“When schools and families work together to support learning children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more” ~Ann Henderson & Karen Mapp
St. Joseph School Volunteer Program Overview 2022-2023
Welcome to the 2022-23 school year with St. Joseph School! We are so glad you’re here and encourage you get involved in our many church and school activities designed to build community and help our school thrive.
Volunteers are an integral part of our school and have many roles including daily scheduled activities, event planning/participation and more. Most school events are run through the Home & School Association (HSA). A home & school association is a formal organization composed of parents, teachers and staff that is intended to facilitate parental participation in a school. St. Joseph School’s Home & School Association focuses on Student Enrichment, Community Building and Fundraising. Preschool thru 8th grade families are asked to help us reach our fundraising goals, grow in community while working alongside each other and helping ensure that all our great events and traditions continue to grow each year.
For the 2022-2023 school year: The school will be charging Home &School dues ($25 per student in PK-8), a volunteer fee ($180 per K-8 family) and requiring a 15 hours of volunteer time for K-8 families. We encourage volunteer participation in ways that fit your availability and capacity during this time of pandemic. The Volunteer Interest Sheet will help the HSA determine which events have family volunteer support. Various volunteer opportunities will also be available for sign up online throughout the year. Volunteering on the playground as a recess monitor is an everyday need we have at our school. Students go outside every day, year round (with some weather restrictions) for recess and we are grateful for our midday volunteers who fill a vital role for our teachers and staff.
Please visit: 2022-2023 Volunteer Interest Form to indicate volunteer interest.
Our Home & School events are an integral part of who we are as a school community, we encourage families to help us keep the spirit of those traditions active this year. As the year progresses, we will adjust as the situation allows, rescheduling or changing formats. Please visit our Groups and Associations page on the website for more detailed information about events and volunteer position descriptions.
Track It Forward Instructions 2022-23
Virtus
The Archdiocese of St. Paul/Minneapolis requires all volunteers to complete the “Essential 3”. The “Essential 3” are attendance at a live Virtus session, a completed background check, and a signed code of conduct.
Virtus Sessions: Attendance at a Virtus session is a one-time, 3 hour requirement. However, due to the pandemic, the class is held online. If you are new to our school/parish and have already attended a session at another parish, please provide us with the location and approximate date you attended. For more information or to register for a VIRTUS session please go to www.virtus.org. Once attendance at a Virtus session is documented, all volunteers need to complete a simple background check and sign the volunteers code of conduct.
Background Check: All volunteers need to have a background check. For new volunteers, a simple background check will be requested after you have completed your one-time Virtus Session.
Signed Code of Conduct: The Code of Conduct form needs to be updated by volunteers each year that he or she volunteers in the school or parish. We update our Code of Conduct forms in the fall or as needed.
VIRTUS Account Registration Guide 2021
123B Consent Form
Volunteer Application
Re-Credentialing Guide
How to Report Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Brochure
Promise to Protect Pledge to Heal Brochure
Archdiocesan Victim Assistance Hotline Information
Sign Up Genius
Many of our SJS events use Sign Up Genius to schedule volunteers.
School Day Volunteer Opportunities
Please see the St. Joseph School Home & School Association Quick List of Events for many volunteer opportunities!
Playground (Lunch Hour—11:00am – 12:35pm)
Volunteers are needed each school day for the recess periods grades K-8. Volunteers help the assigned staff person supervise the playground.
Visit All School K-8th 2022-2023: Cafeteria & Playground Volunteers (signupgenius.com)
Cafeteria Duty (Lunch Hour – 10:40AM – 12:15PM)
Volunteers are scheduled to help serve condiments during the noon meal. Volunteers also help with clean up such as wiping tables after students leave the cafeteria. Your schedule is determined by the preferences you indicate on the fall sign up form and through contact with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Library Reader–TBD
A parent from each kindergarten and first grade family is given an opportunity to read to students during their library period. Parents are contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator through email or phone to arrange a reading time.
Volunteers present a themed collection to classes during the month of January. Please see the flyer for details.
Field Trip Chaperones
When scheduled, field trips are arranged by teachers and the school office. Parent chaperones are contacted by the Volunteer Coordinator through email or by phone. Chaperones are chosen by lottery.
Other Gifts and Talents
Any talent or service that you can offer, please give the school a call and we’ll see what we can work out!
Home and School Volunteer Opportunities
There are many opportunities for families to volunteer for Home and School events throughout the year. Please contact the school for more information.
Attend Home & School Association meetings (September, November, January, March, May)
Fall Family Fun Night
Grandparents Day
Catholic Schools Raffle
Catholic Schools Week
Annual Gala
Spring Family Fun Night
Field Day
8th Grade Graduation
Year-End Staff Appreciation Event
Contact
For questions about volunteering at St. Joseph School, please contact our Volunteer and Safe Environment Coordinator, Shelby Pogatchnik.
Email: shelby.pogatchnik@stjosephcommunity.org