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Volunteering at GCS

Parents, Grandparents & All GCS Volunteers

At Greenwich Catholic School, the safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority. In partnership with the Diocese of Bridgeport Office of Safe Environments, GCS follows diocesan requirements designed to ensure that all adults who work with or volunteer around children have completed the appropriate training and screening.

All volunteers age 18 and older must be fully Safe Environment compliant before volunteering at Greenwich Catholic School.

This applies to all volunteer opportunities, including classroom activities, field trips, school events, athletics, special programs, and other activities involving our students. Even if you plan to volunteer only once during the school year, you must complete the required Safe Environment steps before participating.

First-Time Volunteers

If you have never completed Safe Environment/VIRTUS training through the Diocese of Bridgeport, you will need to complete the required Protecting God’s Children/VIRTUS training and associated Safe Environment requirements.

Register for VIRTUS

  1. Visit www.virtus.org
  2. Click “First-Time Registrant” on the left side of the screen.
  3. Select “Begin the Registration Process.”
  4. Find “Bridgeport, CT (Diocese)” and click “Select.”
  5. Follow the instructions to create your username and password and complete the registration process.
  6. Complete all required forms and authorizations, including the required background screening.

First-time volunteers are required to complete the initial Protecting God’s Children training before they may volunteer.

Safe Environment Handbook

All volunteers are also responsible for reviewing the Diocese of Bridgeport Safe Environment Handbook and completing any required acknowledgments.

Review the Safe Environment Handbook

Already VIRTUS Trained? Check Your Renewal Status

Safe Environment compliance must remain current in order to continue volunteering.

VIRTUS certification and background checks require renewal every five years.

If your VIRTUS training has expired, you do not need to repeat the original in-person training. You can complete the required online refresher course through your VIRTUS account.

The refresher course is approximately one hour and can be completed online at your convenience.

VIRTUS Renewal & Refresher Information

We strongly encourage returning volunteers to check their VIRTUS account periodically to make sure their training and background screening remain current.

Planning to Volunteer at GCS?

We are grateful for the many parents, grandparents, and family members who give their time to support our students and school community throughout the year.

Please do not wait until a field trip or event is approaching to complete your requirements. Safe Environment compliance must be confirmed before you are permitted to volunteer.

Greenwich Catholic School maintains records of volunteers who have completed the Diocese of Bridgeport Safe Environment requirements. If you are unsure of your current compliance status, please contact the GCS Main Office for assistance.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, welcoming, and faith-filled environment for every child at Greenwich Catholic School.

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