Volunteering Made Easy

At A.S. Jenks, we believe our school community thrives when families are engaged. Whether it’s cheering on the Walk-a-Thon, helping with classroom celebrations, or chaperoning a field trip, volunteers are at the heart of making these experiences possible.

But here’s the thing—to volunteer during the school day or join a field trip, you must complete the School District of Philadelphia’s volunteer clearance process.

Why it Matters

Volunteer clearances aren’t just a formality—they’re what allow our students to safely and confidently participate in enriching experiences beyond the classroom. The clearance process may feel like extra paperwork, but it’s the foundation that ensures our children get these opportunities safely. When we don’t have enough cleared volunteers, events can be disrupted. For example, this year the 1st grade had to reschedule their field trip because there weren’t enough eligible chaperones. We want to make sure no grade has to miss out again.

How to Get Cleared

The process is simple, and once you’re cleared, you’re eligible for all field trips and school-day events:

1. Volunteer Code of Conduct – Sign and return to the office. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qoHtDkcWdijwnlJkeRLNoR05yxJXuoHp/view

2. PA Child Abuse History Clearance – Complete online at compass.state.pa.us/cwis/public/home.

3. PA Criminal Background Check – Submit online at epatch.pa.gov.

4. FBI Background Check or Volunteer Affirmation – Required if you’ve lived in PA less than 10 years; otherwise, sign the affirmation form.

   1. Download the Volunteer Affirmation sheet

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5. Volunteer Orientation – Complete online or in-person within 45 days. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Av3sK-Kujzc

Once you’ve completed these steps, print all clearance documents and bring them to the Ms. Jackson at the main office to be added to the school’s volunteer file.

📩 Questions? Email volunteer@philasd.org or call 215-400-4180 (Option #6).

The District’s Volunteer Policy (Policy 916)

The School District’s official Volunteer Policy (Policy 916) outlines the requirements and expectations for all volunteers. This policy ensures that students are supported by adults who are fully cleared, creating a safe and consistent environment for school activities.

Key points include:

• Volunteers working directly with students (field trips, in-class support, or school-day events) must have current clearances on file.

• Clearances must be kept up to date and resubmitted when they expire.

• The policy protects students, teachers, and volunteers by setting clear standards for engagement.

Let’s Make This Year Strong

We want every grade to have the support it needs for field trips, classroom activities, and special events. If you haven’t completed your volunteer clearances yet, now is the time! Together, we can make sure our students don’t miss out on the experiences that make school memorable.