Volunteer Packet

Dear West Oak Lane Charter School Supporter,

Welcome to another great year at WOLCS. We are pleased that you are part of our community. We are especially thankful for your support and that of our many volunteers. If you plan to volunteer or chaperone at WOLCS again this year, or if this will be your first time, please make sure that you get the clearances that you need.

After the Penn State University sex abuse scandal, the Pennsylvania legislature passed new laws changing how Pennsylvania responds to child abuse. These changes significantly impact schools.

With the changes in the law, everyone at WOLCS who is responsible for decisions regarding the selection of school volunteers must review background checks for their prospective volunteers as part of the selection process. School Volunteers are individuals who have direct contact with WOLCS students as part of their service to the school. Field trip Chaperones and guests ARE volunteers who must provide background clearances.

The information required is as much for your safety as it is for the safety of our students. All chaperones and in-school volunteers, must complete a volunteer application packet for approval, which includes the following:

Volunteer packets along with required clearances must be submitted within the first 30-days of the school year for approval.  Applications for clearances are made directly with appropriate state agencies.  Clearances obtained this year, will be valid for 60-months.

 

You can complete an application and obtain background clearances by using links on the WOLCS website: Go to www.wolcs.org and follow the instructions listed under Background Clearances. Although clearances required for employment have related fees, once you indicate that the clearance is to be a volunteer on the application page the fees are automatically waived and you will not have to pay anything. You can also use the links below:

Additionally, anyone who has not lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years must complete an FBI clearance. This clearance requires fingerprinting. Also, unlike the state police background check, there is a required $27.50 fee. The application for the FBI clearance can be completed at: https://www.pa.cogentid.com/index_dpw.htm. If you have lived in Pennsylvania for the past 10 years, you do not have to complete the FBI background check but, you must swear or affirm in writing by signing the Volunteer Affirmation Form that you are not disqualified from service because of a conviction for any offense referenced in the law.

Offenses referenced in the Child Protective Services Law include:

Complete Application packets must be submitted to the main office by the deadline listed on the application, and must include a valid driver’s license or state photo ID with all required clearances. No Exception!