There are procedures in place to differentiate between Volunteers who have been background checked by the district, and Visitors who have not. We want all families to feel welcome in our schools while ensuring safety and minimizing disruptions. 

Visitors are visiting the school for a specific purpose for 15 minutes or less and do not have an assigned activity at the school or school event. Visitors must check in with school office staff, provide ID upon request, and wear a visitor badge while at school. Visitors will always be in the presence of school staff and will never have unsupervised access to students. At the discretion of building staff, additional children like younger siblings may be allowed to accompany you as a visitor. Examples of school visitors include: a parent/guardian attending a school assembly or concert, attending a classroom birthday party, or dropping something off to their child at school.  Visitors are not permitted on school field trips.

Volunteers have an up to date volunteer application & background check on file with NTPS. Volunteers have an assigned activity at the school or school event, and may have unsupervised access to students. Volunteers are required to sign in on the school volunteer kiosk, and wear a volunteer badge while at school. Volunteers may not bring additional children with them while volunteering. Examples of school volunteers include: a parent/guardian or community member assisting in the classroom, at a school event, or as a field trip chaperone.

We are continuing a careful return to volunteering on school campuses, and have updated our volunteer policies with new COVID guidelines - including a waiver stating an assumption of risk, and details of the expected safety protocols.

COVID-19 Addition to our NTPS Volunteering Terms & Conditions 

COVID-19: 

As of November 1, 2022, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is no longer required to volunteer with NTPS.

I understand that volunteering on NTPS school campuses during the COVID-19 pandemic is voluntary and not required. I understand that choosing to volunteer for school support in person involves a risk of serious illness, injury, or death from COVID-19 and a risk of contracting and spreading the disease to others. I understand that these risks cannot be eliminated and knowingly assume such risks.

If I choose to volunteer on a school campus:

• I agree to follow all NTPS, Thurston County Public Health, and WA Dept of Health guidance for COVID safety. This includes:
  • I will show proof of my COVID-19 vaccination to the school office professional when entering a school building.
  • I will not come to school to volunteer if I do not feel well for ANY reason.
  • I will not come to school to volunteer if I have been advised to quarantine due to exposure or isolate due to a positive COVID-19 test.
  • I will sign in and out of the school CERVIS volunteer kiosk every time I participate in a volunteer activity on a school campus (mobile sign in options are available). This will include record your time at school for contact tracing, if needed.
  • I understand that wearing a mask is optional in most locations at school. I understand that mask wearing may be required in certain locations or situations at school.
  • I will report directly to my volunteer location and remain only in that area to the greatest extent possible.
  • I will practice proper social distancing and will not physically touch others.

You can learn more about the guidelines and policies related to volunteering in our district by reading the following douments:

• Volunteer Application Terms & Conditions (updated 4/2021)
• Volunteer Code of Conduct (updated 2022)
• Volunteer Handbook

See our district boundary maps here! >>

No. Volunteers were not rolled over from our old volunteer system (HelpCounter) to the new one (CERVIS) in summer of 2020. You will need to reapply, even if you were not expired yet. Your old login information will not work in the new system.

We updated our application renewal process to automatically process volunteer background checks every 2 years instead of asking volunteers to remember to reapply. Volunteers will agree to this as part of their new application in CERVIS. We hope this will make it easier to have your volunteer status ready whenever you need it!

If you have any questions about the new system transition or need volunteer records from the old system, please contact volunteersupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us

If you would like to volunteer in a way that is not listed under our application opportunities, please reach out to volunteersupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us

The volunteer sign in kiosk is located in or across from the school office. You must sign in and out on the kiosk when you volunteer at school. Scroll down for a video walk through of signing in at the volunteer kiosk.

At the kiosk, type any part of your name into the yellow box labeleled "Enter volunteer name" and select your name from the dropdown.

You will then be asked to enter the last 4 digits of your phone number to verify your identity (there is only one phone number listed in your volunteer profile - this is it).

You will then select your volunteer activity. You will first be shown events and projects that you have pre-registered for or signed in for in the past. Choose your activity and click Sign In. You may also be able to see additional opportunities that you are not pre-registered for by selecting "Walk-in Registration Opportunities".

When you are done volunteering for the day, return to the kiosk and repeat the entire process, this time clicking Sign Out for your activity.

You will automatically be credited with 3 hours if you forget to sign out. 

You are required to wear a volunteer badge with your name when volunteering at school. Use the adhesive volunteer badges located at the kiosk. If you log 25 hours, you'll get a custom reusable badge - so be sure to upload your preferred photo to your volunteer profile.

No. Your volunteer application is approved district-wide and you will be able to sign in on any school kiosk in the district once approved.

You can customize which schools you receive volunteer-related email from by logging into the volunteer portal and updating your volunteer profile information.

Starting in September 2020, volunteers will consent to automatic renewal of their background check every 2 years. You will be notified via email of the upcoming renewal, and asked to verify your volunteer profile information or given the opportunity to deactivate your volunteer status. We hope this makes it easier to have your volunteer status ready when you need it!

NTPS student volunteers will be contacted after graduation to determine if they would like their volunteer profile deactivated or converted to Community Member status.

North Thurston Public Schools is required per RCW 28A.404.303 to conduct a criminal background check on volunteer applicants in order to maintain a safe learning environment for all of our students and staff. We reserve the right to deny applicants with a criminal history and registered sex offenders.

NTPS recognizes that a criminal record alone is not an indication of the value volunteers offer our students. When reviewing criminal records, the school district also considers:

• The safety of our students and staff
• The nature and gravity of the offense(s)
• The time that has passed since the conviction and/or sentence
• The nature of the volunteer work for which the applicant is requesting to volunteer
• The positive impact the individual has had within the community since the offense

We respect your privacy and any conversations with regard to your background check will be kept confidential.

If you have further questions, please contact Volunteer Services at (360) 412-4451.

You can update any of your volunteer profile information by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal on the district or any school volunteer page. From the home menu, choose View or Update Volunteer Profile Information. This will bring up most fields from your original application where you can make any necessary updates. You can easily change the schools you get volunteer-related email from by updating the school checkboxes under "Volunteer Interests." Be sure to click the Update Volunteer Information button at the bottom of the page when your changes are complete.

Note: You will only receive email about volunteer opportunities at the schools selected on your profile, but you will be able to sign in at any school kiosk district-wide.

If you would like to begin volunteer coaching AFTER you already have an approved volunteer status, please update your volunteer profile with the additional required coach information by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal. From the home menu, choose View or Update Volunteer Profile Information, and fill in the four Volunteer Coach questions. Be sure to click the Update Volunteer Information button at the bottom of the page when your changes are complete.

Then email volunteersupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us and let us know - we'll submit your updates to the Athletic Director and Head Coach for approval and let you know the status of your application within 2 weeks.

Please make sure you have discussed your plan to volunteer with the Head Coach prior to updating your application.

You can contact your school volunteer coordinator or volunteersupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us to check your volunteer status.

You can also select the Log into Volunteer Portal icon on the district or any school volunteer page. This will allow you to enter your email address and first name to check if you have an existing volunteer profile.

If you don't want to remember a separate volunteer password, you may use your Google, Facebook, or Microsoft account to log into your NTPS CERVIS volunteer profile instead. It will attempt to match your email address and first name to an existing volunteer account. You must already have your application on file to use this feature.

When logging into the NTPS volunteer portal, choose from the colored Google, Microsoft, or Facebook Sign in buttons and you will get a pop up window where you can enter your information and verify your identity to log in to the NTPS CERVIS volunteer portal.

Please note that you must still set a password for CERVIS when you fill out your initial volunteer application, but that password will not be used for the Google, Microsoft, or Facebook sign in process.

You have 2 choices when signing up for volunteer activities. You can start by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal or you can start by visiting the event listing on your school volunteer page. Scroll down for a video walk through of how to sign up for an event.

To find events by logging into the volunteer portal:

From the home menu, choose Register / Apply for an Upcoming Opportunity. You can filter the event list by expanding the Search Events by Interest, Location, Date or Keyword function. Select your name and the school event you want to register for. A green bar will appear to Click here to register for this event. You may be prompted to select a time slot, if applicable. You will then see a green box saying Volunteer Registered Successfully and you will receive an email confirmation of your registration.

To find events by starting at your school volunteer event page:

Navigate to your school's volunteer page - the main volunteer page displays a pre-filtered list of the upcoming volunteer opportunities at that school. Click on an event to bring up the event details. Then select a green Sign Up box or the Click here to register button. 

You will then be prompted to log in to your volunteer profile to select shifts and complete the registration process similar to above.

You can view or cancel your volunteer registrations by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal on the district or any school volunteer page. From the home menu, choose View or Cancel Registration for an Upcoming Opportunity. 

Any current registrations will then be displayed. To cancel your registration for an event, select the checkbox next to the event name, and then the bottom button to Cancel selected event registration(s). You will then see a pop up window to confirm your cancellation - select Cancel Registration(s) once more and then you are done. You will receive an email confirmation of your cancellation.

You also have the option to cancel an event registration directly through a link in the confirmation email you received when you signed up. You are not required to log in when you cancel via this email link.

You can record your hours by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal on the district or any school's volunteer page. There is a general volunteer service project set up for each school named for the school and year (ex. "Aspire Volunteering 22-23") that is used both to sign in at school and to log hours at home. Scroll down for a video walk through of how to record your volunteer hours.

From the home menu, choose Record or Update Service Project Activity. It will then display all of the service projects you are registered for. Select your name and school project, and record the date, hours, and any notes; then click the Record Service Project Activity button. Your logged activity will then appear in the Current Profile Service Project Activity box directly below.

If you need to register for a new school's service project activity that is not already on your list, return to the home menu and choose Register / Apply for an Upcoming Opportunity. Select your name and the school project you want to register for. A green bar will appear to Click here to apply for this project. You will then see a new green box saying Service Project Application Approved - select CLICK HERE within that green box to directly record volunteer time. You will also now be able to record hours for that school project from the original Record Service Project Activity option on the home menu.

You can view or print your volunteer history by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal on the district or any school volunteer page. Scroll down for a video walk through of how to print your volunteer history.

From the home menu, choose View or Print Volunteer Activity History. You will then see a list of all of your recorded volunteer time, with a total of service hours listed at the bottom. To print, use the checkboxes to select your desired records (you can select all at the top) and then select the Print Summary button at the bottom. This will display a PDF report that can be saved or printed. Reports include a verification link and code at the bottom.

If you are a NTPS student who needs to document your volunteer hours for graduation or varsity letter requirements, you will need to complete the required paper documentation form with a signature from a representative of the organization you are volunteering with. For volunteering in NTPS schools, this signature would be from a school staff member or PTA officer. Your parent/guardian cannot sign off on your volunteer hours.

For graduation hours use the HS & Beyond Plan Community Involvement Documentation Form

For varsity letter hours, visit the Varsity Letter in Community Service page for the current application form.

You can also print your volunteer history by logging into the NTPS volunteer portal. From the home menu, choose View or Print Volunteer Activity History. You will then see a list of all of your recorded volunteer time, with a total of service hours listed at the bottom. To print, use the checkboxes to select your desired records (you can select all at the top) and then select the Print Summary button at the bottom. This will display a PDF report that can be saved or printed. Reports include a verification link and code at the bottom that can be used when submitting volunteer hours for credit, awards, or scholarships.

The FYR Center can use volunteers for processing community donations, laundering lost and found items, restocking schools with supplies (clothes, toiletries, etc.), greeting for the kids closet, and helping with office tasks. Please fill out the NTPS volunteer application, then contact volunteersupport@nthurston.k12.wa.us with your interest and availability if you'd like to volunteer at the FYR Center.

You must sign-up through the City of Lacey and complete their volunteer application in order to help at an ACT night dance at an NTPS Middle School. Visit the Lacey Activities Coalition for Teens website for more information.

If there is a drill, you need to leave the building along with the students and staff. Leave through the nearest exit, or if you are in a classroom leave with the class. If there is an earthquake drill, turn away from the windows and seek protection under a desk or other sturdy furniture. This is one reason why it's important to sign in and out at the volunteer computer kiosk, so school staff know to account for you in case of an emergency.

Please share your concerns with a teacher, principal, or other school staff as soon as possible. Volunteers are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding any student observations or records outside of school.