Welcome to Greenfield Elementary School

Do you think you’d like to chaperone a field trip at GES this year?

If you think you might be willing and able to chaperone a field trip this year, there is a new ConVal District Policy regarding volunteers. Policy IJOC states that all volunteer field trip chaperones and drivers are required to undergo a background investigation. These records checks can take up to eight weeks, so it’s important to all of us that you begin this process soon- even if you’re not entirely sure that you’ll chaperone a trip.

How do you undergo the investigation?

Please see Mr. Iwanowicz in the office so he can explain the process and hand out to you the necessary paperwork. This allows the office to keep track of volunteers who have begun the process. There are directions in the packet about how to fill out a records check form, how to get the form notarized, where to be fingerprinted, and where to pass in the completed package.

What if you’re not sure if you’ll be a chaperone this year?

Do the background investigation now anyway. That way, if an opportunity arises, you’ll be all set. Remember, please, that the investigation can take up to eight weeks! Teachers don’t usually give families an eight-week head start for a field trip.

Do you think you’ve gone through the investigation process and been cleared already?

Please see Mr. Iwanowicz so he can determine whether or not the district requirement has been met. We maintain a current list of approved designated volunteers that we receive from the district office.

How long is the check good for?

Each background investigation is good for as long as a volunteer is in continuous service. That means that as long as you volunteer in some way at least once a year, you don’t have to redo the process.

What does the investigation cost?

The District pays for the State Police/FBI investigation. Some local police departments charge a fee for fingerprinting- ConVal does not reimburse that cost. Greenfield Police Department does this for free to Greenfield residents.