Montgomery County Public Schools encourages and welcomes school volunteers. The academic achievement and educational experiences of all students are enhanced by a community invested in their learning. We invite parents, families, and community members to engage in volunteer activities in our schools–from kindergarten to high school–and become partners in teaching and learning. Interested in becoming an MCPS Volunteer? Complete the Parent/Guardian and Community Volunteer Form and submit it to school administrators to inform the school of your interest.
As a community, we are mindful of our shared responsibility to create safe, nurturing environments for our students. MCPS is grateful for your commitment and partnership. Below are answers to frequently asked questions to help clarify volunteer training and background check requirements.
Volunteers may include parents/guardians and other family members, as well as members of the community interested in the education of children, who are willing to donate their time and skills to support the students of Montgomery County.
All volunteers who regularly support schools and school sponsored activities must complete the MCPS online Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: For Volunteers and Contractors. This training requirement also applies to student teachers and interns; volunteers who regularly help with school dismissal or recess; and those who attend field trips and chaperone outdoor education. The online training is provided in English, Spanish, Chinese, French, Korean, Amharic, and Vietnamese.
While we encourage all volunteers to view the informative training, currently only individuals who regularly support schools must complete the Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training. Individuals who support at large events or those who assist at one-time events under the supervision of school staff members are not required to view the training at this time. Below are examples of the types of activities that do not require completion of the training:
Participation is recorded and tracked by MCPS. A confirmation message verifying you completed the course will be sent to the email address you provided. The online training also provides users with an opportunity to print the certificate when completed. This certificate is valid at any MCPS school and is kept on file with the school or office where the volunteer is serving.
If MCPS records show that you completed the online MCPS Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect training in the 2017-2018 school year, you do not need to repeat it in the 2018-2019 school year. However, individuals are required to complete the training at least once every three years to continue volunteering. For example:
Yes, however the school you wish to volunteer must have verification that you have completed training. Volunteer coaches, overnight or extended day chaperones must wait until their criminal background check and fingerprinting results have been returned (see below).
The best way to begin volunteering is to contact the school directly. Each school tailors its volunteer opportunities to meet the needs of the school and can vary.
To best support school staff and students, volunteers are expected to follow these procedures each time they volunteer:
Yes, they include the following:
Background checks and fingerprinting information can be found at here and location information can be found here.
The best way to get additional information is to contact the school you wish to volunteer directly, or you can contact Shella B. Cherry, Student Leadership and Volunteers Coordinator, at 240-740-4692. We also invite you to read our MCPS Volunteer Regulation to learn more about the requirements and expectations of school volunteers.
You can learn about other MCPS safety procedures by visiting the Safety and Security website. Here you will find information about school security procedures and protocols, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and much more.
