Parent Volunteer Hours Policy
Dominion Ridge Academy believes that parent involvement is a vital part of creating a thriving, supportive school environment. To that end, we require each family to contribute to the school community through Parent Volunteer Hours that directly support student life, staff, and the upkeep of our facilities.
Volunteer Hour Requirement
Each family is required to complete a minimum of 30 volunteer hours per academic year (15 hours per semester).
If your schedule does not allow for in-person volunteering, a monetary substitution of $150 may be paid in lieu of volunteer hours. This amount will be billed at the end of the school year for any families who have not met the hour requirement.
Approved Volunteer Activities
Families may fulfill their volunteer hours in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
Classroom Assistance
Supporting teachers with classroom prep, activities, or student help.
Recess & Lunch Monitoring
Supervising students during lunch and outdoor play times.
Kitchen Duties
Assisting with food prep, serving, and clean-up in the school kitchen/cafe.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Participating in regular or deep cleaning and organizing spaces.
Event Support
Volunteering during school events such as fundraisers, family nights, open houses, etc.
Fundraising Projects
Assisting with the preparation, planning, and execution of school fundraising efforts.
Special Skills or Professional Services
With prior approval, offering specific expertise (e.g., photography, carpentry, monitoring the front desk, before/after care services, tech support).
Volunteer Clearance Requirements
To ensure the safety of our students and community:
All volunteers are required to obtain or submit a notarized copy of a completed background check from the following agencies: Contact Heather Knapp for more information at hknapp@dominionridgek12.com.
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation)
State Police
Virginia Criminal Records Exchange
The background check must be dated within the last five years and kept on file with the school office before participating in any volunteer activities involving students or being present at school-sponsored events.
Volunteer Code of Conduct
All volunteers at Dominion Ridge Academy are expected to uphold the school’s values and serve as positive role models. Volunteers must agree to abide by the following code of conduct:
Language: Volunteers will use only respectful, appropriate, and encouraging language at all times while on school grounds or interacting with students or staff.
Behavior: Volunteers will maintain professional, courteous, and Christ-like behavior. Disruptive, disrespectful, or inappropriate behavior will not be tolerated.
Confidentiality: Volunteers must respect the privacy of students, families, and staff and refrain from discussing sensitive matters outside of the school environment.
Attire: Volunteers should dress modestly and appropriately for their assigned duties, reflecting the values of the school.
Boundaries: Volunteers must maintain appropriate physical and relational boundaries with all students and staff.
Substance Use: The use of alcohol, tobacco/vape, or drugs is strictly prohibited on school property or during school events.
Volunteers who do not adhere to the Code of Conduct may be asked to leave campus and may forfeit their ability to serve in future roles.
Tracking Volunteer Hours
All volunteer hours must be logged and submitted using the official volunteer log available in the front office.
Families should log hours within one week of service to ensure accurate tracking.
Unfulfilled Hours
Families not completing the full 30-hour requirement will be charged $5 per uncompleted hour.
The maximum monetary substitution is $150 per year.
Charges will be billed at the end of the academic year.
Scheduling & Requirements
Volunteers must sign in and out through the front office and wear a visitor badge while on campus.
Some volunteer roles may require prior training or approval.
We greatly value the generous time, talents, and resources our families contribute. Your support strengthens the mission of Dominion Ridge Academy and helps us cultivate an exceptional experience for every student.
For questions about volunteering or scheduling opportunities, please contact the front office or our volunteer coordinator.
Revised 7/17/25