Volunteer
Volunteer at Lafayette
What makes Lafayette so successful? Students, staff and many, many volunteers working together as a team. We invite you to be a part of that team. Below you will find brief descriptions of areas where you are needed.
Room Parents & Classroom Helper
A wonderful way to get involved in your child’s school! Each class needs a room parent to assist the teacher and the PTA. Teachers’ needs vary but your duties may include maintaining a classroom telephone directory, arranging field trips, organizing parent assistance on special projects, coordinating Teacher Appreciation Week for your class, or planning a class party. Sign up to be the main room parent or a classroom helper!
Tutoring
One of our most important volunteer requests, tutors are needed for individual or small group help in both general and special education classrooms. Your school volunteer coordinator will work with the teacher to coordinate days and times that are convenient for you. You can give as little as one day a week for a couple of hours or an hour every day. Help with reading, math, or another subject as you prefer. Lafayette welcomes all parents, friends, or community members to volunteer and make a difference in a young person’s education.
Library Assistant
Share your love of books with our kids by assisting Ms. Nakagawa in the library! Check books in and out for students and re-shelve library materials. Be on-call to assist at book fairs throughout the school year, cashiering during this important fundraiser to benefit our library.
Playground, Lunchroom and Gym Supervision
Training will be provided. Responsibilities include conflict resolution and maintaining safety. School staff will be present.
- Gym assistants M/W 11:30 – 1:30
- Recess duties: 10:45-11:05 (K-1st); 11:10-11:30 (2nd-3rd); 11:35-11:55 (4th-5th)
- Lunchroom help: 11:05-11:30 (K-1st); 11:30-11:55 (2nd-3rd); 11:55-12:20 (4th-5th)
Questions?! Please contact Lafayette PTA Lafayette.pta.seattle@gmail.com
*Note: The Seattle School District requires all volunteers to submit a completed Volunteer Application Form with background check prior to working with students. Copies of this application are available from the school office.
How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools
Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?
- Higher grades, test scores, and graduation rates
- Better attendance
- Increased motivation & self-esteem
Checklist for New Volunteers
Visit our volunteer website to:
- Review volunteer handbook
- Complete online training
- Apply securely online
- Background check required
Questions? Contact your school office or visit the SPS Volunteer page to learn more.
Additional Steps for Certain Volunteer Roles
The following volunteer roles require a national background check, regardless of how long the volunteer has resided in Washington:
- Unsupervised volunteers who work with children regularly (including remote/virtual volunteers).
- Volunteers chaperoning overnight field trips longer than three days.
- Volunteers involved in any sports or gym activities coordinated by the school (for Athletics see *).
If situations 2 or 3 apply to you, visit the volunteer website to learn more.
* Important: Athletic coaches must apply via SPS Athletics Department.
Sports Safety
All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.
Field Trips
Field trip volunteers supervise students. Once approved to volunteer, request additional forms from the field trip organizer to review and acknowledge your important responsibilities.
Keeping Students Safe
Child Abuse Prevention
Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18. Volunteers help to protect children by learning to recognize and report potential abuse.
At SPS, each volunteer completes an online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training before start of their service.
Criminal Background Check
- If you have lived in Washington State for the past three (3) years, SPS will complete your state background check at no cost to you.
- If you came to Washington from another state in the past three years, you will need to purchase a one-time national background check.
New or newly returned to the U.S.?
Visit the SPS Volunteer page for more information.
Why is there a fee for out-of-state background checks?
Unlike our state, the federal government does not provide schools with free screening tools. SPS selected a vendor to offer secure, affordable background checks for the volunteers who need them ($21 in most cases).
Frequently Asked Questions
I completed an online application last year. Do I have to reapply this year?
Your online application is on file so please do not create a new application. On your second volunteer anniversary, you will receive an email with login instructions to renew your application.
Can I use my smart phone to apply?
Our online volunteer application is smart-phone friendly.
Thank you for helping create safe schools, and for your generous donation of time and talent!