Community & Parents

Here are some links we feel may be helpful to those in the community.

Quicklinks

Oak Park Education Foundation Tri-County Coalition Department of Human Services Sand Castles Easter Seals

Educational Resources

School Finance Research Collaborative "What does it cost to educate a child?" Application For Use of School BuildingsSpecialized Student Services

City and Employment Resources

City of Oak Park City of Southfield Michigan Works! Oak Park Career Center Oak Park Business and Education Alliance

Volunteer & Visitor Requirements & Information

Oak Park Schools greatly values our volunteers!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with OPS! Per Board Policy 7009, each volunteer must have a background check and confirmation from the building principal/designee BEFORE volunteering begins to ensure the safety of all OPS students.

To become an Oak Park volunteer, you must pick up and complete the Volunteer Background Check Acknowledgement Form and return it to the main office of the home school you are volunteering for, accompanied with a copy of the volunteer's valid driver's license or state identification card. This allows the District to conduct an ICHAT background check. 

The ICHAT background check is free. One form per adult volunteer is good for one school year and can be used for multiple buildings/events. Records will be kept strictly confidential. 

All overnight volunteers/chaperones will be contacted by LaShun Harris-Mitchell and provided with a time-sensitive CHRISS form for Live Scan fingerprinting. The CHRISS Live Scan form can be picked up at the Administration Office. The cost of the Live Scan fingerprinting is the responsibility of the volunteer.

Note: Incomplete Volunteer Background Check Acknowledgement Forms or forms submitted without valid identification will not be processed and returned back to the home school.

Volunteer – ICHAT Background Check REQUIRED 

(Board Policy 7009)

In a school building or at a school-sponsored event to assist a teacher/coach:

• Reading with students
• Making copies
• Classroom assistant
• Lunchroom assistant
• Field trip supervision
• Helping at an athletic, band, cheer or other school-sponsored event

Overnight Volunteers – CHRISS (fingerprinting) Background Check REQUIRED

Any student event that requires overnight volunteer/chaperones:

• School field trip, band, athletics, choir, club, etc.

Commitments

Every volunteer is assumed to commit to the following:

• Support a safe and caring learning environment for all; student information is confidential
• Abide by all Board of Education Policies and District Guidelines
• Report to the main office or event site to check-in upon entry/exit
• Keep cell phone silenced with usage limited to emergencies only
• No photography or recording of students

Visitors/Guests – NO background check required 

(Board Policy 6012)

Visits must be scheduled through the building principal, in advance, to avoid interference with the educational process. A visitor has brief business (5-10 minutes) with their own child or their child’s teacher, or comes into the office only (no student contact):

• Teacher/parent conferences
• Dropping off a forgotten lunch, birthday treat or change of clothes
• Administering medicine
• Students will be called to the office to complete the brief business
• Guest speakers and or Guest readers monitored by staff

When an individual is on school premises or at a school-related activity for the purpose of volunteering including, but not limited to, interacting with students, Policy 7009 – Volunteers is applicable.

The word “individual,” when used in Policy 6012, includes a student’s other relatives who are not the student’s parent or legal guardian.