Volunteering is an amazing way to get involved with the school staff, other parents and your children! There are opportunities to fit every schedule, and every little bit of help means the world to us; we are YOU and can’t do it without all of our amazing volunteers!
Please consider giving your time, attention, or attendance to one of our events! Dedicating your time to just one event a year is also great way to meet other parents and become more involved with your student, their teachers, friends and their school lives. We can't explain how excited the kids are to see their family at school in their everyday environment.
If you'd like to take a more active role in the PTA, please visit our volunteer sign-up page below for all current opportunities or email us about joining a committee at: southgatepta290@gmail.com.
Visiting The School
When visiting Southgate Elementary to volunteer for PTA during school hours, please report directly to the office. First time visitors will need their ID for the school to scan. All visitors will need to obtain a visitor's badge that must be displayed prominently on their person at all times and returned to the office at the end of their volunteer activities to complete check-out.
*If a PTA event is being held during school hours, that event will require a background check. You must obtain a background check specifically through Anne Arundel County Public Schools; your government or sports background check will not suffice.
Per district policy, all volunteers must register with Anne Arundel County Public Schools and pass a commercial background check in order to volunteer in classrooms, school events such as field day and on external events like field trips.
*Persons without personal computer access may access this process on a school computer or use computers in a public library.
To use a school computer, please contact the front office at Southgate Elementary School.
If you would like to volunteer directly with the school, please reach out to Carol Zeichner at southgatevolunteers@gmail.com.
*Please note - after school events for PTA are not required to have a background check.
100% FREE
Will be notified only if you don’t pass.
Takes up to 3 weeks to process. ScreenID will not verify your status, please check with front office staff for any questions or updates.
If you are applying for the Fingerprint Supported Background Check, you DO NOT need to complete this option.
This background check is required if you volunteer during school hours.
Fingerprint-supported background checks must be scheduled through the Fingerprinting Office at 410-222-5045.
The cost is $63.00 and includes the commercial background check.
Fingerprint-supported background checks for chaperones should be completed at least 3 weeks prior to the scheduled event.
All questions about this process or your results should be directed to the Office of Investigations at 410-222-5287.
Your pink fingerprint verification card should be kept with you while on school grounds and must be displayed to an administrator upon request.
Sexual Harrassment /Child Abuse Video Viewing Requirement
(required yearly)
(required yearly)
Sexual Harrassment/Child Abuse Video Verification Form
(required yearly)
(required yearly)
Volunteer_Video_Verification_Form.pdfENGLISH
Please complete and return to the front office staff.
Volunteer_Video_Verification_Form_Spanish.pdfSPANISH
Por favor complete y devuélvalo al personal de la oficina principal.