Prince George’s County Public Schools appreciates
the services that volunteers provide to enrich our students’ experiences. As a community we have a shared responsibility to create safe and supportive environments for all students.
CHECK-IN PROCESS
What should visitors, including
volunteers, do when they arrive at schools?
During school hours,
all visitors must sign
in using the
Raptor Visitor Management System and wear
their Raptor visitor badge while in the school building.
What is the Raptor
Visitor Management System?
The Raptor system
enables schools to issue visitor
badges with name,
photo, time and date and reason for the
visit; monitor volunteer and visitor hours;
and scan government-issued identification cards to instantly check registered sexual offender databases in all 50 states.
VOLUNTEER TRAINING
What trainings must volunteers
complete prior to the activity/event?
All volunteers who
regularly support schools
as field trip
chaperones, mentors, interns, tutors and others
must complete the following training modules:
- Prince George’s
County Child Abuse
Mandatory Reporting
- Prince George’s
County Public Schools’
Student Safety Procedural Changes
- Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure Prevention
How do I access the
training?
The training is available online through the SafeSchools training
management system. Click here to access the training.
Do all volunteers who
provide support for schools need to complete the training requirements?
Only individuals who regularly support
schools need to complete the training modules.
This requirement does not
apply to individuals who assist at one-time events
under the supervision of PGCPS staff
members at all times,
such as volunteers for Career
Day, Science Fair,
College Fair,
Spelling Bee, STEM
Fair, Principal for a Day, Men Make a
Difference Day, book fairs
and school dances.
Are volunteers required to complete the
training module online?
Volunteers must complete
the online training
modules in order
to receive electronic confirmation and a certificate
that this requirement has been completed.
How will we know
that volunteers have completed the training?
As volunteers complete the training, participation is recorded and
tracked in SafeSchools. In addition, the volunteer will receive a certificate of completion.
Once volunteers have
been trained, can they work with students?
Upon completion of the training
and receipt of the fingerprint background check and Child Protective Services (CPS) clearance, a volunteer can
support the school.
Do parents/guardians who want to eat lunch with
their child need to complete the trainings?
No. Parents/guardians eating lunch in the cafeteria with
their children are considered visitors, not
volunteers.
Are
student-teachers, interns and mentors required to complete the training modules?
Yes. Student-teachers, interns and mentors must complete the
training modules.
FINGERPRINT BACKGROUND AND CPS CLEARANCE CHECK
What are the
fingerprint background and CPS clearance requirement for volunteers?
The following categories of volunteers are
required to complete fingerprint background checks
and CPS clearance checks: volunteers regularly
working in the schools (i.e., not one-time volunteers at a school event), field trip chaperones,
mentors, interns, student teachers, concession stand workers
and gate receipt
workers.
Where do I go for
fingerprint background and
CPS clearance checks
and how long
does it take to
be cleared?
Both the fingerprint background and CPS clearance can be done at the Sasscer Administration Building located at 14201
School Lane in Upper Marlboro. It takes approximately 15 business days to complete the fingerprint background and CPS clearance check
process.
Please view the School Visitors, Volunteers and One-time volunteer: Requirement page for more information.
Who
pays for the fingerprint background check and CPS clearance check?
The volunteer is responsible for
the cost of the fingerprint background check and CPS clearance check ($62.25). The background check will be waived for parents/guardians of a PGCPS
student eligible to receive
free and reduced-price meals (FARMS), but
they must provide
a copy of the FARMS letter.
Do I need to undergo
another background check
if I completed a PGCPS
fingerprint background check and CPS clearance check
last school year?
No. The fingerprint background check and CPS clearance do not expire
as long as the parent/guardian provides proof of the fingerprint check and CPS clearance.
Who informs potential
volunteers about their approval status?
A certified letter
from the PGCPS
Background Unit will be sent to volunteers who are not approved. Volunteers approved to support schools
will be contacted directly by the principal/event coordinator.
Who should I contact with
questions about volunteer training, fingerprint background checks and CPS clearance?
If you
have any questions or concerns about volunteer requirements, please contact the
school. For more information, contact
Monitoring, Accountability and
Compliance Office at 301-952-6774.