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MISSION: To lead an educational partnership with the Community, maintaining an environment that challenges all students to reach their potential as lifelong learners and responsible members of society.

Volunteer Information

Overview
The Bethel Park School District encourages the involvement of parents and guardians as volunteers in our schools.  Pennsylvania State Law (Act 15) requires that EVERY volunteer who has direct contact with students have the necessary clearances on file with the School District.  
 
Direct Contact with Children is defined by State Law as the "care, supervision, guidance or control of children or routine interaction with children."
 
In keeping with the legislation and the legislative definition of Direct Contact, the District has developed the following guidelines to exemplify what does and does not constitute Direct Contact.
  1. Field trips, classroom parties, book fairs, band trips, and chaperoning scholastic club competitions/music trips are some examples of events when parents are supervising, guiding, controlling, and interacting directly with students.  In events where adults are there to work with children, these individuals MUST have clearances.
  2. At school-related events where parents and grandparents are attending with their own child and they are NOT supervising, guiding or controlling other children, these individuals would NOT be required to have clearances. In these events, the adult is attending as an audience member.  Examples include the Talent Show, Special Person's Breakfast, Dismissal Time, Open House and attending events and performances as spectators.
Necessary Clearances
All Bethel Park volunteers must have up-to-date clearances to volunteer within the district.  If you are new to volunteering at Bethel Park or if your clearances need to be renewed, Bethel Park School District requires the following clearances:
In addition, the following form must be signed and submitted.
  • Acknowledgment of Volunteer Obligations -- The new State Law also requires volunteers to notify the District within 72 hours if they are arrested or convicted of a Disqualifying Offense.  To ensure that all volunteers are aware of this requirement, you will be required to sign and submit a copy of the Acknowledgement of Volunteer Obligations when you submit all three clearances.  
Obtaining Clearances
Listed below are the details of the required clearances, including the costs and timelines for obtaining the clearances.
 
PA Criminal Record Check
Cost: Free if you are a volunteer.
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks
Manner Received: You will receive your results online with a paper copy
How To Obtain:  
 
PA Child Abuse History Clearance
Cost: Free if you are a volunteer
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks
Manner Received: Online with a paper copy
 
Federal (FBI) Criminal History Record Check
Cost: $23.25
Payable With: Online with a credit card, money order, or cashier's check
Expected Wait Time: Should be received within two weeks 
Manner Received: Mailed to your home
 
Other Important Information:
  1. The fingerprint background check is a multiple-step process.
  2. The applicant must register prior to going to the fingerprint site:
    • Registration is completed online 24 hours/day, seven days/week at https://uenroll.identogo.com or by calling 1-844-321-2101 Monday through Friday between 8 AM and 6 PM.  Please use 1KG6ZJ as the Service Code when registering.
    • The fee is $23.25 for the fingerprint service, payable with major credit cards, money orders, or cashier's checks payable to "Morpho Trust."  No cash or personal checks will be accepted. 
  3. Once you register, you have 90 days from the registration date to go to one of the fingerprint locations to get your fingerprints.  To see a list of approved fingerprint locations, please click here.
You do NOT need the FBI Clearance if you meet the following TWO criteria:
  1. You have been a resident of Pennsylvania for the ENTIRETY of the past 10 years AND
  2. You have NEVER been convicted of a Disqualifying Offense (Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Assault, Stalking, Kidnapping, Unlawful Restraint, Rape, Statutory Sexual Assault, Sexual Assault, Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse, Aggravated Indecent Assault, Indecent Assault, Indecent Exposure, Incest, Concealing the Death of a Child, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Dealing in Infant Children, Prostitution and Related Offenses, Crimes Related to Obscene and Other Sexual Materials and Performances, Corruption of Minors, Sexual Abuse of Children, Named as the Perpetrator of a Founded Report of Child Abuse OR WITHIN THE 5-YEAR PERIOD IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING, convicted of a Felony Offense under The Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act).
If you can answer "yes" to both of the above points, you are eligible to waive the Federal Criminal History Record Check (FBI Fingerprint).  
ONCE ALL OF YOUR CLEARANCES ARRIVE:
Once you have received your clearances, please email the following to Volunteer Coordinator, Mary Beth Gregg:


Once the proper documentation has been submitted, you will be required to complete the Qualified Volunteer Clearance Information form and review School Board Policy 824: Maintaining Professional Adult/Student Boundaries.

The card, once created, will be sent to the school of your choice to be picked up when you volunteer. Please bring this card with you to school EVERY TIME you volunteer and show it to the school secretary when you sign in.  If you lose your Volunteer ID Card, replacement cards are $5.

Volunteers MUST be approved by Central Administration and issued a Qualified Volunteer Card to be eligible to volunteer.  Please do not take your clearances to the schools.

Should you have any questions, please contact Mary Beth Gregg at 412.854.8402.
 
 
Contact
Mary Beth Gregg
Volunteer Coordinator
Bethel Park School District
412.854.8402
Documentation Checklist
Please be sure to submit/complete ALL of the following information:
Volunteer FAQ's
Relevant School Board Policies
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