Maxwell Unified School District

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Volunteers

Volunteers

Volunteers play an important role in supporting our schools, classrooms, and students. Whether you are helping at a one-time event, assisting in a classroom, chaperoning a field trip, or serving in a more ongoing role, your time and involvement help strengthen the school community. Maxwell Unified School District welcomes parents, guardians, and community members who want to make a positive difference in the lives of students.

volunteer levels

To help provide a safe environment for students, volunteer opportunities are organized into three categories based on the type of contact volunteers may have with students.

Category A: One-Time Visitors or Event Volunteers

Category A is for visitors or guests attending a one-time event and who do not have unsupervised contact with students. This may include guest readers, guest speakers, senior project panel members, one-time classroom or school event volunteers, and parents attending school involvement activities with their child.

Requirements:

Must be sponsored or approved by a school site or district employee
Must present a current government-issued photo ID
Must sign in at the main office on the district volunteer sign-in sheet
Must wear a volunteer or visitor badge while on campus
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training and provide proof of completion before volunteering

Category B: Supervised School Volunteers

Category B is for volunteers who work with students in group settings or public environments under the supervision of district staff. This may include classroom helpers, tutors, readers, office volunteers, after-school program support, field trip chaperones who are not driving, and volunteers supporting school organizations.

Requirements:

Must be sponsored or approved by a school site or district employee
Must present a current government-issued photo ID
Must complete and submit the district Volunteer Application Packet
May be required to complete fingerprinting or a criminal background check
Must sign in at the main office and wear a volunteer badge while on campus
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training and provide proof of completion before volunteering

Category C: Unsupervised or Higher-Responsibility Volunteers

Category C is for volunteers who may have direct or unsupervised interaction with students or who serve in off-campus or overnight roles. This includes volunteer drivers, overnight chaperones, off-site tutors or mentors, walk-on coaches, and athletic support volunteers. Returning Category C volunteers with fingerprint clearance already on file do not need to be fingerprinted again each year, but they must still submit a Volunteer Application Packet annually.

Requirements:

Must be approved by district administration
Must present a current government-issued photo ID
Must complete and submit the district Volunteer Application Packet each year
New Category C volunteers must complete DOJ and FBI fingerprint clearance
Must sign in at the main office and wear a volunteer badge while on campus
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training and provide proof of completion before volunteering

how to get started

Review the volunteer categories to determine which level applies to your planned activity.
Complete the required forms and provide identification, if applicable.
Submit your Volunteer Application Packet if required for your category.
Complete Mandated Reporter Training and submit proof of completion, as required.
Wait for district or site approval before beginning volunteer service.

Volunteer Expectations

All volunteers are expected to follow district procedures and the Volunteer Code of Conduct. This includes signing in at the main office, wearing identification when required, maintaining confidentiality, using only adult restroom facilities, and acting in the best personal and educational interest of every child. Volunteers are also expected not to exchange personal contact information with students, not to contact students outside school hours without permission, and not to transport students without proper authorization and district approval.

Important Reminders

Volunteer approval is processed annually, with the school year defined as July 1 through June 30.
All volunteers, regardless of category, will be required to complete annual Mandated Reporter Training beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
Parent or guardian volunteers who plan to drive for a field trip or sporting event must have Category C clearance.
Volunteers may not begin service until all required steps are completed and approval has been granted.

frequently asked questions

Do all volunteers need training?
Beginning with the 2026–2027 school year, yes. Volunteers must complete annual Mandated Reporter Training and submit proof before approval.

Do I need fingerprints?
Fingerprinting is required for new Category C volunteers and may also be required for some Category B volunteers at the district’s discretion.

If I want to drive on a field trip, what level do I need?
Volunteers who plan to drive for field trips or sporting events must have Category C clearance.

Do I need to reapply every year?
Yes. Volunteers are processed annually each school year. Returning Category C volunteers with fingerprint clearance on file do not need to repeat fingerprinting annually, but they do need to submit the application packet each year.