Q: What do I need to do?

A: All volunteers must register and have an approved criminal background check prior to volunteering in the Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS). It’s easy—and it helps keep our kids safe at school! Registration usually takes 5–10 minutes, and reactivation (which needs to be done every school year) usually takes 5 minutes or less.

Q: Where can I register?

A: For security reasons, you may only register on our school intranet. This is available on computers at WCPSS campuses. At Northwoods, just stop by our Media Center.

Q: When can I register?

A: You can register any weekday (Monday–Friday), anytime between 8:45 a.m.–3:45 p.m.

Q: What information do I need when registering?

A: Please bring your driver’s license and know your Social Security number.

Q. Who doesn’t have to register?

A. Parents coming to school to eat lunch with their children do not need to be registered as volunteers; instead, they should sign in as visitors at the main office. People who visit for single or random occasions such as awards assemblies and for presenting at career fairs, academic fairs, and fundraising assemblies may also sign in as visitors, not volunteers.

Q: Do I have to register at each school where I have children?

A: No, you only need to register once. Be sure to list all your children and the schools they attend so that each school can be notified of your clearance status.

Q: How can I find out if I have been approved?

A: Please call or visit our school’s main office. The staff receives an updated list of approved volunteers regularly.

Q: How long will it take until I find out if I am cleared?

A: The amount of time it takes to process volunteer requests and background checks varies depending on the volume of requests; most requests take between 3 days to 2 weeks. The highest volume occurs at the beginning of the school year. Parents and other volunteers are encouraged to register as early in the school year as possible.

Q: Can I volunteer at Northwoods while I am waiting for notification?

A: No. Unfortunately, all volunteers must register and receive clearance notification before volunteering at their children’s schools. This is per WCPSS Board policy.

Q: Am I allowed to have lunch with my child even though I have not been approved by WCPSS as a volunteer?

A: Yes.  WCPSS does not require parents to have volunteer clearance to eat lunch in the school cafeteria.  However, if you plan to participate in our Book and a Bite program (where parents read to small groups of children in the classroom without teacher supervision), volunteer clearance is required.

Q: I am a WCPSS employee. Do I need to register if I want to volunteer in my child’s school?

A: No. WCPSS employees do not have to register as volunteers to perform volunteer roles outside of their job assignment, such as volunteering for their own child’s school and/or class.