Volunteer
Volunteering is an amazing way to get involved with the school staff, other parents and your children! There are opportunities to fit every schedule, and every little bit of help means the world to us; we are you and can’t do it without all of our amazing volunteers!
Please consider giving your time, attention, or attendance to one of our events! Dedicating your time to just one event a year is also great way to meet parents and teachers, become more involved with your students, their friends and their school lives. We can't explain how excited the kids are to see their family at school in their everyday environment or teachers "out in the wild" at events off campus.
If you'd like to take a more active role in the PTA, please visit our volunteer sign-up page below for all current opportunities or email us about joining a committee at: southgatepta290@gmail.com.
Visiting The School
When visiting Southgate Elementary to volunteer for PTA during school hours, please report directly to the office. First time visitors will need their ID for the school to scan. All visitors will need to obtain a visitor's badge that must be displayed prominently on their person at all times and returned to the office at the end of their volunteer activities to complete check-out.
*If a PTA event is being held during school hours, that event will require a background check.
You must obtain a background check specifically through Anne Arundel County Public Schools; your government or sports background check will not suffice.
To volunteer for PTA...
*Persons without personal computer access may access this process on a school computer or use computers in a public library. To use a school computer, please contact the front office at Southgate Elementary School.
*Please note - after school events for PTA are not required to have a background check.
If you would like to volunteer directly with the school, please reach out to Carol Zeichner at southgatevolunteers@gmail.com.
Types of background checks
- Commercial Background CheckGo
- 100% free.
- You’ll only be notified if you don’t pass.
- Processing can take up to 3 weeks.
- Required if you volunteer during school hours.
- Not required if you’re completing the Fingerprint Background Check.
- Fingerprint Background CheckGo
- Costs $63 and includes the commercial background check.
- Schedule through the Fingerprinting Office at 410-222-5045.
- Chaperones should complete it at least 3 weeks before their event.
- Questions about the process or results can be directed to 410-222-5287.
- Keep your pink verification card with you while on school grounds.