Volunteering

Stay connected with Onahan and be a volunteer!

If you are interested in participating in school activities, such as field trips or classroom parties, you will need to apply to be a volunteer through the Chicago Public School Application Process. It is highly recommended that you complete Level 1 so that you are completely covered for all events. For example, when homerooms go on a field trip, a parent needs to have a Level 1 status to monitor a small group without a CPS staff member present.

Volunteer approval is valid for one school year. Volunteers who plan to return for the following school year must log in to their volunteer online account as a returning volunteer on or after July 1 to renew their application.

Become a CPS Volunteer

Levels of Volunteers

Level I

Level I is the highest level of volunteering. As part of the application process, you will receive an email asking you to complete a background check, submit TB test results that are less than two years old, and complete the mandatory training online. CPS will cover the cost of the background check, which can take up to 30 business days to clear. CPS does not cover the cost of the TB test.

Examples of Level I Volunteer Activities

Overnight field trip chaperones
Mentors
Tutors
Coaches
Non-supervised classroom assistants
Non-supervised day field trip chaperones (taking a group of students away from the line of sight of CPS employees)

Level II

Level II is the basic volunteer level. Level II volunteers must remain within the line of sight of a full-time employee at all times and cannot exceed the number of hours allowed per week. Prospective volunteers are checked through a registry name check and cleared within 72 hours of the school’s approval.

Examples of Level II Volunteer Activities

Supervised day field trip chaperones (must be within the line of sight of a CPS employee at all times)
Assistants in schools with administrative duties
Other volunteer activities in contact with students while supervise