October 1st, 2021

We appreciate and celebrate volunteers in our schools. We know the value they add to a student’s experience and that volunteer contributions are meaningful and impactful. We also know that students, staff and community members are eager to get back to the activities they enjoy. COVID-19 has presented many challenges to typical school operations and processes as we work to prioritize the health and safety of our students, staff and by extension our community. Because of this, the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) has taken a cautious and staged approach to the return to school and return to extra-curricular activities, including the reintroduction of volunteers to our school communities.

Like so many decision points during COVID-19 pandemic, each decision has multiple considerations like the protection of personal information and privacy, record keeping, equity and accessibility, and of course the health and safety of students and staff.

What volunteers will need to do

Volunteers are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination through a secure portal. A secure vaccination portal has been developed and we are in the final stages of testing the portal, which will be available next week.

We want to reassure our staff, families and community that we will be welcoming community volunteers, while making sure personal medical information remains confidential.