Become a Volunteer

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer through the Lions Council to give your time, effort, and talents to the scholars and staff at St. Johns Classical Academy? Lions Council works with the SJCA administration to facilitate the school volunteer program. 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

In accordance with the new Florida State Statue 435.12, the SJCA Governing Board adopted a new policy on February 23, 2023, requiring a more thorough background screening for all volunteers. Level two background checks include a biometric screening in addition to what is required with level one. This is common and even required by law for those in education, healthcare, and many other employees holding positions of trust and responsibility. 

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

Screening Process:

As a NEW volunteer and/or school field trip chaperone, you are required to have a level two background check screening, effective date of 03/01/23. The information below will explain how the level two screening works (it is different and requires additional steps on your part to complete).

Step 1:

  • Register with the Lions Council via www.lionscouncil.org under the Volunteer tab.

  • The Lions Council Communications Director will review the information and confirm that the time frame for volunteering allows for time to complete screening. Once the time frame is confirmed, you will receive an email (from communications.lioncouncil@stjca.org) with instructions on how to complete the biometric screening. In this email, you will be given a link to register or call for an appointment.

Step 2:

  • Complete the electronic fingerprinting.

  • SJCA has partnered with Drs Choice First for LiveScan electronic fingerprinting. Drs Choice First is located at 4501 Irvington Ave, Jacksonville, Florida.

  • SJCA will occasionally schedule a day(s) when an agent from Drs Choice will be on campus to complete a group of electronic fingerprinting.

Once the SJCA Human Resources Director receives the screening results, you will receive a welcome email from the Lions Council volunteer program.

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.

  • Incoming Florida arrest fingerprints are searched against these retained fingerprints on file. If a fingerprint match is made on an individual, FDLE notifies the entity that the person was arrested, and provides the name of the county where the arrest occurred as well as contact information for the arresting agency. The fee for the retention of applicant fingerprints is $6 per year per applicant transaction. The retention of the fingerprints eliminates the cost of the state of Florida $24 fee since all incoming Florida arrest information is compared to the retained applicant database.

  • No. Your options are to pay for the initial scan only which will be valid for the year; OR for the initial scan plus the $24 retention fee for years 2 through 5.

  • Item descriptionBoth fees will get you a level two biometrics screening allowing you to volunteer/chaperone for the school year. However, the $85 fee will “cover you” for 5 total years. The $60 fee will only be valid for a year since the state charges fees to retain your fingerprints.

  • 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.