Become a Volunteer
We want to create a space at Ericson Elementary School where our whole community can feel welcome and connected, while supporting the teachers and staff that encourage and educate our children every day. Start today by filling out the Volunteer Connection Form and our Volunteer Committee will ensure you find your place to engage with your Viking in a meaningful way.
Join us for an hour or find your place to connect all year. We have lots of opportunities to connect on campus or support from home, any amount of time helps.
Schoolwide Events
School Functions
Clubs & Activities
Classrooms
Friends of Ericson
Find out more about each of these opportunities below and visit our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section at the bottom.
SCHOOLWIDE EVENTS
Volunteer Opportunities
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Help design and construct the haunted house before the event.
On the day of the event, help set up booths, sell glow items, cookies, drinks, or one of the many other opportunities.
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During school or after school. Run the cash registers, greet young shoppers at the door, or help with set up and break down.
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This annual event raises money for a variety of student- and teacher-driven causes.
Before the event: copy and assemble packets and distribute prizes during school hours to students. Solicit donations in the community from home.
Day of: hand out snacks and water to runners, take photos or set/clean up.
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This annual event features the different foods, artwork, songs/dances, and dress of Ericson’s multicultural community!
Volunteers can be part of the event planning, participate in representing their culture, or help with the logistics (set up, breakdown).
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We love our teachers and staff!
Decorate doors and the staff lounge, set up treats and meals, or dress up for the snack cart. We welcome your ideas and creativity!
SCHOOL FUNCTIONS
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Volunteer, or be hired into a paid position, to monitor the children at lunchtime. If you tick this box, your contact details will be shared with administration for further information.
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Shelving books, repairing broken books, organization, etc., during school hours on days when the librarian is present.
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Assist the Viking Squad students in the parking lot in the morning before school. Direct students as they are dropped off from their cars.
SCHOOL CLUBS & ACTIVITIES
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Painting, gardening, small projects, moving furniture, and organizing.
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Help design and distribute the yearbook. Helped needed with administrative work for parent Permissions.
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Do you love Science, Technology, Engineering, Art or Math? Help out during or after school, design experiments or teach STEAM to our students.
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After school activity. Volunteers can help decorate the stage, and help during the rehearsals/event with costume changes.
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After school activity. Volunteers can help teach the game of chess.
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Plant produce, maintain the gardens, or develop and participate in educational activities with each grade level. Volunteers can participate during school, after school, or from home.
CLASSROOM
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Share information about upcoming events in your class chat or via email, help with teacher appreciation, coordinate supply/party material requests, organize volunteers for classroom events, etc.
At the discretion of the teacher
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In-classroom: special events, bathroom runner for TK classes, etc.
At-home: cutting shapes, assembling packets, etc.
At the discretion of the teacher
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Help occasionally with small tasks, such as, signage, copies, etc. Typically during school hours.
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Help solicit donations from local businesses for our Fall Festival and Jog-a-Thon.
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This year we are looking for a new secretary (take notes during meetings, help with communication) and anyone who wants to be involved in leadership (planning events, Fundraising, etc.).
FRIENDS OF ERICSON
Support
Can’t volunteer your time but still want to support Ericson? Check out these ways that you can help fund all the activities and create engaging events.
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Join us at our monthly Spirit Nights to support Ericson and our Local Businesses! Check out our Events Page to see what’s coming up.
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Want to support Ericson and promote your business on social media, on-campus events, t-shirts and more? Send us an email at partner@friendsoferison.org and we will connect you with opportunities.
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Make your donation go even further by checking with your company for their corporate matching program. Friends of Ericson is a registered non-profit, Tax ID: 33-0398793
Volunteer FAQs
I completed the Volunteer Connection Form last year. Do I need to complete it again?
Yes. Our needs change every year, and this form puts you on this year's clearance record.
I completed this packet last year. Do I need to complete it again?
Yes — the School Volunteer Application and Code of Conduct forms must be completed every school year. TB clearance is valid for 3 years, so you only need to resubmit that if yours has expired.
I submitted my documents to the front office. Why doesn't my child's teacher see me on the cleared list?
I completed a Live Scan for another organization (soccer coaching, etc.), does that count
You also need to complete the electronic Volunteer Connection Form — without it, your clearance can't sync to the shared record. Updates are processed by a volunteer and can take up to two weeks to appear.
Who do I contact for more information?
What do I write under “Employee Name” & “Employee ID”?
Who can complete the TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire?
TB RISK ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
How do I complete the Mandated Reporter Training?
Write your name, and "N/A" for the ID field.
How do I complete the history and screening questions?
Any health care provider can complete it — you're not limited to the school nurse. You can take it to your doctor's office and have it signed by a physician or nurse there. It must be signed within 6 months of the date you submit it to the office.
The form says to return it to the Human Resources Division. Do I need to send it there?
Do all chaperones going on field trips need to have completed a Live Scan as a Category D volunteer?
I was a Category D volunteer at a different school last year, does that count?
How often do I need to renew my Live Scan?
Fill out the questionnaire on your own, then have a health care provider sign it — either the school nurse or your own doctor's office. If using the school nurse, check the green NURSE HOURS sign in the office, or call 619-605-1600 for availability. We can't guarantee appointments, and students needing care take priority.
No — please disregard that instruction printed on the form. It's written for district employees, not school volunteers. Submit your completed form to the Ericson front office.
MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING - NEW FOR CATEGORY C & D
Refer to the attached job aid. This is required every year for all Category C and D volunteers, due to a new California law.
FIELD TRIPS
Where can I complete a Live Scan?
No, some field trips do not require the chaperone to separate with students from their teacher. These chaperones can be Category B volunteers, who do not require a Live Scan. However, many of our field trips require chaperones who can be left alone with students. These chaperones must be Category D and require a Live Scan. Check with your teacher.
LIVE SCANS
What if I missed my discounted Live Scan appointment on the Ericson Sign Up?
No. Live Scans are tied to the requesting agency and cannot be transferred — you need one specifically for SDUSD.
If the school you volunteered at was within SDUSD, you can select “Returning Category D Volunteer” on your Request to Conduct Volunteer Screening and you do not need to submit another Live Scan.
Currently, the district only requires volunteers to resubmit their application with the Request to Conduct Volunteer Screening every year to stay active. Live Scans do not need to be repeated unless a volunteer lapses for a year or more, or moves out of the district. Returning Category D volunteers need to select “Returning Category D Volunteer” on their form.
Friends of Ericson is hosting on-site Live Scans for volunteers in August-September, limited to the first 100 volunteers — sign up by clicking here. The regular cost is $69; Friends of Ericson is covering $34 for those 100 spots, bringing your cost to $35.
If you'd rather use a different location, we recommend UPS at 6755 Mira Mesa Blvd — they process both DOJ and FBI databases and offer a small SDUSD discount. If you choose another location instead, confirm they process both DOJ and FBI databases. Bring the attached Request for Live Scan Service form to your appointment — the location will write your ATI number on it.
Unfortunately, these Live Scans are coordinated and performed by parent volunteers and cannot be made up. We will only offer 100 spots, if they do not fill, or if volunteers miss them, we will not offer make ups.