Volunteer In School (VIS)
Thank you for your interest in supporting our students through volunteering at the Portsmouth School Department.
To ensure the safety and well-being of our students, all volunteers must complete the Volunteer In Schools (VIS) application process, which includes submitting these Volunteer In Schools Forms (3 forms). This procedure allows the district to submit the paperwork to the Attorney General's office to conduct volunteer in schools background check in accordance with R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-2-18.4 (Criminal records review for volunteers); § 16-2-18.5 (Prior criminal records checks for school volunteers).
Along with the 3 completed VIS forms, please include a color copy of your driver's license (front and back) or passport, a check (cash cannot be accepted) for $5.00 made payable to BCI, and return to your student's school or to the Central Administration Office.
Background Check Processing
As a courtesy, the Portsmouth School Department will submit your completed paperwork to the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office for processing. The Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) results will be emailed directly to the school department.
Please note that processing times can vary, and results may take several weeks to be received. When the school department receives the BCI results, the individual is notified via email.
If the need to get a BCI processed is urgent, go directly to the Attorney General's Office or your local Rhode Island police department to expedite the process. Once completed, submit the results form along with the 2 other required forms to your student's school or the Portsmouth School Department's Administration Office.
For more information on obtaining a background check, please visit the Rhode Island Attorney General's website: https://riag.ri.gov/i-want/get-background-check.
Background checks are now valid with the Portsmouth School Department for two (2) calendar years. PSD policy
Examples:
Approved on 9/1/25 - Expires on 9/1/27
Approved on 4/1/26 - Expires on 4/1/28
Please reach out to your student's school regarding any volunteer events.
We thank you for volunteering your time!
Tracy Lima
VIS District Coordinator