I work full-time; am I still able to volunteer?
Some organizations, including the Commonwealth of MA, have release programs which allow employees to leave time for community service. Other volunteers who do not have this option occasionally use their lunch period for volunteering. There are also opportunities for volunteering before or after work depending on your work schedule.
Is training required/provided?
All volunteers are encouraged to complete our Volunteer Orientation. Additional volunteer onboarding and training is also available at no cost to volunteers. All training information can be found at the links included above. Contact us to schedule a face-to-face session that can be held on a video conferencing platform or in person.
Can I choose the school where I want to volunteer?
Yes, whenever possible we will place volunteers in their preferred school.
Where can I volunteer?
We place volunteers in participating Springfield Public Schools.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age. However, in some cases high school students who are younger than 18 may be able to volunteer with parent permission or through a school-sponsored project.
Is there a minimum time commitment?
Time commitments vary based upon the volunteer role.
What roles do volunteers perform in the schools?
Volunteers may perform a variety of roles within the schools, such as an SSV Read Aloud volunteer or Mentor. Some other roles include but are not limited to, general classroom support, field trip chaperones, and library or office assistance or other roles requested by a school.
How do I sign up to be a volunteer?
You may sign up by visiting our forms page and downloading and submitting a Volunteer Application and CORI/SORI form along with a copy of a valid government issued ID. You will be notified once your CORI has cleared and will be contacted regarding next steps.
I already had a CORI check done. Do I need another one?
Per the Springfield Public Schools’ CORI policy, any individual serving as a volunteer in a Springfield public school must have a CORI/SORI check completed by the SPS office of Safety and Security on file with Springfield School Volunteers. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact the office of Safety and Security directly at 787-7100 Ext: 55391.
