Parents and community members over the age of 18 who wish to volunteer in the school must complete a Police Reference Check (which includes a vulnerable sector screening) and be cleared before they can participate in activities with students. This process ensures that schools and classrooms are safe places for students.
Parents who wish to help supervise children on a field trip, serve as a speaker in the classroom, help with pizza lunch, assist the scientist in school, participate in meetings and activities of the school council, act as a volunteer driver for sports events or any other activities involving students or taking place in the school, MUST have a police reference check to be able to volunteer.
The school principal can provide support with the Police Reference Check process. Here are the steps of going through the police background check for new and returning volunteers:
First time volunteers:
- Download the Instructions for the Police Reference Check. Go to the TPS Link and use the appropriate TDSB code as per the instructions.
- On the site, please ensure you’re selecting Volunteer ($26.72) as per the instructions.
- When you have received your Vulnerable Sector Check, please email it to our volunteer email. and we will also happily forward it to the school’s admin team to have you added to the list kept at the school.
Returning volunteers:
- Check in with us and the school admin every year after the reference check has been processed to give an annual offence declaration (no cost).
We need to keep a copy of your AOD on file.
We encourage all parents to undergo a Police Reference Check. This way you will be ready to volunteer whenever you have time and the right opportunity arises!
More on police reference checks for volunteers from the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Police Service.