Volunteer
Volunteering at Viewlands
There are numerous ways for people to be involved in Viewlands. Whether donating time as a volunteer, supporting our community by attending school events, or being a present and active member in the Viewlands Elementary Parent-Teacher-Student Association (VEPTSA) veptsa@viewlandsptsa.org, we are so appreciative of our volunteers!
Parents may volunteer in classrooms, the library, and in our cafeteria with lunch. Carkeek Park Educational Center has training for parents to become docents of this amazing park furthering the partnership between the park and Viewlands Elementary School.
All volunteers must complete an online application process. Get started and find the Volunteer Application and Chaperone Application in the right hand column. Here you will also find a link to the short, required, one-time-only safe boundaries training video (ASM). Please upload the following documents in the application: 1) copy of Driver’s License 2) ASM Completion Certificate 3) proof of 3-year Washington residency if your driver’s license was issued less then three years from the present date. You will not need to submit proof of the 3-year residency if your student has attended Viewlands for 3+ years. If you are unable to upload these documents please feel free to submit copies to the school office.
Viewlands PTSA (VEPTSA) has been busy planning extracurricular activities and community building events. To learn how you can join, or for more information about their sponsored events, please visit the Viewlands PTSA.
We are excited about building sustainable relationships with various community organizations like Carkeek Park, the Windermere Foundation, SDOT and City of Seattle Preschool to further benefit the academic learning of our students.
Please contact Leandra Davidson – lddavidson@seattleschools.org with any questions.
How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools
Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?
- Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
- Better attendance
- Increased motivation & self-esteem
Checklist for New Volunteers
Visit our volunteer website to:
- Review volunteer handbook
- Complete online training
- Apply securely online
- Background check required
Questions? Contact your school office or visit the SPS Volunteer page to learn more.
Additional Steps for Certain Volunteer Roles
The following volunteer roles require a national background check, regardless of how long the volunteer has resided in Washington:
- Unsupervised volunteers who work with children regularly (including remote/virtual volunteers).
- Volunteers chaperoning overnight field trips longer than three days.
- Volunteers involved in any sports or gym activities coordinated by the school (for Athletics see *).
If situations 2 or 3 apply to you, visit the volunteer website to learn more.
* Important: Athletic coaches must apply via the SPS Athletics Department.
Sports Safety
All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.
Field Trips
Field trip volunteers supervise students. Once approved to volunteer, request additional forms from the field trip organizer to review and acknowledge your important responsibilities.
Keeping Students Safe
Child Abuse Prevention
Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18. Volunteers help to protect children by learning to recognize and report potential abuse.
At SPS, each volunteer completes an online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training before start of their service.
Criminal Background Check
- If you have lived in Washington State for the past three (3) years, SPS will complete your state background check at no cost to you.
- If you came to Washington from another state in the past three years, you will need to purchase a one-time national background check.
New or newly returned to the U.S.?
Visit the SPS Volunteer page for more information.
Why is there a fee for out-of-state background checks?
Unlike our state, the federal government does not provide schools with free screening tools. SPS selected a vendor to offer secure, affordable background checks for the volunteers who need them ($21 in most cases).
Frequently Asked Questions
I completed an online application last year. Do I have to reapply this year?
Your online application is on file so please do not create a new application. On your second volunteer anniversary, you will receive an email with login instructions to renew your application.
Can I use my smart phone to apply?
Our online volunteer application is smart-phone friendly.
Thank you for helping create safe schools, and for your generous donation of time and talent!