Parent Volunteer

Planning to volunteer this upcoming school year?

Mark your calendars!

We are hosting a fingerprinting event for Level 1 Volunteer applicants on August 20th, 2026, from 12:00pm to 3:00pm at Gray.

Please keep in mind that fingerprinting is just one step in the Level 1 application process.

Important Reminder: All volunteers (both Level 1 and Level 2) must recertify at the start of every school year.

We will share full, updated volunteer details this August 2026.

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We greatly appreciate and are always in need of parent volunteers to support our student field trips. CPS Policy requires a ratio of 1 adult volunteer for every 10 students (1:10) on field trips.

Volunteer Level Requirement:

Level I (Preferred): Volunteers who have completed the comprehensive background check are strongly preferred, as they allow for greater flexibility in assisting students.

Level II (Needed): Volunteers who have completed the initial background check are also needed and valued.

Next Steps to Volunteer:

Review the Official CPS Volunteer Policy: Please see the CPS Volunteer Information linked below for details on the two volunteer levels (Level I and Level II) and the required background check process.

Contact Your Child's Teacher: If you are a cleared CPS volunteer or thinking about becoming an approved volunteer, please connect with your child's teacher to determine if your assistance is needed for an upcoming field trip.

More information can be found here

As we prepare for the new school year, please be aware that all volunteers are removed from the system at the end of June. If you would like to continue volunteering for field trips or other school activities, you will need to reapply when classes begin in August.

CPS requires all volunteers be approved prior to chaperoning fieldtrips or participating in school activities. It is recommended that potential chaperones begin the process a month before of a scheduled field trip or a school event.

Please Note:

To be approved, you must reapply each school year.
Your application is only complete if you select Gray Elementary.
A fingerprint criminal background check is not required for Level II Volunteers.

For questions about your application or volunteer opportunities, please email [email protected] or call 773-553-1544.

START APPLICATION HERE

NEW VOLUNTEERS

Follow these steps to create a NEW application for the school year.

1. You must create an account.

2. Log in.

3. Under the "APPLICATION" tab select "ADD NEW APPLICATION"

(Enter the volunteer level and personal information).

4. After submitting your application, please take your picture ID to the office in the Primary Building (Door #1) so it can be submitted and ...

• Level I volunteers

Volunteer will received an email that outlines the next steps. This includes: Fingerprinting, Background Check, SafeSchools training, TB test (which must be updated every two years.)

• Level II volunteers

Make sure to check email as well as status in account. This school year, completing the online Level II training is mandatory for all volunteers to receive approval. The training takes just 20 minutes.

EXISTING VOLUNTEERS - MUST reapply every school year

To renew volunteer application, the existing volunteer must do this process on or after July 1st. Do not submit before July.

Follow these steps to RENEW application for the new school year.

1. Login to the online account as current volunteers.

2. Under the "APPLICATION" tab select "ADD NEW APPLICATION"

Volunteers will be able to confirm or change their personal information, volunteer level and choice of school (do not forget to select your school of choice; if this step is skipped, schools will not be able to see the volunteer application.)

3. After submitting your application, please take your picture ID to the office in the Primary Building (Door #1) so it can be submitted and ...

• Level I volunteers

Volunteer will received an email that outlines the next steps. This includes: Fingerprinting, Background Check, SafeSchools training, TB test (which must be updated every two years.)

• Level II volunteers

Make sure to check email as well as status in account. This school year, completing the online Level II training is mandatory for all volunteers to receive approval. The training takes just 20 minutes.

Any questions please contact Ms. Martinez in the Primary Office - Door #1.