Volunteer
Delays in WA State Court System
There are currently backlogs with the background checks due to delays in the Washington State Court System. Processing time for applications will be affected for many applicants until the issues are resolved with the state courts, which is out of our control. We will post updates as we receive them.
Application Process
- School and District Volunteers
- High School Athletic Volunteer Coaches
- Other High School Athletic Volunteers
School and District Volunteers
All volunteers in Northshore are required to complete an online volunteer application to volunteer during the school year. It is also important to note that all volunteers who have completed a background check in the past will be expected to renew their volunteer application annually.
It is recommended that volunteers needing Level 1 background checks submit their applications at least a week before volunteering, and volunteers applying for the Level 2 background check for the first time submit their applications at least 2 weeks before volunteering in case of delays.
*Please ONLY use ONE EMAIL to apply to avoid duplicate accounts. Once you complete your application, please remember the email that you used so it is easier for school staff to locate your profile.
- Step One - read through the Northshore School District Volunteer Orientation.
- Step Two -
- Classroom(in-person or virtual) and/or on-campus volunteers during school hours - complete a background check (level 1) through Safe Visitor Solutions. This background check is through the Washington State Patrol System which many of you are familiar with. More information about background checks are provided in the Northshore School District Orientation. *
- Field trip chaperones/after-school chaperones and/or drivers - complete a background check (level 2) through Safe Visitor Solutions. There is a $12.95 cost to the volunteer to process this background check. In some cases, additional fees may be requested to obtain information from certain jurisdictions. If this cost creates a hardship that will prevent you from volunteering your time, please email partnerships@nsd.org.
- Level 2 Renewal Process - After your first year of volunteering as a Level 2, please complete a Level 1 background check (before your current Level 2 expires) and complete this form to maintain your Level 2 background status and to avoid having to pay the $12.95 fee again. After completing this form, your status will be changed to 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed' if and once your previous Level 2 and your unexpired status are confirmed. Once your status has been changed to 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed', you will be able to renew your Level 2 just by using the 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed' link that will be sent to you by email a month before it expires.
- Volunteer Badge Request - If you don't know the expiration date of your current status and need a new badge sent to your email, please fill out this form.
*Current NSD employees who wish to volunteer for field trips, camps or to chaperone off-campus events that they are not directly involved with (not part of their position's work) will need to complete a Level 1 background check, in addition to the NSD Employee Level 2 Clearance Request form. Once Partnerships has received the request, they will verify the applicant’s active employment with HR, and make a note in their Safe Visitor profile that they have been cleared as a Level 2 through our verification process.
- Step Three - Volunteers who plan to drive on field trips must complete an authorization form and provide proof of insurance to the school's office:
- Authorization for Use of Private Automobile
- Autorización Para El Uso De Un Automóvil Privado
- Step Four - Higher education students and community members, please email partnerships@nsd.org to receive assistance in finding a placement or volunteer opportunity in one of our schools.
*A criminal conviction will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and does not necessarily disqualify an applicant from volunteering.
*Release form for PTSA/Booster Clubs and outside organizations
(Please send the completed form to your school's PTA contact)
High School Athletic Volunteer Coaches
All athletic volunteer coaches in Northshore are required to complete an online volunteer application to volunteer during the school year, even if they submitted a volunteer application last school year. It is also important to note that all volunteers will be expected to renew their volunteer application annually.
If you completed a Level 2 background check in the past, you will only need to renew your Level 1 check before it expires to maintain your Level 2 status (we will note a previously completed Level 2 check on your volunteer profile). If your Level 1 status expires before you renew and there is a period/gap of having an inactive volunteer status, you will need to complete a new Level 2 check.
*Please ONLY use ONE EMAIL to apply to avoid duplicate accounts. Once you complete your application, please remember the email that you used so it is easier for school staff to locate your profile.
· Step One - read the Northshore School District Volunteer Orientation.
· Step Two - complete a background check (level 2) through Safe Visitor Solutions. There is a $12.95 cost to the volunteer to process this background check. In some cases, additional fees may be requested to obtain information from certain jurisdictions. If this cost creates a hardship that will prevent you from volunteering your time, please email partnerships@nsd.org.
After your first year of volunteering as a Level 2, please complete a Level 1 background check (before your current Level 2 expires) and complete this form to maintain your Level 2 background status and to avoid having to pay the $12.95 fee again. After completing this form, your status will be changed to 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed'. Once your status has been changed to 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed', you will be able to renew your Level 2 just by using the 'Level 2 Volunteer Renewed' link that will be sent to you by email a month before it expires.
**Current NSD employees who wish to volunteer as an athletic coach and need Level 2 clearance, please complete the following NSD Employee Level 2 Clearance Request form. Once Partnerships has received the request, they will verify the applicant’s active employment with HR, and make a note in their Safe Visitor profile that they have been cleared as a Level 2 through our verification process.
· Step Three - Make sure to complete Athletic Volunteer Interest Form. Upon completion of this form, the athletic director at your school of choice will be notified of your interest and you will be contacted if a volunteer opportunity becomes available. All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.
*A criminal conviction will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and does not necessarily disqualify an applicant from volunteering.
Other High School Athletic Volunteers
All athletic volunteers, not in a coaching role, in Northshore are required to complete an online volunteer application to volunteer during the school year, even if they submitted a volunteer application last year. It is also important to note that all volunteers will be expected to renew their volunteer application annually.
*Please ONLY use ONE EMAIL to apply to avoid duplicate accounts. Once you complete your application, please remember the email that you used so it is easier for school staff to locate your profile.
· Step One - read the Northshore School District Volunteer Orientation.
· Step Two - complete a background check (level 1) through Safe Visitor Solutions. This background check is through the Washington State Patrol System which many of you are familiar with. More information about background checks are provided in the Northshore School District Orientation. *
· Step Three - Make sure to complete Athletic Volunteer Interest Form. Upon completion of this form, the athletic director at your school of choice will be notified of your interest and you will be contacted if a volunteer opportunity becomes available.
*A criminal conviction will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and does not necessarily disqualify an applicant from volunteering.
Contact
Ways to Volunteer at Westhill
WatchDOGS
Join our WatchDOG program! WatchDOGS is a national program of Dads and others serving as male role models for our students.
2 Roles of WatchDOGS:
To provide positive male role models for the student, demonstrating by their presence that education is important.
To provide extra sets of eyes and ears to enhance school security and reduce bullying.
This is a sample of some activities
WatchDOGS participate in:
Play games or talking with students at recess
Sit next to students (model active listening)
Support independent work
Greet students off the bus
Read or listen to students read to you
Eat lunch (with your child)
Assist with traffic flow
Assist teacher with paperwork, stapling, prepping projects
Talk with students at breakfast
Assist with safe arrival / safe dismissal
Model respectful, responsible, safe behavior at Westhill
Laugh, smile, HAVE FUN with students
If you are interested, sign up by email:Watchdogs@WesthillPTSA.org
Lead DOGS
Jerry Abraham: jabraham@nsd.org
Thanks for helping our students find success both in and out of the classroom!
Breakfast Program
Join our Breakfast Program! Brighten your morning by hanging out with the kids who eat breakfast in the Westhill gym! This is a partially subsidized program that runs every day for the entire school year and is staffed with volunteers.
Westhill serves breakfast to students from 8:50am-9:05am every day in the gym. Volunteers help students by serving breakfast, helping clean up, and socializing/monitoring student behavior.
For more information please contact:
TBD
Art Docent
Every year, over the last five years, Westhill has had 20 or more art docents in our classrooms. The art docents use the district generated prints and curriculum (which reflects the state standards in art) to teach their art program. They combine their own creative talents and ideas with this program to provide students with exciting, strong and process oriented art projects.
Art docents at Westhill have encouraged a clay project in every grade. Our docents are taught how to work with clay and our kiln here on campus. Their commitment to this part of the program allows all students to use clay intentionally and create two and three dimensional ceramic art.
Each year, the docents come together at the end of the year to produce the annual Art Walk. At this event, students and parents come to school in the evening to view the collection of art produced over the course of the year. It is exciting to see our students work displayed.
In addition to our art docent program, the Reflections art program has also prospered here at Westhill. Each year, for the last five years, at least 30-50 entries have been submitted by students. At least 25 entries move on to the district level and at least two entries move on to the state level each year.
If you are interested in helping our students learn and create amazing pieces of art please contact artdocent@westhillptsa.org