Volunteers make the educational experience at Saint Mary’s an enriched and inviting experience for all students. This commitment to our youth is greatly appreciated and valued.
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond and Saint Mary Catholic School are dedicated to keeping our students safe. In order to meet the mandates of the Diocese, a number of steps must be taken before a parent is permitted to volunteer to work with or accompany students.
The Catholic Diocese of Richmond is committed to ensuring that diocesan institutions and ministries provide a safe and nurturing environment for children, young people, and vulnerable individuals. The mission of the diocese Safe Environment Program is to create a safe environment incorporating the standards as outlined in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
In accordance with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People all diocesan employees, clergy, religious, teachers, staff, and all volunteers who work with children or youth participate in a Protecting God’s Children for Adults (VIRTUS) training session. Register on the VirtusOnline site to attend a currently scheduled training session within the Diocese of Richmond. You will be prompted to create a user id and password. Follow the prompts to continue the registration process, including Code of Conduct document and Screening One Background check. After entering your personal information, a drop down function will enable you to select a Diocese of Richmond training center location/date/time. Continue to follow instructions as indicated to complete the process. The Protecting God’s Children for Adults session is not recommended for those under the age of 18. Childcare is not available unless noted on the session listing. There is no charge for this training.
In addition to the VIRTUS training those who would like to serve as a chaperone and drive students off campus must:
- Complete a Volunteer Driver Form. A new form must be submitted each school year.
Please know that these screenings often take a number of weeks to complete. Please plan ahead to ensure compliance before engaging in volunteer activities.