Volunteer
Become a volunteer for San Jose Catholic School.
Become a Volunteer
Parent/guardian volunteers are an important part of the educational program at San Jose Catholic School. Parents/guardians are encouraged to volunteer for special classroom projects, room parent duties, cafeteria helpers, library/book fair events, field trips, Friday Folders, Campus Clean-up, Drug Prevention Week, school programs, and the many fundraising events the Home & School Association coordinates. Please note, only screened adults are allowed to volunteer at school and on field trips; a student’s siblings and other unscreened adults are not allowed to participate.
To be a volunteer: According to the Office of Youth Protection at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, any time a parent or other volunteer works, or volunteers, in any capacity in connection with the church, parish, or school —no matter how infrequently this occurs—safe environment training is essential, in addition to undergoing a background check. Thus, any parents who volunteer during the school year must be both fingerprinted through Live Scan and attend Protecting God’s Children. Until both have been accomplished that parent may not be allowed to volunteer or work at the school.
Step One: Create or Update Your VIRTUS Account
VIRTUS-Returning-User-Instruction
You will be required to electronically sign 3 documents:
- Policy: Protection of God’s Children and Vulnerable Adults
- Standards for Lay Employees and Volunteers
- VECHS Waiver Agreement & Statement
After a five year period, you will be required to take an online “Protecting God’s Children” refresher course.
Step Two: Register for a “Protecting God’s Children” class
Registration takes place through VIRTUS Online. This in-person class takes approximately 4 hours and can be completed at any of the Parishes in the Diocese based on your availability.
Please submit a copy of your certificate to the school office. You will be able to access this in your VIRTUS account once the class is completed.
Step Three: LIVE SCAN Fingerprinting
Following the directions, register online for a time / location of your choosing. Be sure to use the VOLUNTEER code when registering.
Step Four: Clearance
Email joyce@sanjoseschool.com when you have completed all the requirements to confirm your clearance has been received. Your clearance must be verified before you are able to volunteer.
Step Five: Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer sign up forms are sent through Sign Up Genius. These links are also posted in the Announcement section of your FACTS Family Portal.
Step Six: Log Your Volunteer Hours
Individuals are required to log their own volunteer hours in the FACTS Family Portal under the ‘Family’ tab. Please see Navigating the FACTS Family Portal for more information. A minimum of 5 volunteer hours must be completed at a Home & School event.
Family Service Hours Requirement
Each family with a child or children in grades K thru 8 is required to provide a minimum of 20 hours of service to San Jose Catholic School. If you are unable to fulfill these hours, families are required to pay $25 per hour not served. Persons who qualify to serve are the parents, grandparents, or another adult family member. Of the 20 hours, 10 of them must be served working on a Home & School event(s) and no more than one field trip (up to 4 hours) may be counted toward family volunteer hours. More information and available opportunities to serve can be found on the school website and through notices sent home throughout the year.
Volunteer hours are submitted by logging in to your RenWeb parent account and adding volunteer hours under the Family Information > Service Hours. Please be sure to enter your volunteer hours as you serve them. Unmet volunteer hour fees will be billed by the School Office prior to the end of the school year.
Volunteer Terms & Definitions
Live Scan Fingerprinting is the method used by law enforcement agencies and private facilities to scan, process and file fingerprints and palm prints electronically.
Protecting God’s Children Class is a three hour live awareness session instructing our volunteers that to protect children we must have continuous awareness and vigilance. This awareness session teaches future volunteers to understand the signs of child abuse, the methods and means by which offenders commit abuse, and five steps one can use to prevent it.
Sign Up Genius is a Free (and simple) online web site/tool for creating and managing SJCS volunteer sign-up lists. SJCS volunteers will receive an email invitation every time there is a volunteer opportunity posted.
Volunteer Opportunities
Teachers, Home Room Parents, and our Home & School Association will keep families informed of all activities requiring volunteers. Classroom volunteer opportunities will normally be sent via email and/or sent in our Friday Folder. Home & School volunteer opportunities will be emailed to families using Sign Up Genius. The Sign Up Genius website provides a quick and simple online tool for families to view and sign-up for volunteer opportunities. The link to the SignUp Genius links are also hosted under the announcements section of your FACTS Family Portal.