Volunteering

Per Oregon’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Teachers and School Staff (Oregon Administrative Rule 333-019-1030), all individuals who volunteer in person will be required to provide proof of vaccination or a district-approved medical or religious exception before volunteering in a Salem-Keizer Public Schools school, facility or activity.

For the 2022-23 school year, volunteer opportunities will be limited.

Previously approved volunteers who wish to volunteer in person will need to submit their COVID-19 vaccination documentation or an exception request through the link that was previously emailed or by showing their proof of vaccination to school staff.

Volunteers who are not vaccinated against COVID-19 or do not have a district approved medical or religious exception and individuals who do not wish to share a copy of their COVID-19 vaccination documentation may not volunteer in person.

For additional information about the COVID-19 vaccination requirements, including information about exception requests, please see the FAQ below.

COVID-19 FAQs for Volunteers

Will volunteer opportunities be available in Salem-Keizer schools during the 2022-23 school year?

Updated 8/24/2022

Yes, we are excited to have volunteers back in our schools! We closely monitor the rates of COVID-19 in our community and follow guidance from local and state health officials. If adjustments need to be made during the school year regarding the number and/or types of volunteer activities in place in schools, we will communicate through the District’s communication channels.

All volunteers must clear the SKPS criminal history check process and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or receive a district-approved medical or religious exception before volunteering. Volunteer opportunities may vary from school to school and department to department. If you have any questions, please reach out to the school or department where you would like to volunteer.

Students studying in school wearing a mask

Are volunteers required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to volunteer in Salem-Keizer Public Schools?

Updated 3/28/2022

As defined in OAR 333-019-1030, all volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated or receive a district-approved medical or religious exception before volunteering in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. Volunteers are considered fully vaccinated once they have received both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose vaccine and are at least 14 days beyond completion of the vaccine series.

Are volunteers required to receive a booster vaccine in order to volunteer?

Currently, volunteers are not required to receive a booster vaccine in order to volunteer.

What is the process for volunteers to submit proof of vaccination to Salem-Keizer Public Schools?

Updated 8/24/2022

Existing Volunteers

Existing volunteers who provided an email address when they submitted their criminal history form will receive an email from the District in December 2021 and March 2022. The emails contained a unique link which allows the volunteer to submit proof of vaccination

Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include a picture of your vaccination card, a printout from your medical provider such as Salem Health’s MyChart system or any other official documentation that shows your name, date of birth, vaccination manufacturer, vaccination date(s) and the provider name performing the vaccination. Currently, the District accepts submissions in the following formats: PDF and Images (JPEC, GIF, BMP, TIFF, etc).

Volunteers who do not receive an email link from SKPS or are unable to submit their proof of vaccination using the link are encouraged to contact the school or department where they would like to volunteer. School staff will be able to discuss alternative methods for volunteers to submit proof of vaccination.

New Volunteers

New volunteers will receive an email containing a unique link once they submit their volunteer criminal history check form. The link allows the volunteer to submit proof of vaccination.

Acceptable forms of proof of vaccination include a picture of your vaccination card, a print out from your medical provider such as Salem Health’s MyChart system or any other official documentation that shows your name, date of birth, vaccination manufacturer, vaccination date(s) and the provider name performing the vaccination. Currently, the District accepts submissions in the following formats: PDF and Images (JPEC, GIF, BMP, TIFF, etc).

Volunteers who do not receive an email link from SKPS or are unable to submit their proof of vaccination using the link are encouraged to contact the school or department where they would like to volunteer. School staff will be able to discuss alternative methods for volunteers to submit proof of vaccination.

What is the process for volunteers to request a medical or religious exception?

updated 8/24/2022

Volunteers who provide an email address when they submit their criminal history form receive an email from the District which contained a unique link that allows the volunteer to submit proof of vaccination. The same link can be used in order to request an exception.

Medical exception requests must include a statement from a medical provider indicating that the volunteer should not receive a COVID vaccination due to a medical condition. Specific details are available on the exception request form.

Religious exception requests must include a statement by which the volunteer attests to a sincerely held religious belief and why that believe affects their ability to receive a COVID vaccination. Specific details are available on the exception request form.

Are current Salem-Keizer Public Schools students required to submit proof of vaccination in order to volunteer with younger students?

updated 3/28/2022

Student Volunteers

Current SKPS students who are volunteering as part of their educational program are not required to submit proof of vaccination.

Students 16 and over

Students age 16 years and older are required to submit proof of vaccination or receive a district-approved medical or religious exception if their volunteering is not connected to their educational program. Students are encouraged to contact staff at their school to discuss their specific situation.

group of kids wearing masks running outside

What COVID-19 protocols should volunteers expect to follow when they arrive at a school to volunteer?

updated 3/8/2022

All employees, contractors, volunteers and visitors are expected to follow safety protocols when in Salem-Keizer Public Schools. These protocols are important for helping to ensure a safe and healthy school environment:

Maintaining 3 feet of physical distancing as much as possible
Practicing safe hand washing/sanitizing as needed
Not volunteering with any COVID-19 symptoms
Masking is optional at this time inside our facilities. Individuals who are at high risk or unvaccinated are encouraged to continue wearing KN95 masks.

Volunteers are encouraged to discuss specific protocols with staff at the school where they will be volunteering.

Other Volunteer FAQs

Adult Volunteers – Submit a Criminal History Check

Volunteers are needed all year long. If you’d like to volunteer there are many opportunities, including: chaperoning off-site incentive trips, classroom help, mailings, bulletin boards, library shelving, working at the book fairs, and many other areas.

All volunteers must complete a Criminal History Check

To help protect the safety and welfare of students and staff, all volunteers must complete a criminal history background check prior to beginning their volunteer service.

Option 1: Fill out the Online Form

Fill out the online webform to submit a criminal history check. The online process is secure, and only authorized district staff will see the results. The online submission form is the preferred method.

Option 2: Download & Print Form

A paper criminal history check form may be submitted, however the clearance process can take several weeks. Download the Criminal History Check Packet (PAP-F003) form available in: Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish. Fill out the form, print it, and return to:

Human Resources: Volunteer
2450 Lancaster Drive NE,
Salem, OR 97305

Fill Out the Online Volunteer Form

Contact Us

Want to be a mentor or school volunteer?

Contact your local school about becoming a mentor or school volunteer and joining a parent club or 21st Century Site Council

Questions about criminal history check or approved volunteers?

Email Debbie Joa in Human Resources with questions about criminal history check or a list of approved volunteers.

Training Materials for Volunteers

Responding to Suspected Child Abuse, Volunteers

As a volunteer, you may interact with students who have been the victims of abuse or neglect. You may question how you should respond to such concerns. This PDF, Responding to Suspected Child Abuse: Guidelines for Salem-Keizer School District Volunteers, provides the process to follow if you suspect that a child at school is the victim of abuse.
Please read the information carefully and speak with an administrator if you have questions.
Please visit our Child Abuse Prevention page for more information on preventing child abuse.

Volunteer Handbook

The Volunteer Handbook contains information on volunteer expectations, important policies, practices, and procedures to ensure student and adult safety.

Available in English | Russian | Spanish | Swahili

Volunteers Pamphlet

The Volunteers – Maintaining Appropriate Boundaries pamphlet contains tips for appropriate interactions between
students and volunteers.

Available in Chuukese | English | Spanish

Guidance for Coaches

The Guidance for Physical Contact with Athletes in the Coaching Environment document provides information on responsibly teaching and modeling skills for student athletes by fostering a safe and comfortable environment.

Available in English

Information for Volunteers: Child Abuse and Adult-Child Boundaries

Harassment, Bullying, Sexual Harassment, and Teen Dating Violence

General FAQs on Volunteering

Who must complete the Volunteer Criminal History Check Process?

To help protect the safety and welfare of students and staff, all volunteers must complete a criminal history and sexual misconduct check prior to beginning their volunteer service. Criminal history check forms are required for people involved in but not limited to the following: coaching or advising, assisting with before or after school programs, assisting with camps (including but not limited to athletic, music or drama), mentoring, tutoring, interning or student teaching, assisting in the classroom or office, or chaperoning. In accordance with Administrative Policy PAP- A003, any person volunteering in any capacity with the Salem-Keizer School District is required to complete the criminal history check process. This includes volunteering that takes place in person or through the District’s electronic systems.

What training is available for volunteers?

The District volunteer handbook provides important information about the roles and responsibilities for volunteers. In addition, information about student-safety topics (child abuse reporting, maintaining appropriate boundaries with students, sexual conduct and bullying, harassment and sexual harassment) are available under Training Materials for Volunteers.

Staff at the school/department where you will be volunteering will likely have additional information or training that is specific to the activities with which you will be assisting. You are encouraged to reach out to a staff member if you have any questions about your volunteer activities.

Do Salem-Keizer students need to complete the criminal history check process prior to volunteering?

Students (under age 18) need to complete the Student Criminal History Check form prior to volunteering with younger children. The form can be picked up from the school office or found under the Student Volunteer section. Completed forms should be returned to the student’s teacher, the school office, or the school administrator.

Can I apply to volunteer online?

Adult volunteer applicants are encouraged to submit a criminal history check online. This is the quickest way to get your information processed and approved.

If you would prefer not to complete the application online; we also accept paper criminal history check packets. Packets are available at the school/location where you would like to volunteer or download the Criminal History Check Packet (PAP-F003) form available here: Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish. Fill out the form, print it, and return to: Human Resources – Volunteer, 2450 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305

Are student teachers and interns required to complete the criminal history check process?

Yes. Even if a student teacher or intern completes a criminal history check through a university or licensing agency, they are required to complete a Salem-Keizer School District criminal history check prior to beginning student teaching. Please contact the Human Resources Department at 503-399-3061 for additional information.

When can a volunteer applicant begin to volunteer?

After completing the criminal history check/sexual misconduct process, as well as providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination or receiving a medical or religious exception through the District’s Human Resources Department. An individual may not volunteer until final approval is given by Prevention and Protection/Human Resources staff. As the process can take several weeks during peak times, volunteers are encouraged to submit paperwork early.

What happens when a Criminal History Check Packet is incomplete?

Please ensure that all sections of the form are complete. Forms that are incomplete or inaccurate will be returned, rejected, or delayed in processing.

Does the applicant need to disclose their social security number?

No. Providing the last four digits of your social security number on this form is voluntary. If for any reason we are unable to complete the criminal history check, we may ask you to provide additional means of identification. If you do provide your social security number, it will be used to ensure you are not misidentified. Your social security number will be used only as stated above. State and Federal law protects the privacy of your records. Student volunteers (under age 18) do not need to provide a social security number or driver license number on their application.

How do I find out if my criminal record will permit me to volunteer?

First you must submit a criminal history form, either online or a paper form. Fill out a criminal history check online or download the Criminal History Check Packet (PAP-F003) form available in: Chuukese | English | Marshallese | Russian | Spanish. Fill out the form, print it, and submit it to: Human Resources – Volunteer, 2450 Lancaster Drive NE, Salem, OR 97305

You will be notified via telephone, mail, or email if your application requires additional review. If you would like to discuss your situation prior to submitting a criminal history form, please contact the Human Resources Department at 503-399-3061.

Who should I contact if I have any volunteer questions about the process?

Please feel free to contact the Salem-Keizer school where you wish to volunteer or contact the Human Resources Department at 503-399-3061.

Please feel free to contact the school where you wish to volunteer or contact the Human Resources Department at 503-399-3061 or email volunteering@salkeiz.k12.or.us.