Become a Volunteer or Chaperone a Field Trip

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer or chaperoning a field trip at SJCA? Lions Council works with the SJCA administration to facilitate the background checks necessary for parents to volunteer on campus or attend class trips. We know you have many competing responsibilities; the fact that you are willing to give of yourself is sincerely appreciated and enables us to do so much more for our school.

Background Check Information

The SJCA Governing Board adopted a new policy on February 23, 2023, in accordance with the new Florida State Statue 435.12, requiring a more thorough level two background check for all volunteers and field trip chaperones. Level two background checks include fingerprinting, which is common and even required by law for those in education, healthcare, and many other employees holding positions of trust and responsibility. You'll find the steps to complete below.

Step 2:

  • Pay the fee.

    • $85 for a 5-year clearance -OR- $60 for a one-year clearance

    • $15 for a volunteer t-shirt (optional)

Step 3:

  • Receive an email with instructions to make an appt with our fingerprinting vendor in Jacksonville.

Step 4:

  • Go to your appt with your emailed receipt and ID, and get fingerprinted.

Step 5:

  • Receive an email of approval or denial.

Step 6:

  • If approved, you'll receive an invitation to PBoard, where volunteer opportunities are listed.

The process can take up to three weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact chairman.lioncouncil@stjca.org or communications.lioncouncil@stjca.org

FAQ’s

    • Volunteers/chaperones on campus when scholars are present

    • Coaches outside of school hours when scholars are present

    • Class chaperones off-site (field trips)

  • No, you still need to go through the school’s fingerprinting process. Each business entity is required to track individuals with unique ORI numbers which are not shared among businesses.

  • You can choose to pay $85 for a five-year clearance or $60 for a one-year clearance. If you choose the five-year option, your $85 fee covers an annual retention fee, which the Lions Council will pay on your behalf.

  • Item descriptionThe process is fast. You should not need more than 30 minutes to complete it. Just bring a government issued photo ID, and the ORI code provided to you by Lions Council.

  • There are scholarship opportunities for those who are in need. Please contact Headmaster Johnson or the Chairman of The Lions Council to discuss your situation.

  • No. A driver’s license scan through the RAPTOR system is not a complete background check and does not qualify you to volunteer or chaperone. These scans are still used by the school, but will not be sufficient for chaperoning. You will need to apply for the Level 2 screening. If you are unsure, please contact communications.lioncouncil@stjca.org.

  • After your volunteer application is approved, you will be added to the volunteer group in PT Board.

    We will be using PTBoard for volunteer opportunities.

    Please be sure to check your email and/or the “Volunteers” PTBoard group at least once a week if you are interested in helping on campus.

  • The Lions Council facilitates the fingerprinting process for SJCA and collects contact information and payment. However, the Lions Council does not have access to any information provided by your fingerprinting session. Only the SJCA administration receives this confidential information from the state.

  • You aren't required to buy a t-shirt. However, if you volunteer on campus, you're required to wear the t-shirt or use a volunteer smock that's available for free. The t-shirt or smock helps staff and security recognize you as an approved presence on campus.