Volunteer Information

Volunteering in DMUSD

Volunteers are an important part of the Del Mar Union School District community. We appreciate the time, talents, and support that parents, guardians, family members, and community members provide to our schools and students.

To support student safety and provide a clear and consistent process, DMUSD classifies volunteer assignments as either Level 1 or Level 2. The school or District program will determine the appropriate level based on the volunteer’s assigned responsibilities and the supervision that will be provided.

Who is a Volunteer?

A volunteer is an adult who provides unpaid assistance to a DMUSD school, classroom, program, or school-sponsored activity with District approval. A person attending an assembly, performance, conference, celebration, or other school activity solely as a guest or spectator is generally considered a visitor rather than a volunteer.

Requirements for All Volunteers

All DMUSD volunteers must:

Complete the DMUSD online volunteer application and screening process
Provide valid government-issued photo identification
Have current tuberculosis clearance on file
Review and acknowledge the DMUSD Volunteer Code of Conduct

TB clearance generally begins with a TB risk assessment completed by a qualified health care provider. Additional testing is required only when risk factors are identified or the provider determines that testing is necessary.

Level 1 Volunteer - Directly Supervised

Level 1 is the most common volunteer category. A Level 1 volunteer interacts with students under the immediate supervision and control of a DMUSD employee. The employee remains present, directs the activity, and retains responsibility for the students. A Level 1 volunteer may assist an individual student or small group while the supervising employee is present but may not be left alone with an individual student or group of students.

Examples of Level 1 Activities

Assisting a teacher in the classroom while the teacher is present
Workiing with students or assisting a small group while a DMUSD employee directly supervises the activity
Helping in the library, office, or another school area under staff supervision
Assisting on a field trip while remaining under the immediate supervision and control of District staff

Level 1 volunteers are not required to complete Live Scan fingerprinting or annual mandated reporter training as part of the DMUSD volunteer clearance process.

Level 2 Volunteer - Outside Immediate Supervision

A Level 2 volunteer may interact with or assume responsibility for students outside the immediate supervision and control of a DMUSD employee. Senate Bill 848 expanded California’s mandated reporter requirements to include adult school volunteers who interact with students outside the immediate supervision and control of a student’s parent, guardian, or school employee. Because Level 2 assignments may involve this type of student interaction, Level 2 volunteers must complete annual mandated reporter training.

Examples of Level 2 Activities

Working with an individual student or small group in a separate area without a DMUSD employee immediately present
Serving as a field trip chaperone when assigned responsibility for students outside the immediate supervision and control of District staff
Serving as an overnight chaperone with independent student supervision responsibilities

Additional Level 2 Requirements

Level 2 volunteers must complete all requirements applicable to Level 1 volunteers, plus:

California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation Live Scan fingerprint clearance
District-approved mandated reporter training completed annually
Any additional requirements associated with the particular activity

A volunteer may not serve in a Level 2 assignment until all requirements have been completed and the volunteer has received confirmation of approval.

Level 2 Mandated Reporter Training

Level 2 volunteers must complete AB 1913 – A Tool to Protect Our School Community through the JPA Learning Library.

Visit the JPA Learning Library
Select New User and enter the requested information. Save your login information for future years.
Select Catalog at the top of the page.
Locate and enroll in AB 1913 – A Tool to Protect Our School Community.
Complete the course and save the Certificate of Completion as a PDF.
Upload the certificate as directed in the Level 2 volunteer application.

The certificate submitted with the application must have been completed within the previous 90 days. Level 2 volunteers must complete the training annually.

Level 2 Live Scan Fingerprinting

Level 2 volunteers must complete California Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation Live Scan fingerprinting.

Applicants should download the DMUSD Level 2 Volunteer Live Scan Packet, which will include:

Instructions for completing the Live Scan process
A prefilled Request for Live Scan Service form
The approved Live Scan location
Instructions for submitting proof of completion to DMUSD

How to Become a Volunteer

Step 1: Complete the application.
Complete the DMUSD online volunteer application and submit the required identification, TB clearance, and Volunteer Code of Conduct acknowledgment.

Step 2: Complete any Level 2 requirements.
When the school identifies an assignment as Level 2, complete Live Scan fingerprinting and the annual JPA training.

Step 3: Wait for approval.
Submitting an application does not mean that the volunteer has been cleared. Do not begin volunteering until the school or District confirms that all applicable requirements have been completed and approved.

Each Time You Volunteer

Each time you report for a volunteer assignment:

Report to the school office.
Present valid government-issued photo identification.
Sign in using the District’s visitor and volunteer management system.
Wear the identification badge provided by the school.
Report directly to the assigned volunteer location.
Sign out when the assignment is complete.

Forms and Resources

DMUSD Volunteer Application
DMUSD TB Risk Assessment Form
DMUSD Volunteer Code of Conduct
Level 2 Volunteer Live Scan Instructions and Form
DMUSD Board Policy 1240 — Volunteer Assistance