Volunteers and Chaperones in APS

To ensure student safety, all non-employee workers must be screened and badged by the Security Office before working or visiting in our buildings, regardless of prior external organizational screening.

A volunteer helping an APS student

Overview & Program Definitions

Volunteers

Individuals approved by a school or site to assist without compensation.

Chaperones (Overnight Travel)

Individuals assisting with overnight, school-sponsored student trips.

Note: Chaperones are considered volunteers and must strictly follow this screening process.

Application & Background Submission Step by Step

To be completed by the Volunteer or Chaperone.
Completing the application and background check is required every year.

  • Secure Application Link

    This link will be provided by the school site. The applicant completes the online application and uploads their photos.

    • Photo Rules: No pictures of pictures are allowed, no pictures with filters are allowed, and we can not accept the picture on the ID.
  • Sterling Volunteer Registration

    Create an account and request a background check directly from the Sterling Volunteers website. Within the application process, you will receive a link and an access code. You must use that link to initiate and submit your background check process.

    Screening is required every year.

Important: Please know that nothing happens for any applicant until an approval form is submitted by the school.

Step-by-Step Procedures for School Site

Your primary responsibility is simple: Identify the correct category and provide the appropriate application link. Human Resources and/or Security will handle the backend processing.

School Site
  • Step 1 & 2: Identify and Categorize the Worker. The school or support site contact person confirms the operational need for the applicant and determines their correct role (Volunteer or Chaperone).
  • Step 3: Share the Secure Application Link. The school or site contact person provides the applicant with the secure link to apply for a Volunteer application.
  • Step 4: Complete Volunteer Approval Form. Once the applicant notifies the school/site that they have submitted their online application, uploaded their photos and completed the Sterling Volunteer background check, the school/site contact person must complete the electronic Volunteer Approval Form.
⚠️ Important: Please know that nothing happens for any applicant until an approval form is submitted. ⚠️
Badge Issuance & Security
  • Approval of Application Process: The Security Office reviews the Volunteer application, verifies the completeness of the background check results, and cross-references the school's electronic Approval Form.
  • Badge Creation: Upon clearance, the ID badge is created and printed.
  • Distribution: Badges will be delivered by APS CSOs to the requesting APS school or site.
  • Individual Begins Assignment: Once the school or site physically receives the badge, the approved individual is cleared to wear it and officially begin their assignment with Aurora Public Schools.