CWASD Bulldog Volunteers
At CWASD, our goal is to ensure all students attain the academic, career and life skills they need to face the challenges — and embrace the opportunities — of the 21st Century. Volunteer partnerships with family and community members, businesses and organizations play a critical role in helping us accomplish that goal — by helping us build ties between our schools, students, families, alumni and the community at large.
As a volunteer at CWASD, you can make an impact on the lives of our students and enrich their educational experience. We hope your experience as a volunteer is equally rewarding and therefore, we do our best to help you find volunteer opportunities that suit your interests, talents and schedule.
CWASD welcomes family and community volunteers to support our students and staff throughout the year. Volunteer opportunities exist in classrooms, libraries, cafeterias, as well as through participation in various school and district committees, athletic or performing arts events, and several parent organizations. Volunteers provide supervision on field trips, plan school community events, offer fundraising and donation support, and actively engage in classrooms to support student learning.
To ensure the safety of our students, all volunteers who may have unsupervised contact with students are required to have an approved criminal background check prior to volunteering. Background checks are required for any volunteer (including parents) who meets any of the following criteria:
• the volunteer will have unsupervised contact with students; • the volunteer has a regular or ongoing assignment at the school; • the volunteer will be off campus with students in an unsupervised situation, including chaperoning field trips; • the volunteer is a mentor to a student or students; • the volunteer is a coach or club advisor; OR • the volunteer is unknown to the school or department staff.
Each year, CWASD families and community members contribute thousands of hours of service in support of our students, programs and schools. Thank you!
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VOLUNTEER GUIDELINES
To ensure the best experience for our students, staff, and volunteers, all volunteers should be aware of some basic guidelines, which include the following expectations:
- Treat others with respect at all times (and, similarly, you should be treated with respect at all times).
- Follow the guidance provided by the principal or other staff members.
- Arrive on time.
- Follow all security protocols.
- Ask a staff member if you have any questions about how to proceed.
Thanks again for your interest in investing in our students. We hope to see you in one of our schools soon!
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Volunteer Background Check Decision Table
Level of Volunteer Activity |
Description of Volunteer Type |
Requirements |
Level I Volunteer |
A volunteer assisting with a one-time event that does not have one-on-one contact with a student, and works under the supervision of a district employee: PTO events, guest speaker/presenter, ticket taker, concession stand worker, etc. |
- Direct supervision from a CWASD staff member
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Level II Volunteer |
A volunteer who works under the supervision of a district employee, such as a classroom volunteer, field trip chaperone, tutor, presenter, etc., and works directly with students more than once. |
- Completed CWASD Background Application
- Full Background Check
- Background good for one year
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Level III Volunteer |
A volunteer who works directly with students without direct supervision of a district employee, such as non-paid coaches, advisors, mentors, specific tutoring roles, etc. |
- Completed CWASD Background Application
- Full Background Check
- Interview with an administrator
- Background good for one year
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FAQ’s Regarding Background Checks
Per Board Policy and Guidelines, volunteers who supervise or work directly with our students before, during, or after school hours must submit and pass a background check each school year before they can volunteer with our students or in our schools. CWASD has contracted with Secure Volunteer, powered by the bibx, a Background Investigation Bureau (BIB) company, to conduct comprehensive background checks.
NOTE: Once potential volunteers complete the volunteer background check, bibx should send the applicant a confirmation email to provide directions on how to access the system to review previous background checks or complete new ones. If potential, current or past volunteers have any further questions, contact Megan Nelson at mnelson@cwasd.k12.wi.us.
- Must I have a background check before volunteering in my child’s school?
Yes, depending on what type of volunteering will occur. The district office will direct criminal background checks before a volunteer works directly with students for the first time.
A “volunteer” is any person who offers to perform a service or carry out an activity during the school day or during extended-day, school-related programs, including volunteer chaperones on student field trips or other travel trips, without pay or other material compensation that permits the individual to have access to students.
A “volunteer” also includes athletic coaches and volunteers for District programs who do not receive compensation or remuneration for their services.
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How often is a background check required?
A background check is good for one year from the processing date. Volunteers may contact the district office to verify the expiration date as needed. The District reserves the right to conduct additional checks before the three-year expiration.
All approved volunteers shall notify the District Office as soon as possible, but no more than three calendar days after any arrest, indictment, conviction, no contest or guilty plea, or other adjudication of the volunteer for any felony, any offense involving moral turpitude, and any of the other offenses as indicated below:
A. Crimes involving school property or funds;
B. Crimes that occur wholly or in part on school property or at a school-sponsored activity;
C. A misdemeanor that involves moral turpitude [e.g., an act or behavior that gravely violates moral sentiments or accepted moral standards of the community. Examples include:
1. Crimes against law enforcement or children;
2. Mental or physical abuse of others; or
3. Disorderly conduct
D. A misdemeanor that violates the public trust or may translate to unsafe decision-making around children.
The requirement to report a conviction or deferred adjudication shall not apply to minor traffic offenses. However, a volunteer must report an offense of operating under the influence, revocation, or suspension of license and driving after revocation or suspension if the volunteer drives or operates a District vehicle or piece of mobile equipment or transports students in any vehicle. Failure to report under this section may result in revocation of volunteer privileges.
- Am I required to pay a fee for the District to run my background check?
No. The District does not require volunteers to pay costs associated with the background check.
- What information must I provide to run a background check?
To run a background check, an individual must provide:
* Full legal name and all prior names; * Current and previous addresses; * Social security number; * Date of birth; and * Sex/Race.
The databases accessed during the background check process require an individual to be identified by a social security number. Currently, there are no alternative methods for adequately and thoroughly checking a person’s background without a social security number.
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What databases does the background check service consult?
The background check seeks information from the following databases. The District reserves the right to access additional databases under such a process.
* Social Security and Address Verification through a national query; * Security Watch List * Wisconsin Criminal History (where applicable, other state databases where the applicant has lived); * Local law enforcement requests; * National Sex Offender Registry Program.
- How long does the process take?
Typically, the background check process takes three to four days to complete. During peak times, such as the start of the school year, additional time may be required. In addition, where an out-of-state search is needed, additional time may be required.
- Does the District check my credit information as part of a background check?
No. The background check does not check your credit history. A separate and distinct authorization would be required to authorize a credit information check. We only conduct a criminal history background search and a traffic record history.
- Who sees the background check results?
All information gathered during the District’s background check will be kept confidential. The District Office personnel may need to consult the District Legal Counsel regarding the background check results.
- What offenses will prohibit my ability to volunteer for the District?
Where an offense has been disclosed on the background check application, such revelation will not automatically impact an individual’s ability to volunteer for the District. Decisions regarding whether the revelation of a specific offense will negatively impact an individual’s ability to serve as a school volunteer are made on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and District policies.
However, a failure to disclose pending arrests or prior felony or misdemeanor convictions will be grounds for exclusion as a school volunteer, regardless of the nature of the arrest or conviction. In addition, the making of any false or misleading statement or omission shall be grounds for immediate disqualification as a school volunteer.
- What happens if I do not pass the background check?
If you fail to clear the background check, you cannot volunteer for the District. It may be the case that you could be permitted to apply to volunteer later. You will be notified if you fail to clear the background check.
- Can I receive a copy of the completed background check?
Applicants who do not receive approval based on the background screen results automatically receive a copy of their report. However, if approved, volunteers may request a copy of their report. Requests can be sent in writing to Megan Nelson @ mnelson@cwasd.k12.wi.us.
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