory online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training and the Vaccination attestation component. This two part 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.
Contact the school(s) where you wish to serve and provide them with a copy of the following:
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Online Training Support Guide (All Users)Español | 中文 | français | tiếng Việt | 한국어 | አማርኛ | Português
Instructions for Parents/Guardians Only
A ParentVUE account is needed to access and complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training. If you have already activated your ParentVUE account, refer to the support guide linked above and follow the steps below:
If you do not have a ParentVue account, you will need to activate your ParentVUE account in order to access the training, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. To activate your ParentVUE account, please contact your child’s school and request a ParentVUE activation letter. This letter has a unique key assigned to you that will allow you to create an account that is linked to all of your children in MCPS.
Need help with ParentVUE? Answers can be found in the ParentVUE Support Guide and on the MCPS Digital Backpack webpage.
Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) appreciates the support of the parent and community volunteers who support the essential needs of the schools. Volunteers and partnership agencies are required to complete certain compliance measures in order to volunteer within our school district.
MCPS has created a step-by-step User-Guide (with pictures) on how volunteers can create and access their myMCPS Classroom/Canvas account to complete the Online Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect Training module AND upload the Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination from the state Department of Health.
The online course grade sheet will show a total of 183.3% for completion of both compliance modules. You can show the gradesheet as evidence of successful completion to schools and your name will appear on the MCPS volunteer roster after October 1.
MCPS is asking for a pdf copy of your vaccination certificate in order to upload it to this module, you can download a copy from Maryland MyIR (directions for completing this process are located in this support guide). As an alternative, you may also upload a copy of one of the following:
who will ALWAYS be accompanied by MCPS staff
One-time volunteers who will never be alone with students at the MCPS school do NOT need to complete the compliance measures. They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a regular volunteer
These volunteers must complete BOTH the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation process.
They WILL need to check-in and check-out of the main office and scan their driver's license/identification cards through the Visitor Management System (VMS). Once the volunteer clears the VMS, they must be badged (the VMS creates a sticker badge) and remain under supervision of an MCPS professional while with students.
who will be attending field trips or supporting the school as a frequent volunteer AND will be alone with students
In addition to the online child abuse and neglect training and the COVID attestation compliance measures, the volunteer must have completed the finger printing process.
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.
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.
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.
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:
Participation is recorded and tracked by MCPS. Schools will access a report listing the family and community members who have successfully completed the training.
No. If you completed the training within the past three years, you will only be required to return to your existing Volunteer Training course to complete the COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Module. If you have completed the MCPS Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training during the past three years, you do not have to retake that portion of the course. As a reminder, the training is required every three years (with the exception of volunteers who took the training the first year it was offered), so if training was taken in:
Yes. However, volunteer coaches, overnight or extended day chaperones must wait until their criminal background check and fingerprinting results have been returned (see below).
The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly to find out what volunteer opportunities are available.
To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:
The following categories of volunteers are required to complete fingerprinting and background checks:
*All Athletics/Fine Arts trips travelling less than 100 miles on a single-day trip do not require fingerprint or background checks.
MCPS BACKGROUND SCREENINGThe Department of Systemwide Safety and Emergency Management (DSSEM) with MCPS is responsible for conducting a fingerprint review of individuals who are seeking employment, as well as those wishing to serve in the capacity of a volunteer, chaperone, coach, advisor, student-teacher, or intern. Such background checks are necessary to ensure a safe and secure learning and working environment.
For information regarding background screening for MCPS New Hires, Interns, and Volunteers/Chaperones please click here.
For information regarding background screening for MCPS Contractors please click here.
HOURS OF OPERATIONFingerprinting: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)Paperwork Submission: Monday–Friday from 9am–3:30pm (Closed 1–2pm)
Please contact the school you wish to volunteer directly. For concerns not addressed at the school level, contact the Office of School Support and Improvement, Student Leadership and Extracurricular Activities at 240-740-3977. We also invite you to read our MCPS Volunteer Regulation to learn more about the requirements and expectations of school volunteers.
Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form
MCPS Volunteer Regulation
Frequently Asked Questions for Volunteersespañol | français | 中文 | tiếng Việt 한국어 | አማርኛ
Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Staff Directions for the Volunteer Completion Report
School Guidance for Volunteers
Volunteers HUB
Shella B. Cherry, DirectorStudent Leadership and Extracurricular ActivitiesOffice: 240-740-4692