VIPS (VOLUNTEERS IN SCHOOLS)

  • Opportunities for Volunteers

    There are many opportunities for parents and community members to volunteer their time and talent. The first place to start is with your child's teacher. They may need volunteers to tutor individual students in reading or math skills, read to the class or serve as a mentor. The Harvard PTA sponsors several activities during the school year that directly benefit all of our students.

    Volunteers in Public Schools (VIPS)

    The policy of the Houston Independent School District is that all volunteers for classroom activities, chaperones for field trips, etc. must be police background checked annually. The process can take 4-6 weeks. You may start the registration process here and the second step will require you to present your current drivers license at the school office.
    Each volunteer is responsible for keeping their registration current. Background checks must be completed annually.

    All volunteers must register online. All volunteers must pass an annual criminal background check before they can participate as a volunteer. Please follow the steps below to become a VIPS:

    Step 1:

    Register online 
     

    Step 2:

    Once you have registered, you must go in person to the school of interest and show proof of identification.
    What type of identification is accepted?
    • Texas Driver’s License
    • Official Passport
    • Texas Identification Card
    • Official U. S. Military ID
    • Driver’s License (issued by any state in the U.S.)
    • Matricula Consular
    • Identification Card (issued by any state in the U.S.)
    • Resident Alien Card

    Step 3:

    Identification information will go into our database for processing by the Volunteer Coordinator at each campus.
     

    Step 4:

    The criminal history background check can take 2-3 weeks to complete.
     

    Step 5:
    Once you are CLEARED to volunteer, you are eligible to volunteer throughout HISD. 

    Our students benefit when we all volunteer!