Volunteer & Chaperone Policy

At Happy Valley School, we value every family that chooses to get involved. Volunteers make a real difference – and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to participate.

support our school

Getting Involved at Happy Valley School

There are many ways to support our school community – from classroom volunteering and school events to field trip chaperoning and PTO participation.

To ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of all our students during school-sponsored activities, Happy Valley School has established the following volunteer and chaperone guidelines. Please review them carefully before getting involved.

safety is our top priority

IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card Requirement

The safety of our students is our top priority – especially during school-sponsored activities away from campus.

All parents, guardians, and volunteers who wish to serve as an official field trip chaperone or be assigned responsibility for supervising a student group during a field trip must possess a valid Arizona Identity Verified Prints (IVP) Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Legal Basis

While Arizona law does not require classroom volunteers who remain under the direct supervision of a certificated employee to hold an IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card, charter schools are authorized to establish policies requiring fingerprint clearance for volunteers who supervise students or serve in other volunteer capacities.

Pursuant to:

📋 A.R.S. § 15-183(C)(5)

📋 A.R.S. § 15-512

Happy Valley School requires all official field trip chaperones to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card prior to participating in field trips as a supervising volunteer.

Who This Policy Applies To

ROLE	IVP CARD REQUIRED?
✅ Official field trip chaperone	✅ Yes – required
✅ Volunteer supervising a student group	✅ Yes – required
ℹ️ Classroom volunteer under direct staff supervision	ℹ️ Not required by state law – school may require at discretion
ℹ️ Family attending open school events/assemblies	❌ Not required

⚠️ Parents and guardians without a current IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card are welcome to attend school events that are open to families. However, they may not serve as an official field trip chaperone, supervise students, or be assigned responsibility for a student group during any school-sponsored field trip or activity.

How to Apply for Your IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card

Parents and guardians may apply for an Arizona IVP Fingerprint Clearance Card through the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS). The application portal provides instructions for:

💻 Completing the online application

📅 Scheduling fingerprinting

🔍 Checking application status

🔄 Renewing an existing card

🔘 APPLY HERE FOR YOUR IVP FINGERPRINT CLEARANCE CARD

⚠️ Processing times may vary throughout the year. Families interested in volunteering on field trips are strongly encouraged to begin the application process well in advance of any planned school activities.

Get Involved as a Volunteer

There are many ways to get involved at Happy Valley School beyond field trip chaperoning. From classroom support to school events, PTO participation, and more – we welcome and appreciate every volunteer.

If you indicated volunteer interest during enrollment, our team will be in touch with upcoming opportunities. If you would like to express your interest now, please contact the school office.

📞 623-376-2900

Join the PTO

One of the best ways to stay involved and support our school community is through the Happy Valley School PTO.

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Questions About Volunteering?

Our front office team is happy to answer any questions about our volunteer and chaperone policy.