We want to share some important information in partnership with Chicago Public Schools about the new requirements for volunteers at our school. These changes are designed to make sure that our students are safe and well cared for while they are at school.

There are two levels of volunteers: Level 1 and Level 2.

• Level 1 Volunteers: (DO need to be fingerprinted.) Parents who volunteer for 10 or more hours a week in their child's classroom, or people who volunteer for 5 or more hours a week in a school where they don't have a child enrolled DO need to be fingerprinted. This also includes those who chaperone overnight trips, coach, tutor one-on-one, or help with other important roles.

  • Complete this form

  • CICS Fingerprinting Form

• Level 2 Volunteers:  (Do NOT need to be fingerprinted.) Parents who volunteer for less than 10 hours a week in their child's classroom or people who volunteer for less than 5 hours a week in a school where they don't have a child do NOT need to be fingerprinted. Level II volunteers can also be those who help for just one day, like speaking to a class, assisting with an event, or going on a field trip.

  • All Level 2 volunteers are required to complete the CPS volunteer application prior to volunteering on campus.

Level 1:  A fingerprint criminal background check IS REQUIRED.

1. A parent providing volunteer service in their child’s school or classroom for 10 or more hours/week

2. An individual providing volunteer service for 5 or more hours/week at a school where s/he does not have a child enrolled

3. Any individual chaperoning an overnight school-sponsored trip, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

4. Any individual serving in a coaching capacity, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves (See also the CPS High School Athletic Association Bylaws)

5. Any individual serving as a student teacher or pre-service teacher, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves (See also the Student Teacher and Pre-Service Teacher Enrollment Policy)

6. Any individual serving as a One-on-One tutor or mentor, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

7. Any individual providing volunteer service with students when such service may occur in an unsupervised setting, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves

8. Any individual providing volunteer service for a program where the program’s funding agency requires criminal record clearance, regardless of the hours/week that the volunteer serves.

Level 2: A fingerprint criminal background check is NOT required.

1. A parent providing supervised volunteer service in their child’s school or classroom for less than 10 hours/week

2. Any individual providing volunteer service for less than 5 hours/week at a school where s/he does not have a child enrolled

3. An individual providing incidental volunteer service with no ongoing individualized interaction with a student(s) including those who speak at a class/assembly, judge academic competitions, give musical performance, participate in the “Principal for a Day” program, job shadowing event or other one-time event provided where there is direct supervision of the activity/event by regular school employees

4. A parent accompanying his/her child’s class on a one-day field trip or another type of extracurricular activity that does not involve an overnight stay

5. An individual providing volunteer service on projects/activities involving no or nominal contact with children (home-based volunteer activities, volunteers serving at Central or Network office)

• Who pays for fingerprinting, etc.?

  • Distinctive Schools covers the cost, there is no fee for volunteers.

• Where do I go for fingerprinting?

  • Accurate Biometrics will complete your fingerprinting for you.

• What documents do you need to provide?

  • Valid, unexpired government issued ID

• How will I be contacted if I’m approved? 

  • The Distinctive Schools HR department will email you and the campus Principal to confirm that you are cleared to volunteer. 

• Do I need to go through this process next school year? 

  • If you wish to volunteer at your school next year, please notify the school by July 1, 2025.