Volunteering

Vision Academy Charter School (VACS) encourages parents, guardians, relatives, and caregivers to actively engage with our school community through volunteering. This partnership between parents and our school significantly enriches the educational experience for our students. We deeply value parents’ unique talents and contributions, and there are abundant opportunities for you to support our teachers, students, and staff.

Volunteer Opportunities

Discover the many opportunities available for you to actively engage in your child’s education through volunteering. We kindly request you to complete the “Get Involved Survey“ to indicate your areas of interest for volunteering. Your input will help us match your skills and preferences with the needs of our school community, ensuring a fulfilling and meaningful volunteering experience.

Tracking Volunteer Hours

To ensure smooth coordination and accountability, please adhere to the following guidelines when volunteering:

  1. Sign In and Out: All volunteers must sign in and out at the main office upon arrival and departure.
  2. Wear a Volunteer Badge: For identification purposes, please always wear your volunteer badge while on school premises.
  3. Maintain Confidentiality: To safeguard our students’ privacy, refrain from discussing their grades, progress, or classroom matters with anyone except the staff. Confidentiality is of utmost importance.
  4. Consistency Matters: If you commit to a regular volunteering schedule with a specific teacher, please make every effort to attend consistently. Both the children and teachers rely on your presence. If unforeseen circumstances prevent your attendance, kindly inform the teacher or the main office beforehand.
  5. Leave Discipline to Staff: If you encounter any issues related to student behavior, consult the teacher. Our children are expected to adhere to our Code of Conduct, and all adults should be positive role models.
  6. Dress Comfortably: While volunteering, dress comfortably while being mindful that you are a role model within our school community.

Required Paperwork

To become a school volunteer at VACS, please complete the following paperwork:

Mandatory Clearance Requirements

According to Pennsylvania State Child Protective Service law, volunteers are subject to mandatory clearance requirements. These clearances must be renewed every 36 months. The specifics are as follows:

For Volunteers Living in PA for Fewer Than 10 Years:

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation Fingerprint Clearance
  • Pennsylvania State Police Clearance (no fee for volunteers)
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (no fee for volunteers)

For Volunteers Living in PA Continuously for 10 Years:

  • Pennsylvania State Police Clearance (no fee for volunteers)
  • Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (no fee for volunteers)

The process for obtaining these clearances is as follows:

  1. PA State Police Criminal Record Check: Obtain online results within minutes at https://epatch.state.pa.us/Home.jsp (no fee for volunteers).
  2. PA Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance: Access results online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS (usually within 14 days, with a $10 processing fee).
  3. Federal Criminal Background Check: Visit www.pa.cogentid.com to schedule an appointment and pay for the background check. Alternatively, if you have been a Pennsylvania resident for the past ten years and meet specific criteria, you may submit an [Affidavit] in lieu of the FBI fingerprinting check.

Clearance Renewal Requirements

All required clearances, including the FBI check, must be renewed every three years (36 months). Volunteers who have been Pennsylvania residents for fewer than 10 years must renew their FBI Fingerprint clearance until they meet the 10-year residency requirement. After that, they must submit a Disclosure Statement Application for Volunteers every three years. Clearances obtained for previous employment or volunteering may be submitted.

Parent Drivers

Parents who drive students on field trips or attend school-sponsored events, including athletics, must complete the PA Request for Driver Information form at https://apps.pa.egov.com/idr. Please submit a copy to the school after completing the form.

Once you have obtained these clearances, kindly place the documentation in a sealed envelope with your name and deliver it to our School Secretary in the VACS Office. For any questions or assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact the school office at 484-466-2124.

We wholeheartedly appreciate your dedication to sharing your time and talents with the students and families of Vision Academy Charter School. Your involvement is invaluable to our school community, and we eagerly anticipate your participation. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our students’ success.