Volunteer
How to Become Involved with Dearborn Park International School
We LOVE and NEED our wonderful Dearborn Park International School volunteers and chaperones. When students see family and friends joining in at school, it builds on a positive school climate and culture in so many ways.
We welcome our families and community to become involved in our wonderful school in any way that you can.
Whether you can join us in our school, or on field trips, or if you want to become a part of our PTA, or even if you would like to donate money or supplies, we warmly invite you to become a part of our Dearborn Park International School family.
Please join us in our school, lunchroom, classrooms, library on projects, at events, on field trips, and show your support.
Ongoing volunteering is always welcomed, but so is the occasional volunteering when you find time to pitch in.
Please check out Seattle Public Schools Volunteer Information and Handbook to read more about what volunteering means here at DPIS or explore our PTA, and Volunteer web pages, or contact our assistant secretary Karen Lam at kelam@seattleschools.org.
What Dearborn Park Volunteers Do
We have projects for everyone; and for speakers of all languages, levels, and skills. We have many opportunities, and ongoing volunteering is welcome!
Here are just a few examples of volunteer opportunities:
- Crossing guard duty
- Volunteers with Mandarin Chinese and Spanish skills
- Classrooms
- art projects
- classroom events>
- organization of supplies, classroom materials, books, etc
- chaperoning field trips
- Before school supervision
- Support in our cafeteria as we provide a free breakfast for all students
- After school programs
- Assisting in Mr. Reggie’s Enrichment Club
- Assisting in SCATS on Tuesdays and Thursdays
- Assisting in our Reading Club
- Lunch supervision
- Support our students as they fuel their brain with food during lunch time
- Recess supervision
- Help make recess a fun and engaging time for all students
- Support in the library where students get an opportunity for tech time
- Library volunteers including new book prep, re-shelving, book fairs, special projects and displays
- and much, much more!
How to become a Dearborn Park volunteer
In order to volunteer or chaperone, you must first be cleared by the Seattle School District at least 24 hours BEFORE participating. Please submit all the required forms and documents found on the Seattle Public Schools Volunteering page
If you have a specific field trip or volunteer opportunity that you want to participate inyou must have given all paperwork to the DPIS office no later than 24 hours before.
Background checks take 24 hours to process. Unfortunately, those wishing to volunteer or chaperone will NOT be able to participate if forms are submitted on the morning or day of the volunteering opportunity or field trip.
For more information about volunteering at Dearborn Park contact Karen Lam in our front office.
That’s it! Welcome, DPIS Volunteer! You can volunteer and/or chaperone the day after you turn in your paperwork, and as much as you want for the rest of the school year.
DPIS Family Room Contact Information
Contact Karen Lam
206 252-6934
Dearborn Park International
2820 S. Orcas St.
Seattle, WA 98108
Mailstop SM-251
Volunteer & Chaperone Links
How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools
Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?
- Higher grades, test scores & 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!