The well-being and safety of all students are a top priority in Pennsbury School District. To comply with new PA laws that took effect on July 1, 2015, schools are now required to obtain background checks/clearances for individuals volunteering, participating in classroom parties or attending field trips. Background/safety clearances may take four weeks or longer to obtain. Be aware if you do not have your completed paperwork on file with the school office, you will not be permitted to participate in the activity. This will be strictly enforced to comply with district policy and ensure the safety of the children. Please plan accordingly and obtain your paperwork early. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy.

Penn Valley Elementary and the PV PTO value all of our volunteers and have seen the tremendous impact your time and talents have on our school community. We encourage everyone to obtain their clearances so that you can continue to participate in activities with your child and make a difference!

The well-being and safety of all students are a top priority in Pennsbury School District. Please be aware that parents/guardians who volunteer in the school, and parents/guardians who volunteer to be a field trip chaperone must obtain prior background checks/clearances in advance. This will be strictly enforced to comply with District Policy and ensure the safety of the children. We sincerely appreciate your understanding and compliance with this policy.

How to Obtain Background Clearances:

1. Act 34 Criminal Background Check: You may obtain this online at https://epatch.state.pa.us. The fee for volunteers who work with children is waived effective July, 25, 2015.

2. Act 151 Child Abuse History Clearance: You may obtain this online at https://www.compass.state.pa.us/CWIS. The fee for volunteers who work with children is waived effective July, 25, 2015.

3. Prospective volunteers WHO HAVE NOT resided in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for 10 consecutive years, must also obtain the FBI Clearance/Fingerprinting. Applications forms and instructions are available at http://www.pa.cogentid.com/index.htm. The cost of the fingerprint service is $27.00. You must register prior to going to the fingerprinting location.

*A prospective volunteer is required to obtain only the Pennsylvania State criminal background and child abuse clearances and is not required to secure the above FBI/fingerprint clearance if, and only if, the following three conditions are met:

• The prospective volunteer is applying for an unpaid position;

• The prospective volunteer has been a resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania continuously for the prior ten (10) year period; and The prospective volunteer swears or affirms in writing that the prospective volunteer has never been convicted of a disqualifying crime in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or another state, district or foreign nation, or under a former law of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

4. Submit all of your information and documentation to the Pennsbury School District Volunteer Tracker at https://appgarden5.app-garden.com/VolTrackPA98202.nsf/MyProfile.xsp?fbclid=IwAR17h9AVNGa8O0eSaz-VSBZ0f6imhOSG2Pn7ONXZ2hfIc5qVkKPiNTGlYdE. You will need to create an account and upload the documents listed above.

Please be aware that background/safety clearances may take four weeks or longer to obtain. If you are interested in being a chaperone, please plan accordingly and obtain your
paperwork early. NOTE: Clearances will need to be renewed every 5 years.

Board Policy #908.2 on volunteering in the Pennsbury schools may be viewed here.