Things to Know Before You Start Volunteering

In order to be a volunteer, you must complete the online Better Impact volunteer application. The District will then conduct a Megan’s Law background check (per CA Penal code 290).  

Completed volunteer applications are routed to the District Office for final approval. If all the requirements have been met, the Human Resources Department will notify the school site that the volunteer is cleared to begin services. Approval may take up to three (3) weeks. Please plan accordingly, especially if you are volunteering in a situation that would require fingerprinting.

Before you begin your application, please gather the following  information:

Tuberculosis Clearance (Required for All)

To complete the volunteer application, you will need to provide a Tuberculosis (TB) Clearance prior to any services rendered to the school site.  A TB Clearance is done at the volunteer's expense and is valid for four (4) years.  Volunteers may choose to either have a TB risk assessment form completed & signed by a physician, a TB skin test, OR a TB blood test done for the required clearance. Additional information is available on the California Department of Public Health website.

Fingerprint Clearance (If Necessary)

A fingerprint clearance is required if volunteers are placed in a situation in which they would directly supervise students without an on-duty district employee present. Such scenarios would include working one-on-one with students. For example:

• • • Volunteer assignment involves contact with students at school or on field trips where there is a possibility the volunteer could be outside the presence of a certificated staff member (teacher or administrator) even briefly.
    • Driving and/or chaperoning field trips, including after-school sports (Note: a valid CA Driver's License and insurance coverage is also required for drivers).

Check with the school office to find out if your volunteer role requires fingerprinting clearance.

Note: If you have been previously fingerprinted for the Sunnyvale School District, you do not need to repeat this process. However, if you have been fingerprinted by another agency, then you will need to be fingerprinted again the Sunnyvale School District Fingerprinting Form.