Volunteer

• Q: If I am already cleared for one school, do I need to apply again for a different school?
  A: No, once you are cleared as a volunteer for one school within the South Kitsap School District, you do not need to apply again for other schools. Your approval is valid for all schools in the district.
• Q: Can I submit an application at my student's school?
  A: Absolutely! You can find applications at all school offices, the district office, and online on our website.
• Q: Can I email my application?
  A: Yes, you can! Please send it to the District Support Specialist. Be sure to include a copy of your ID and ensure the application is fully completed and signed.
• Q: I was previously cleared by a different school district; will my background check and application count here?
  A: Unfortunately, background checks and applications are specific to each district. You’ll need to complete both a new background check and application for our district, even if you’ve been cleared or applied elsewhere.
• Q: Is there a cost for my application and background check?
  A: Nope! There’s no cost for your application or background check.

The Senior Tax Exchange Program will be operating in the 2026-2027 school year.

South Kitsap School District's Senior Tax Exchange Program offers qualifying residents an opportunity to receive a tax break on their local school taxes in exchange for their time and skills helping within the South Kitsap School District. The program was created in response to concerns of local citizens who are living on fixed incomes and are experiencing rising property taxes. The program also offers more opportunities to increase the contributions of senior citizens in public schools. This program will be advertised in the late fall of 2026 and program participants will serve in the schools January-June 2027.

To qualify for the program, residents must meet all of the following criteria:

• must be 61 years of age or older;
• own and reside in their own home within the SKSD boundaries;
• receive Social Security or retirement income;
• have a gross household annual income of $65,000 or less.

Participating residents can provide their skills (valued at the current hourly Washington State minimum wage) to SKSD up to but not to exceed the resident's annual local school tax bill. The annual total may not exceed $430 per household. Participants will receive a two-party check payable to themselves and the Kitsap County Treasurer in time for the April and/or October collection deadlines. A minimum time donation is 20 hours and will be served between January and June 2027.

Please note that application to this program does not guarantee acceptance. The applicant must successfully clear a Washington State Patrol background check to participate in the STEP program.

Please reach out to millera@skschools.org or call 360-874-7005 for an application.

Kitsap County offers another option for tax relief and information is available on the Assessor's website.

South Kitsap Schools are inviting dads to come back to school and get involved through a national program called WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students). This father involvement initiative of the National Center for Fathering organizes fathers and father figures to provide positive male role models for the students and to enhance school security.

Watch Dogs are fathers, grandfathers, step-fathers, uncles, and other father figures who volunteer to serve at least one day each year in a variety of school activities.

For more information on this program visit fathers.com | Faithful Resources for Dads contact your school's volunteer coordinator, or PTA/SA for more information.

The Wolves On Watch (WOW) program is made up of dedicated volunteers who help support a safe and welcoming environment at South Kitsap High School. Team members assist by:

• Monitoring school entrances
• Greeting and directing visitors and late-arriving students
• Providing positive interactions with students, staff, and guests

Shift Times:
Monday–Friday, between 7:15 AM and 2:45 PM
(Volunteers can choose dates and times that work for them.)

Location:
Volunteers will be stationed at the SKHS main entrance and should in at the main office for each shift.

How to Join the W.O.W. Team:

1. Complete the Volunteer Paperwork.
   It is available linked above and in person at the SKSD Administration Office and SKHS Main Office.
2. Already Approved?
   If you're already an approved volunteer, or once your paperwork is processed, please email Jana Vaca (Main Office Receptionist) at vaca@skschools.org to be added to the W.O.W. Team roster.

Need More Information?
For any questions or to learn more, feel free to contact:

• Security Officer Jerry Bigler at 360-900-8275 (Available Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–1:00 PM)
• Security Officer Lee LaDeaux at 360-874-5796

Big Brothers Big Sisters is starting operations in Kitsap County. 

• Visit the bbbs website to learn more

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

To provide a safe environment for our students and staff, District policy requires all volunteers to complete a Washington State Patrol background check. Any of our office staff are available to help you with the application.  Volunteer applications will be sent to our district office to be processed.  You will be notified by our district office once the application has been cleared. 
It is quick, confidential, and done at no cost to you. If a background check has been done at another South Kitsap school, it is not necessary to repeat the process. Let us know at which school your back-ground check was done, and we will contact that school for a copy. You will not be able to start volunteering in this building, until the results of the background check have been received here. It is, therefore, helpful if you begin the process as soon as possible.

GETTING STARTED

Once your clearance is on file, you may begin volunteering. If you would like to work in your child’s classroom, please contact that teacher directly. Teachers will also need parents for special occasions, such as parties and field trips. The teacher will let you know when these opportunities occur.

Unfortunately, due to our limited capacity, we are not able to accommodate volunteers with younger children on site. This is for the safety of your younger children and our learning environment. However, there are some volunteer jobs that can be worked on at home. You may inquire with your student’s teacher or the volunteer coordinator to find the best fit for you.

ARRIVING AT SCHOOL

Volunteers should park in the main lots. Please do not park in the bus lanes during the school day. All volunteers and visitors are required to check in, by signing-in on the clipboard, located at the small table in the front office. Please indicate the date and time of your arrival, your destination or project, and the time of your departure. This allows the staff to locate you if necessary. Name badges are provided for all volunteers and visitors to use when in the building. A map of the school is available if needed, and our office staff will be happy to direct you to your destination!

SUNNYSLOPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Parents and community members play an important role at Sunnyslope School by volunteering for a variety of projects during the school year. Volunteers work in and out of the classrooms, give students extra practice in reading fluency and with math facts, provide enrichment opportunities, during classroom Field Trips, with Picture Day, Field Day, and other PTA/district sponsored events & committees. There are opportunities for daily volunteering at specific times and events that need volunteers only once a year.

There is something for almost any interest. While most of our volunteering occurs during school hours, there are occasional needs for volunteers before and after school and some evenings. The Sunnyslope Volunteer Program can accommodate nearly any work schedule! Let us know if you have any special skills or talents you would like to share. We will try to find a way to use them! Whether a volunteer wants to help just now and then, or on a regularly scheduled basis, we encourage you to become involved.

Every year our school benefits from thousands of hours of volunteer service from both parents and members of the community. Please consider volunteering; it benefits our students and teachers, and you will be surprised at how good it makes you feel as well! Your time really does make a difference!!

SUNNYSLOPE SUPER VOLUNTEER TIPS BEFORE YOU START

Ask the teacher questions: What days and times does the teacher need help? Are you expected to make a commitment for the entire school year or just occasionally?

Do you have a special skill? Are you a computer whiz or perhaps a teacher yourself? Can you play a
musical instrument or speak another language fluently? Let the teacher know so he/she can plan a
special time for you.

You are counted on! If you can’t make your volunteer time, please let the teacher know as soon as
possible, to allow time to rearrange the schedule if necessary.

Arrive a little early: This allows you time to sign in at the office and get your name badge. Remember to sign out when you leave the building!

IN THE CLASSROOM

Keep information confidential: If you overhear anything personal about a student, keep it to yourself. If you have a concern, contact Mrs. Del Palacio.

Know the classroom rules: What are the teacher’s rules for student’s getting a drink, using the restroom, roaming the classroom? When you know the rules, you can direct students if asked.

Observe: Does the teacher run a quiet or active classroom? Keep these traditions, even if they are contrary to your own style.

Discipline: If you are working with a student that becomes uncooperative, let the teacher know. A volunteer does not need to work with students that are not following directions.

VOLUNTEERING SUCCESS 

Listen: Encourage interaction when appropriate. If possible, work across from the student so you can talk to each other. Use eye contact.

Praise: Even students who are slow to learn can shine when encouraged. Find things they do well and give positive feedback.

Be Observant: Watch how the students work. Get to know when they need help and when you should hold back. Doing student’s work for them is not helpful in the long run; being there to assist and guide is.

HAVE FUN! Volunteering is a win-win situation for you, the student, and the teacher.

Change lives by volunteering; yours and a child’s!