- Wake County Public School System
- Visitors vs Volunteers
-
Visitors Vs. Volunteers
Am I a Visitor or a Volunteer?
Visitors
- Who is a visitor?
- Visitors are parents/guardians, family members and other members of the community who are permitted on school grounds on a limited basis to participate in educational programs or events.
- Can I supervise students?
- No. Visitors are not permitted to supervise students or be alone with students.
- Do I have to be supervised by school personnel?
- Yes. Visitors are subject to the direct supervision of school personnel.
- Do I have to get a background check as a visitor?
- All visitors must sign-in at the school through our Visitor Management system, which includes a sex offender registry check.
- What are some examples of visitor activities?
- Guest speaker/presenter at school events
- Attendee at school events open to the public, such as a play, concert, open house, curriculum night, book fair
- Attendee at classroom events, such as a class party
- Parent/guardian visiting with or having lunch with their student
- Guest reader at school event
Volunteers
- Who is a volunteer?
- Volunteers are visitors who provide assistance to schools for school events, school activities or other school needs. School volunteers often provide assistance to schools on a regular basis, but are not required to do so.
- Can I supervise students?
- Yes. School volunteers may supervise students, work directly with students, and may be alone with students.
- Do I have to be supervised by school personnel?
- No. School volunteers may work with students with or without school personnel.
- Do I have to get a background check as a volunteer?
- Yes. All volunteers must undergo and pass a criminal background check. The requirement of a background check to volunteer is not dependent upon the length of the volunteer activity. We recognize that not all volunteer activities are recurring.
- What are some examples of volunteer activities?
- Tutor (in person or online)
- Field trip chaperone, including overnight activities (Note: Parents accompanying their child on a field trip must undergo volunteer background searches.)
- Helping with the front office
- Coaching sports
- Activity/club sponsor
- Room parent
- Field day worker
- Testing proctor
- Regular/recurring readers for classrooms
- PTA members assisting in volunteer activities
- Who is a visitor?