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PA  Act 15 of 2015 requires volunteers to have clearances/background checks prior to volunteering in a public school. These clearances are valid for 60 months (5 years) from the date of the clearance. 

The PA Department of Education (PDE) recognizes differences between volunteers and visitors – see examples below and click HERE for more information. Contact our Human Resources with any questions.   

• VOLUNTEERS: Classroom assistants, homeroom parents, field trip chaperones, volunteer recess and library aides, and volunteer coaches and club advisors. Volunteers are routinely responsible for the care, supervision, and/or guidance of children.
  
  
• VISITORS: Parents attending back-to-school nights, parent/teacher conferences, school assemblies/concerts, birthday parties, and Halloween parades, and guest readers, concession stand workers, “Career Day” participants. Visitors are not routinely responsible for the care, supervision, and/or guidance of children. 

The information below is intended for VOLUNTEERS. NOTE: If you are compensated by Â鶹´«Ã½ by paycheck, parent fund, or student fund, you are NOT a volunteer and must complete employee paperwork.

• Click to register and create an account. NOTE: Each household member interested in volunteering must create an individual App Garden account.
  
  
• All communication about your account status will be sent to the email address on file in App Garden.
  
  
• Volunteer cards are sent by USPS after your paperwork is reviewed and approved.  

 REQUIRED CLEARANCES and DOCUMENTS:

1. Volunteer Agreement: Include names of all schools where you plan to volunteer. Select a ‘Primary' location AND 'Preferred' locations (all schools your child(ren) will attend while enrolled in CB). 
2. - Click “New Volunteer Record Check” and follow the prompts. Once the Control Number is available, click the Certification Form link to open, save, and print your official certificate.  
3. - Click "Create Individual Account" and follow prompts. Use your Keystone ID (which you create) to access your results.
4.  (2 Options Available): 

• 1. • Pennsylvania resident for the past 10 consecutive years: Not required to be fingerprinted. Complete the residency Volunteer Affidavit. Notary services are available at the Â鶹´«Ã½ Administration office free of charge – click HERE for more information.  
     • Pennsylvania resident, but NOT for the past 10 consecutive years: Required to complete the fingerprinting clearance. Click , register and schedule your appointment through IdentoGo.
       NOTE:  The FBI Volunteer Fingerprinting Clearance is processed through the Department of Human Services (DHS) - enter Service Code 1KG6ZJ. (Fingerprinting clearances obtained prior to the switch to DHS are still valid for 60 months from the date of the clearance).

5. TB test/results are required prior to volunteering if you spend 10 hours or more a week with students. Click the TB Test form. 
6. Student  Volunteer: Current CB students and minors under age 18 must complete the Student Volunteer Affidavit.
7. Volunteer COACHES must complete the , and have up-to-date TB test results prior to beginning coaching, regardless of the amount of time spent with students.
   

Mandated Reporter Information: Under Pennsylvania law, any person having direct contact with school children is considered a mandatory reporter and is required to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse.

All Â鶹´«Ã½ Bucks School District volunteers are mandated reporters. We recommend volunteers complete an online training course through the University of Pittsburgh's Child Welfare Resource Center, “Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive Reporting in PA.” Click the link to take the course, then upload your certificate to your App Garden account.  .

Thank you for volunteering your time and service, and for understanding the importance of complying with these state regulations for the safety of our students. 

HAVE QUESTIONS?  Please email Human Resources.