Visitors, Volunteers, and Observers

Visiting, Volunteering, and Observing

Ukiah Unified School District believes educating the community’s students is a shared responsibility between parents/guardians and District staff. When parents/guardians and community members actively support and engage with the District, the student learning experience is more robust. The importance of education is reinforced to students through the presence and participation of volunteers.

Here’s how to determine if you are a volunteer, visitor, or observer.

Visitors

Visitors are parents/guardians, family, friends, and community members attending a scheduled event or meeting or accessing campus beyond the Office for a limited time and specific purpose. Examples:

• Schoolwide Assembly during school hours
• Student Performances/Presentations open to the public and during school hours

Visitors must sign in and out at the Office and display a Visitor’s Badge for their visit. 

Background checks are not required.

Requests for regular or prolonged visits are not allowed as they disrupt the learning environment for your child and the other students.

Board Policy 1250

Volunteers

Volunteers are parents, family members, or community members who will be spending time (more than 30 minutes) in the presence of students consistently and regularly. Example activities include, but are not limited to:

• Classroom assistants
• Lunchroom support
• Playground monitors
• Overnight field-trip chaperones*
• Drivers of students to athletic events or field trips*

Volunteers assist teachers and/or support staff in performing their nonteaching duties and under their supervision. 

* Volunteers who will be supervising students without direct staff supervision are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training, including those who drive students in their private vehicles. Drivers must also submit to a DMV records pull and complete a Private Use of Vehicle form.

Volunteers require background checks. See Live Scan Fingerprint Instructions below.

Board Policy 1240

Observers

Observers are parents who spend a limited amount of time (up to 30 minutes) observing (not interacting with their child, the teacher, or other children) their child’s teacher, classroom, playground, or different single location. Observers must submit a request in advance and receive approval before observing at the school. Upon arrival, Observers must sign in at the Office and follow the guidance of office staff. Observations are not permitted to disrupt instructional services or students’ learning experiences. Parents can also review instructional material upon request and scheduling. 

Background checks are not required.

Requests for regular or prolonged observations are not allowed as they become disruptive to the learning environment for your child and the other students in the classroom. If a condition or concern exists that merits regular or ongoing observations, speak with your school’s principal so that they can understand the situation and best support your needs.

Regulation 5020 and Educational Code Section 51101

Requirements

California State Law and Education Code requires all volunteers to submit to fingerprinting and pass a criminal background to ensure the safety of students.

We recognize this requirement is inconvenient, but please don’t let it deter you from volunteering. The District has invested in LiveScan equipment and training to provide convenient fingerprinting at the District Service at no cost to volunteers.

Visitors and Observers are not required to be vetted with a background check. Signing in and out at the Office are essential safety measures. In an emergency, administrators and first responders need to know who is on campus so they can be accounted for if an emergency response is necessary.

Volunteer Responsibilities Agreement

Volunteers/Chaperones are expected to understand and comply with our Volunteer Responsibilities Agreement.

Restrictions and Opportunities

California State Law, Education Code, and Ukiah Unified School District Board Policy prioritize all students’ privacy, safety, and security, along with the right for all students to have a positive learning experience without undue distractions or disruptions from observers and visitors. Policy, Code, and Law provide ample opportunity to observe and visit without being a distraction or negatively impacting the privacy of others. Other options for engagement include:

• Meeting with your child’s teacher or principal
• Volunteering in your school
• Joining a parent advisory committee
• Attending Open Houses
• Engaging in Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Joining a Parent Teacher Association/Organization (PTA/O)
• Joining an English Language Learner Committee
• Attending plays, performances, athletic events, and extracurricular activities that are open to the public

Whether you are a Volunteer, Observer, Visitor, or all three – we’re excited to have you engaged with our students and staff. Thank you for understanding the need to have safeguards in place and for helping us maintain a focused learning environment for our students!

The Ukiah Unified School District offers Live Scan Fingerprinting services by appointment only. Please call the Human Resources Department to schedule an appointment at 707-472-5030. Bring a current, valid, unexpired photo ID.

Acceptable primary photo IDs include:

• California Driver’s License

• DMV Identification Card

• Out-of-State Driver’s License

If you do not have one of the above, a Live Scan Operator may accept secondary ID, with supplemental documents. Secondary forms of ID (must be supported by at least 2 supplemental documents):

• State-issued birth certificate

• U.S. Military ID (Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist, 000 10-2)

• U.S. Passport

• Federal Government PIV card

• Department of Defense Common Access Card

• U.S. Tribal or Bureau of Indian Affairs ID card

• Social Security Card

• Court Order (name change, gender change, adoption, divorce)

• Marriage Certificate (government-issued)

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad

• Foreign Passport with immigration documents

• Certificate of Citizenship (N560)

• Certificate of Naturalization (N550)

• INS I-551 Resident Alien Card (since 1997)

• INS I-688 Temporary Resident ID Card

• INS I-688B or I-766 Employment Authorization Card

Supplemental documents (must present at least 2 if using secondary ID):

• Utility bill (address)

• Voter Registration Card

• Vehicle Registration Card/Title

• Paycheck stub with name/address

• Public Assistance Card

• Spouse/Parent affidavit

• Canceled check or bank statement

• Mortgage documents

After Your Appointment

• Fingerprint clearance usually takes 1–3 days, though delays may occur.

• You will be notified as soon as clearance is received.

• Keep a copy of your completed Live Scan form for your records.

• Overnight field trip chaperones
• Volunteers who transport students
• Mentors, or activity leaders working directly with students
• Volunteers assigned responsibility for supervising student groups