Volunteering
Volunteers are valued partners in the education of Arlington students. We encourage family and community members, as well as local businesses, to consider serving in our schools. Not able to volunteer during school hours? Many schools offer volunteer opportunities that can be completed at home. Volunteering is an excellent way to demonstrate to our students the value our community places in their education and their school.
To volunteer in our district, complete the following online form. For the safety of our students, volunteer applicants must undergo a Washington State Patrol background check before they can begin their service. Volunteers who work one-on-one with students (with permission from the school principal) must undergo a background check.
Volunteer application form
After submitting your online application we will process a background check. You will then receive an email with your approval status. Volunteer applications are valid for one year from the approval date.
*If you do not have valid photo identification, or if you have limited access to email and the Internet, please check with office staff at the building at which you wish to volunteer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for being a valued partner in the education of our students. We are reaching out to let you know that Arlington Public Schools is using a new volunteer and visitor management system called SafeVisitor Solutions. This system is designed to strengthen safety and security in our schools and streamline the visitor registration sign-in process and volunteer approval process. Eagle Creek Elementary and Haller Middle School will be the first schools to use the system in September 2018, with all other schools following in October 2018.
How does SafeVisitor work?
SafeVisitor pulls information from the district's approved volunteer list. Volunteer policies and procedures have not changed. (All volunteers undergo a Washington State Patrol background check which is good for two years. The volunteer database is managed and maintained by Arlington Public Schools). When SafeVisitor Solutions is implemented at an instructional building, volunteers and visitors will no longer sign in on paper when visiting the school.
What if I’m just visiting a school building and not volunteering?
Visitors will be asked to show a state issued identification like a drivers license, or be asked to answer a few questions about their name. Visitor names will be checked against the national sex offender registry. Approved visitors will receive a self expiring name badge that cannot be reused.
What if I’m volunteering at a school?
Volunteers will be asked to complete an application at the district’s website. The application asks the same questions we have always asked volunteers about their identity and any criminal history.
Approved volunteers will be sent an email that includes information about the SafeVisitor mobile application and assigned an electronic badge, which is accessible through the SafeVisitor mobile app (free download on App Store or Google Play). The first time a volunteer signs into the building using SafeVisitor, they will be asked to be photographed and staff will print a self expiring ID badge for use on campus. Please bring a government issued, valid photo identification with you to the school on your next visit.
What if I don't have a smartphone or can't download the mobile app?
School office staff can print you a badge if you aren't able to access the electronic version.
What if I don't have a government issued identification?
Please check with school office staff. Other forms of identification may be accepted. While safety is of the utmost priority, we want our schools to be welcoming and accommodating to all families.