Volunteer
Volunteering at BHS

Welcome Ballard Beavers! It’s time to think about school. The Staff and Administration at Ballard HS are preparing to make this the best year for everyone. We need all of you to become Ballard Beaver Volunteers.
Volunteering is one of the best ways to create a community and support your student. These steps will tell you how to get approved through Seattle Public Schools, check your Volunteer status, and tell you about current Volunteer Opportunities!
Refer to the many different ways to volunteer and show your support for the BHS PTSA and the staff and students at Ballard High School. Thank you to all the volunteers that have supported us each school year!
If you have already completed your paperwork and are a school volunteer please refer to our Current Volunteer Opportunities for some immediate school needs. If you haven’t completed your paperwork or don’t know where to start refer to the Steps To Becoming a Volunteer instructions below on getting started. Refer to the district page on Volunteering for even more helpful information!
If you have any questions at all reach out to PSTA Volunteer Coordinator, Tanya King at volunteers.ballardhs@gmail.com
Steps To Becoming a Volunteer
Thank you again Ballard HS Families. Ballard HS has a strong sense of community and is well supported by an outstanding staff and a robust PTSA.
District Updates
How to Apply to Volunteer with Seattle Public Schools
Why Volunteer in Your Child’s School?
- Higher grades, test scores & graduation rates
- Better attendance
- Increased motivation & self-esteem
Checklist for New Volunteers
Visit our volunteer website to:
- Review volunteer handbook
- Complete online training
- Apply securely online
- Background check required
Questions? Contact your school office or visit Volunteer
Additional Steps for Certain Volunteer Roles
The following volunteer roles require a national background check, regardless of how long the volunteer has resided in Washington:
- Unsupervised volunteers who work with children regularly (including remote/virtual volunteers).
- Volunteers chaperoning overnight field trips longer than three days.
- Volunteers involved in any sports or gym activities coordinated by the school (for Athletics see *).
If situations 2 or 3 apply to you, visit the volunteer website to learn more.
* Important: Athletic coaches must apply via SPS Athletics Department.
Sports Safety
All gym and sports volunteers must be current on CPR, First Aid, Sudden Cardiac Arrest and Concussion Courses.
Field Trips
Field trip volunteers supervise students. Once approved to volunteer, request additional forms from the field trip organizer to review and acknowledge your important responsibilities.
Keeping Students Safe
Child Abuse Prevention
Nationally, one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before age 18. Volunteers help to protect children by learning to recognize and report potential abuse.
At SPS, each volunteer completes an online Sexual Misconduct Prevention training before start of their service.
Criminal Background Check
- If you have lived in Washington State for the past three (3) years, SPS will complete your state background check at no cost to you.
- If you came to Washington from another state in the past three years, you will need to purchase a one-time national background check.
New or newly returned to the U.S.?
Visit the SPS Volunteer page for more information.
Why is there a fee for out-of-state background checks?
Unlike our state, the federal government does not provide schools with free screening tools. SPS selected a vendor to offer secure, affordable background checks for the volunteers who need them ($21 in most cases).
Frequently Asked Questions
I completed an online application in 2021. Do I have to reapply this year?
Your online application is on file so please do not create a new application. On your second volunteer anniversary, you will receive an email with log-in instructions to renew your application.
Can I use my smart phone to apply?
Our online volunteer application is smart-phone friendly.
Thank you for helping create safe schools, and for your generous donation of time and talent!