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Salmon Bay K-8 School / Resources / Salmon Bay Volunteer Info

Salmon Bay Volunteer Info

Important Updates to Volunteer Approval Process

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) has made changes to the Volunteer Approval process for the 2025–2026 school year. If you are a new volunteer, a returning eligible volunteer, or a returning approved volunteer, please note that new steps are required before you can begin volunteering this year.

New Volunteer Approval Process

  1. Teachers/Staff will recruit families to fill specific volunteer needs
  2. Teachers/Staff will collect responses, evaluate the number of responses and complete SPS Invite Forms for the volunteers they need.
  3. Teachers/Staff will send an Invitation email to those they completed SPS Invite Forms for.
  4. Salmon Bay Volunteer Coordinator locates their school invitees in the District Invite Log and uses the Volunteer Approval & Support Forms to process applications – this process takes approximately 10 minutes per volunteer and must be completed every 2 years.
  5. Salmon Bay Volunteer Coordinator maintains a Shared 2025/2026 Volunteer Approval Log for use by Salmon Bay Staff and Educators.

What to Expect as a Volunteer:

  • Teachers/Staff will contact you regarding specific volunteer opportunities. When you reply to recruitment emails it is important that you use your legal first and last name and if you have already completed a volunteer application, the email address you used on your application.
  • Please make sure you follow the instructions on your Invite Email carefully and as soon as possible if you have not received an Invite Email this year.
  • Proof of WA State Residency (3 Years) – As part of the approval process, the Volunteer Coordinator must verify that all volunteers have lived in Washington State for the past three years.

Acceptable proof includes:

  • A WA State-issued ID (driver’s license or state ID) that was issued more than three years ago OR
  • proof that your student has been enrolled in Seattle Public Schools for over three years.
  • If the ID you used for your Volunteer Application was issued less than three years ago, and your student has not been an SPS Student for 3 years, you will need to provide documentation showing WA residency from three years ago, such as a utility bill or a bank statement showing your name and WA address.
  • In-Person ID Check – An in-person ID check is required as part of the approval process. If you had your ID Logged at the main office last year and your Volunteer Status has remained active (Eligible) you do not need to complete this step. If you are a new Volunteer, recently became Eligible after an Expiration or did not have your ID Logged last year please Visit the Salmon Bay main office on school days between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to have your ID verified and logged.
  • Important Timing Note: Both the proof of residency and in-person ID check must be completed at least 4 school days before your volunteer date to allow enough time for processing of approval.
  • The Teacher or Staff member who invited you will be the Supervisor for your Volunteer Activity. You will need to verbally check in at the main office and sign in at our Verkada Kiosk as a Volunteer prior to heading to your assigned Volunteer position.

Volunteer vs. Visitor

  • A Volunteer is categorized as a person invited for a specific activity by staff or a classroom teacher that has completed the 2025/2026 Volunteer Approval Process. Volunteers have supervised direct contact with students. Volunteers are Supervised by the staff member or classroom teacher that invited them. Ex. classroom helper or field trip chaperone.
  • A Visitor is categorized as a person who will not have direct contact with students, has been invited by a staff member or classroom teacher and has been pre-approved by the school Principal to come in for a specific activity. Ex: Friday Sing, pre-arranged classroom presentation, or FOSB Representative hanging flyers.

*Important Notes:

  • Only Invited Approved Volunteers or Visitors that have been pre-authorized by the principal are allowed to enter classrooms (including the library), the playground, or the cafeteria during the school day.
  • Please note that Volunteers and Visitors many not bring siblings/younger children into classrooms during the school day or on field trips.

Thank you for your continued support and commitment to our school community.