Volunteer
All volunteers must complete a Seattle Public Schools Volunteer Application.
The application lasts two years. If you are a returning volunteer, please check your application to see if it needs to be updated.
Seattle School District Volunteer and Chaperone Screening
Update: 2022-23 School Year
In order to keep our students, staff and volunteers safe and healthy SPS has added several additional requirements to the Volunteer Application Process
- Any volunteer entering the building must have proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
- Any volunteer entering the building must sign in at the main office.
- All volunteers must complete COVID-19 safety training in the form of a video.
These updates will be included in the the SPS Volunteer Application.
2022-23 Immediate Volunteer Needs
Lunch Monitors
As a Lunch Monitor you will help supervise in the lunchroom, the garden or the field. You will work with the administrators and staff members also supervising these areas.
The time frame for lunch is Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 11:21 am to 12:51 pm. Wednesdays: 11:23 – 12:48 pm.
We ask that volunteers commit to at least one day a week.
Please contact Julia Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org for more information.
2022/2023 Eighth Grade Camp Orkila Chaperones
We invite 8th grade parents to chaperone our trip to Camp Orkila October 19-21st.
In order to volunteer for SPS you must complete a Volunteer Application through the Seattle Public Schools website before volunteering.
If you have questions about volunteering at Eckstein, please email our Volunteer Coordinator, Julia Detering at jrdetering@seattleschools.org.
The volunteer opportunities below are for in-person school only.
Ongoing volunteer opportunities at Eckstein:
Morning Safety Support
Time commitment: 15 – 20 minutes
Needed: Help manage students and traffic in the morning
Lunchtime Hall Parents: Help create a safe environment for all students by increasing the adult presence in the school building during lunches.
Time commitment: 90 minutes weekly or every other week
Needed: Four volunteers needed each day of the week
Tutors: Work one-on-one with individual students who need a little extra support to do their best work. No experience needed!
Time commitment: One hour/week or more, depending on your schedule
Needed: Many tutors are needed each day between 8:55 am and 3:45 pm.
Landscape Committee: Work with a team of volunteers in the courtyard gardens and other special landscaping projects throughout the year. Contact our PTSA Gardening Chair at garden@ecksteineaglesptsa.org
Time commitment: Flexible, depending on your availability
Needed: Many hands makes light work, so the more volunteers the better!
Staff Appreciation Events: Help with setup, serve or bring food or beverages in support of Eckstein teaches and staff on one of several staff appreciation days throughout the year. Contact our PTSA Staff Appreciation chair at appreciation@ecksteineaglesptsa.org
Time commitment: Flexible, depending on your availability
Needed: Three volunteers to help set up, many volunteers to bring food
Eckstein Annual Campaign: Be a part of the committee that coordinates the school’s primary academic fundraiser, the Eckstein Annual Campaign. Contact our PTSA Eckstein Annual Campaign at EAC@ecksteineaglesptsa.org
Time commitment: Flexible, depending on your availability
Needed: Four additional committee members needed
PTSA: Join Eckstein’s PTSA to build partnerships between families and the school. We work together so that every student can meet his or her potential. We encourage everyone to join the PTSA. The more members we have, the larger our voice. We are always looking for PTSA volunteers. This is a great way to be involved at Eckstein. In the Spring, we look for PTSA Board and Chair positions. For more information about how you can get involved with PTSA or any PTSA position, visit the PTSA page by clicking the link to the left. Contact our PTSA Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@ecksteineaglesptsa.org
Time commitment: Varies, depending on the position and your availability
Any questions about volunteering in general, contact Julia Detering at: jrdetering@seattleschools.org
How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools
Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?
- Higher grades, test scores & graduation rates
- Better attendance
- Increased motivation & self-esteem
Checklist for New Volunteers
Visit our volunteer website to:
- Review volunteer handbook
- Complete online training
- Apply securely online
- Background check required
Questions? Contact your school office or visit the SPS Volunteer page to learn more.
Additional Steps for Certain Volunteer Roles
The following volunteer roles require a national background check, regardless of how long the volunteer has resided in Washington:
- Unsupervised volunteers who work with children regularly (including remote/virtual volunteers).
- Volunteers chaperoning overnight field trips longer than three days.
- Volunteers involved in any sports or gym activities coordinated by the school (for Athletics see *).
If situations 2 or 3 apply to you, visit the volunteer website to learn more.
* Important: Athletic coaches must apply via SPS Athletics Department.
Sports Safety
All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.
Field Trips
Field trip volunteers supervise students. Once approved to volunteer, request additional forms from the field trip organizer to review and acknowledge your important responsibilities.
Keeping Students Safe
Child Abuse Prevention
Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18. Volunteers help to protect children by learning to recognize and report potential abuse.
At SPS, each volunteer completes an online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training before start of their service.
Criminal Background Check
- If you have lived in Washington State for the past three (3) years, SPS will complete your state background check at no cost to you.
- If you came to Washington from another state in the past three years, you will need to purchase a one-time national background check.
New or newly returned to the U.S.?
Visit the SPS Volunteer page for more information.
Why is there a fee for out-of-state background checks?
Unlike our state, the federal government does not provide schools with free screening tools. SPS selected a vendor to offer secure, affordable background checks for the volunteers who need them ($21 in most cases).
Frequently Asked Questions
I completed an online application last year. Do I have to reapply this year?
Your online application is on file so please do not create a new application. On your second volunteer anniversary, you will receive an email with login instructions to renew your application.
Can I use my smart phone to apply?
Our online volunteer application is smart-phone friendly.
Thank you for helping create safe schools, and for your generous donation of time and talent!