We value and welcome family involvement in our schools! All of our schools are in need of volunteers to help support students and staff. Browse through the open opportunities below to find something you are interested in.

Please note that VISITORS ARE NOT CONSIDERED VOLUNTEERS. The following activities will not require a volunteer application:

• Having lunch with your student

• Attending class or school events, such as:

  • Holiday or classroom parties

  • Field Day

  • School assemblies or performances

  • Parent night or open house events

  • Awards ceremonies

• Attending sporting events or extracurricular activities as a spectator

• Participating in school fundraisers as a customer (e.g., purchasing from a bake sale or book fair, attending a fundraising event)

• Dropping off or picking up items for your student (e.g., forgotten lunches, school supplies, or projects)

• Attending PTO/PTA meetings or parent advisory councils

To maintain a safe and supportive environment for our students, volunteers are categorized into three levels based on their roles and level of interaction with students. The examples provided below illustrate common volunteer opportunities but are not an exhaustive list.

Level 1: Guest Volunteers

Level 1 volunteers assist on a limited basis and are always under staff supervision. Examples include:

• Classroom readers

• Classroom or school presenters/speakers

• Field Day activity assistants

• Helping Hands volunteers (sorting food and packing bags)

• Event Assistance (handling setup and takedown of decorations for special events when students are not present)

Level 2: Support Volunteers

Level 2 volunteers have more frequent involvement but do not have unsupervised access to students. Examples include:

• Band Chaperones

• One-day Field Trips

• Classroom helpers

• Outdoor garden assistants

• Lunch monitors

• Clerical support in the office or media center

• Field Experience Students

• Retired Educators that Supervise Students

• Local Bus Route Chaperones

• In-Class Tutors

Level 3: Leadership Volunteers

Level 3 volunteers may have unsupervised interaction with students and require a higher level of clearance. Examples include:

• Chaperones for overnight field trips

• Volunteers for school events where students are present, such as chaperones, event booth attendants, overseeing event activities, etc.

• Volunteer tutors

• Student club leaders

• Community coaches

• Individuals who handle and verify funds (anyone handling money or school-owned goods)

• Individuals who assist with programs that require Cogent Fingerprinting and individuals who have unsupervised interaction with students

These examples are not all-encompassing, and volunteer roles may vary based on school needs and events. If you are unsure which level applies to a specific volunteer opportunity, please contact the school for clarification.

Georgia Law O.C.G.A. § 35-3-34.2 mandates that volunteers who may have unsupervised access to children must undergo a fingerprint screening, including a query through the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) for their criminal history. 

Dalton Public Schools classify volunteers into three levels based on the duties they will perform. Each volunteer must fulfill the requirements pertinent to their designated level. 

Volunteer Approval Procedures 

1. Identify the appropriate volunteer level (refer to the classifications below). 

2. Complete the required documentation for the respective volunteer level. 

3. Submit the completed documents via the Volunteer Interest Form

4. Await approval notification from the school designee prior to commencing volunteer activities. 

For the safety of our students, parents are asked not to arrive unannounced at field trip destinations. All adult volunteers accompanying or interacting with students on field trips must be approved through the proper process as outlined below. 

Level 1 Volunteers are non-district personnel who will not have unsupervised or direct interaction with students. 

Examples: Classroom readers, high school student mentors, career day speakers with school/district personnel present at all times, outside student agency representatives with parent release. 

Level 2 Volunteers are non-district personnel who interact with students, with or without other adults present. 

Examples: Band chaperones, one-day field trip chaperones, book fair volunteers, classroom helpers, in-class tutors, field experience students, retired educators supervising students, and local bus route chaperones. 

Level 3 Volunteers are non-district personnel who will have direct, unsupervised interaction with students or who will handle or verify funds. 

Examples: Community athletic coaches, chaperones for overnight field trips, mentors, individuals handling and verifying funds, individuals assisting with programs requiring Cogent Fingerprinting, and individuals with unsupervised interaction with students.