School Volunteers

VIRTUS Program - Required for all volunteers

Our school community is very appreciative of our volunteers’ dedication. We are truly blessed to have such a vibrant and caring community. The Diocese of Cleveland has recently revised their requirements for those who volunteer in the school or for school related activities. Below is a summary of the Diocesan mandated requirements that anyone who works with our school children must comply with.

VIRTUS TRAINING PROGRAM

Training

EVERYONE who works with our children or volunteers in ANY way needs to complete this diocesan training. This includes those who volunteer in the Library, Computer Lab, Cafeteria, or any other classroom for various activities (field trips, parties, etc.); as well as, those who help with our Accelerated Reader program and PTU members and others who volunteer at events/functions. Information about how to register and where upcoming sessions will be held can be found at: www.clevelandchildprotection.org.

Child Protection In-Service, Policies, and Acknowledgement Forms

Further, employees, coaches, scout leaders, assistants, and those who volunteer on a regular basis (defined as at least 1 hour/week or 4 hours/month) must complete the following requirements in addition to Virtus Training:

1. View the online video series, “Child Protection Policy In-Service” found on the diocesan website, http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/childprotection . There are three videos in the series- “Intro and Updates”, “Social Media Policy”, and “Background Screens”. All three videos are to be viewed.
2. Following the video in-service, there are two written policies that must be read in their entirety:Policy for the Safety of Children in Matters of Sexual Abuse (Revised June 2016) and Standards of Conduct for Ministry (Revised June 2016). These documents can be found at http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/childprotection and are also in the School Office.
3. Following viewing the video in-service and reading both Diocesan policies, you must print off and sign the acknowledgment forms found at the end of each policy. Please turn those completed and signed acknowledgement forms into the School Office to be kept on file.
   

Background Checks Completed by BCI and FBI

In order to provide the safest environment possible to those we serve, The Diocese of Cleveland, in conjunction with Virtus, has partnered with Selection.com, a faith-based background check company. Selection.com has been in business for over 25 years and is currently serving 33 Dioceses across the US. It is a government recognized reporting agency that will run periodic checks on our active volunteers. Selection.com is much easier and more convenient for volunteers to use, as well as for the parish. It does come with a one time cost of $25. If you are unable to financially cover this cost, please contact Mrs. Kelley at mkelley@stcolumbkilleschool.org to discuss assistance/reimbursement.

To complete the online background check: 

• Log into your VIRTUS account that you set up at www.virtus.org. If you cannot remember your log in or password, you will be instructed on how to get a new log in. 
• In the top left corner under the word VIRTUS, click on “TOOLBOX.” 
• On the far left side of your screen, click on the first choice “Selection.com Background Check” and begin completing the information requested. You will be prompted to click on the button “Begin Background check.” 
• The next page will prompt you to click on “Enter Background Check Info.” 
• Keep following the prompts. To complete the process, a one-time $25.00 fee will need to be paid. This can be done with a credit card or a token number, if this has been provided from your parish/school. 
• Finish completing the application as prompted

We thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation in this manner, as well as your timely completion of the requirements. We do appreciate all that our volunteers do to enrich our student’s educational experience. If you have further questions, please contact the school, or click the button bellow to view the full check list from the Cleveland Diocese.
 
In Christ’s Peace,

The Administrative Staff
Saint Columbkille School