Volunteering

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The opportunities for volunteering at St. John School are vast and varied.  Your enthusiastic volunteerism enables us to keep operating costs low and fundraisers successful.  While we do not require a minimum number of volunteer hours, we do ask parents to strive towards the yearly goal of 40 hours per two-parent family and 20 hours per one-parent family. 

Volunteering is also a way for parents to become a part of their student’s school life and get to know the teachers, staff, and other parents.  We hope you’ll choose activities and events that are interesting to you, fit within your schedule, and reflect the current priorities and needs of St. John School. We welcome grandparents, extended family, parishioners, neighbors and special friends of St. John to volunteer as well.

Our major push for scheduling volunteers is in September, at the beginning of the school year. Throughout the year, volunteering opportunities are shared through the Parent Association and in NewsViews. If you have questions or would like to volunteer in St. John’s athletic program, Hot Lunch program or Parent Association, please contact:

CYO Athletics Jonna Skokan, Director of Athletics
Hot Lunch David Benefiel, Assistant Chef and Volunteer Coordinator
Parent Association Rachael Groark and Maile Sullivan, Co-Chairs

Background checks and yearly Archdiocese-sponsored Safe Environment Program training (or online updating), are mandatory. Sheila Marty at the Parish office is happy to answer your questions about the Safe Environment Program training and background checks. Please contact her at 206-782-2810 or smarty@stjohnsea.org. Some volunteer positions have additional requirements; please see below.

All Volunteers – Safe Environment Training

All volunteers must complete the Safe Environment Training and a background check. To start the process, you will need to take the initial Safe Environment Training class; sign up on the Virtus Online website. When you register on the Virtus website, you will be asked to run your own background check through the TRAK 1 system. Note: when creating your account, select “Seattle, WA (Archdiocese),” from the first drop-down list of organizations. Later in the process, you will be able to select “St. John School” as your specific organization. The last step is to read the pamphlets and sign the Personnel Agreement form, which are on the Virtus website and can be read and signed electronically. If you have completed all of the steps above, you only have to do an online update every three years to stay up to date. If you have any questions, please contact Sheila Marty in the Parish Office.

CYO Athletics – PLACT Coaches Training and Parent Like a Champion Workshop

Coaches     In addition to Safe Environment, all volunteers who will be coaching any CYO sport are required to take the Play Like A Champion Today (PLACT) Coaches Training unless this is their first season coaching in CYO Athletics. Coaches are given a season of grace if this is their first season coaching, but CYO recommends taking the training before you start coaching. Note: There is a required Pre-Course that needs to be completed at least 12 hours before the virtual training. You will receive a link to the online pre-course after you register for this training. You MUST complete the pre-course before attending the virtual training or you will not receive credit. Volunteer coaches do not have to take the Parent Like a Champion workshop. PLACT Coaches Training will be offered in the Fall. When it is available, registration can be found at TeamSideline.

Parents     Parents who are not coaches are required to attend a Parent Like a Champion workshop (only one parent needs to attend). The workshop is offered virtually via Zoom and must be completed prior to registering a child for an upcoming sports season. Note:  coaches who have already completed the PLACT Coaches Training program are not required to also attend a Parent Like A Champion workshop. Therefore, if a parent/guardian would prefer to complete the PLACT Coaches Training rather than complete the Parent Workshop (in anticipation of coaching at some point in the future), this is an acceptable alternative. Parent Like a Champion workshop will be offered in the Fall. When it is available, registration can be found at TeamSideline.

Crispin’s Kitchen – Food Worker Card

In addition to Safe Environment, all kitchen volunteers are required to have a current Food Worker card on file.

Please watch for NewsViews or Classroom Parent emails for more opportunities to see job descriptions and time requirements for each volunteer activity.