Volunteer

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Durham District School Board (DDSB) encourages parents, guardians and community members to assist with school activities. Volunteers provide meaningful activities that enhance the school environment for all members of the school community.

The Volunteer Programs in Schools procedure regulates volunteer activities at DDSB schools. Volunteers may work under the direct or indirect supervision of a teacher currently assigned to that school with Principal approval.

Volunteer application

To volunteer at our school, all volunteers must follow the steps that apply to your particular situation below. Student teachers, including ECEs, must have their post-secondary liaison go through the Durham District School Board for placement procedures. 

Volunteer Requirements

New Volunteer

A new volunteer is someone who has not volunteered with our school before, or has not volunteered at Thornton within the past 12 months.

Steps Required

  1. Apply for a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) through the Durham Regional Police Service (or the police service based on your home address). You will require the volunteer letter to obtain the reduced rate. Your VSC must be dated within the past 6 months. 
  2. Once you receive your VSC clearance, complete an online Volunteer Application form. Please do NOT submit your onine application until you have received your cleared background check from DRPS. 
  3. Download, review, and sign the Volunteer Responsibilities and Confidentiality Agreement form. 
  4. Bring your VSC check and Confidentiality Agreement (items 1 and 2) to the school office. The office will process your VSC and return the original once it's processed. If your VSC has a QR code, you may forward the original email receipt from DRPS to the school's email (please do NOT send to teachers as this must be processed by the office). 
Returning Volunteer

A returning volunteer is an individual who has a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSC) on file with the school AND volunteered at the school within the past 12 months (must have completed an application and offence declaration in the previous year). Note: VSCs are valid for 5 years.

Steps Required

  1. Complete an online Volunteer Application form annually. 
  2. Download, review, and sign the annual Volunteer Responsibilities and Confidentiality Agreement form.
  3. Download, review, and sign the annual Offence Declaration.
  4. Send the signed documents (items 2 and 3) to the school office. 

Note: All of the above items (1, 2 and 3) expire on June 30 of each school year and must be completed annually - on or after September 1. 

Volunteer of Distinction Award

We appreciate the hard work and contributions of our volunteers. Every year, each DDSB school will select one person to receive the Volunteer of Distinction Award.

Eligibility

To receive this award, you must:

  • Not be a staff member of the school
  • Not have received money for the work you performed
  • Have demonstrated a commitment to the school
  • Have volunteered your time or talent to further the goal of student achievement and well-being

The recipient doesn't need to be a parent or member of the School Community Council (SCC).

Nomination

The school Principal and SCC Chair will solicit nominations from administrators, staff, parents and the School Community Council. They will then select one individual from the list of nominees to receive the Volunteer of Distinction Award