Volunteering with HCS

 

Hampton City Schools values and promotes the engagement of families and the community in our schools.  These interactions and opportunities strengthen the experiences of our students, provide the community with direct knowledge of learning taking place in our schools, and enhance the relationships and bonds within our community.

In order to be able to provide our students, staff, families and community a safe and secure environment in which to learn, we must have a protocol in place that establishes the procedures for volunteering with Hampton City Schools sponsored activities.  This protocol is in place for the safety and security of everyone and establishes a consistent process to apply to become an HCS volunteer.

 

Want to be a Volunteer?

 

1. Apply using the Volunteer Application.

2. Complete necessary background check as indicated on the email response to your application.

3. Complete the HCS Volunteer Orientation by clicking here.

4. Wait for an email from HCS Human Resources indicating you have been approved to volunteer in Hampton City Schools.

5. Once approved, please feel free to schedule volunteer times at your local school.

 

Process for Volunteer and Paid External Coaches

 

1. Apply using the Volunteer Application.

2. Complete the Coaching Application and ensure the form has been signed by the school’s Athletic Director and Principal.

3. Complete necessary background check as indicated on the email response to your application.

4. Complete the HCS Volunteer Orientation by clicking here.

5. Wait for an email from HCS Human Resources indicating you have been approved to volunteer in Hampton City Schools.

6. Once approved, please feel free to schedule volunteer times at your local school.

 

Volunteer Levels & Background Checks

The type of volunteer activities being undertaken by the volunteer and the frequency of volunteering will determine the level of background check required of the volunteer.  All background checks will be paid for by Hampton City Schools.

Ultimately, there will be 3 level designations for volunteers which determine the types of volunteer opportunities they may participate in.

Level 1

Description: Includes activities where there is no direct contact with students or those which allow for direct contact with students, but NEVER unsupervised access to students, AND the volunteer is providing infrequent services or assistance to the school division ( less than 3 times per year) so as not to develop a familiarity or rapport with students at any school or program.  

Sample Activities:

• Reading for Dr. Seuss’s birthday
• Participant in Mayor’s Book Club
• Participation in a one time academy event such as Reality Store or guest speaker
  

Background Check Required:  Present photo ID at your local school to be scanned.

Level 2

Description: Includes activities where there is direct contact with students, but a division employee is always supervising so that there is no unsupervised access to children. Frequency of interactions is greater than 3 times per year.

This also matches with our requirement for field placements over 40 hours to comply with background checks.

 

Sample Activities:

• Garden Club working directly with students
• Organized partnerships such as JBLE and faith 
• Field trip chaperones
• Field day experiences
• Providing ongoing assistance in the education, training, instruction or recreation of students
• Tutoring
  

Background Check Required: Present photo ID and complete fingerprinting at Hampton City Schools, One Franklin Street, Ste 314 (3rd Floor), Hampton VA

Background/ Fingerprinting Information Sheet

Level 3

Description: Participating in school activities,  extra-curricular activities, athletics and all situations where the volunteer may have unsupervised access to students.

Sample Activities:

• Field Trip chaperone (trip longer than typical school day)
• Overnight trips of any kind
• Marching band/athletic/academic boosters
• Volunteer athletic coaches
• Mentors
  

Background Check Required: Present photo ID and complete fingerprinting at Hampton City Schools, One Franklin Street, Ste 314 (3rd Floor), Hampton VA

Background/ Fingerprinting Information Sheet

 

All Background checks are paid for by Hampton City Schools.

 

 

Volunteer Expectations

 

• All volunteers MUST be approved prior to reporting to a school for a volunteer activity and MUST be on the approved volunteer list for HCS.
• Participate in volunteer orientation under the direction of the Principal or designee for the specific volunteer experience.
• Obtain and wear an identification badge while in the school;
• Respect the authority of school personnel;
• Abstain from assuming responsibility of instruction;
• Never assign grades or disciplinary action;
• Exhibit dependability and always notify the school if unable to complete a scheduled volunteer task.
• Volunteers in the building are at the discretion of the building principal and may be subject to change at any time.