Want to be a part of things but need to find out what’s involved? Hearing about programs but don’t know what they are? READ ON…
ONGOING PROGRAMS
ACADEMIC ASSISTANT Parents who work in the classroom make a huge difference for all our students. An additional hour a week working with a single student can make a powerful impact in a different way. Every student brought closer to mastery means greater opportunity for the whole classroom to advance. If you have time to volunteer during school, please consider becoming an Academic Assistant. You are assigned a student who needs a little more one-on-one support with classroom work. With guidance from the teacher on areas of focus and strategies to use, you serve as a tutor during the school day to help get work done. Just that little bit of extra attention could mean tremendous strides for struggling students, and further academic advancement for all.
Time Commitment: Minimal, with long-term commitment. An hour a week for the duration of the school year.
How to get involved: Email Jason Sutter or grab a sign-up form in the office.
AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT This program aims to bring a variety of new education opportunities to the students of McNear they might not get otherwise. Golf, Mandarin Chinese, crafts, photography, ceramics, Lego engineering, and cooking have all been popular offerings. This program cannot run without parent volunteers to coordinate it. Also a great opportunity to teach a group of kids a unique subject or new activity. Two 5-week sessions, one in the fall and one in winter/spring.
Time Commitment: Moderate to Maximum. Two people commit to a year to plan the two sessions, promote registration, and handle class management. Instructors teach courses of their own design.
How to get involved: Email Kate Boyd
ART DOCENT Have you seen beautiful artwork in your child’s classroom? If the answer is yes, it is surely due to an effort from an Art Docent. Art Docents come into the classrooms and lead an art project with the kids. These art projects are requested by the teachers and are usually designed to reflect the curriculum in that classroom. If you feel like art is an important part of your child’s education, or if you just want an opportunity to get in the classroom and have fun with the kids, sign up as an Art Docent. No experience necessary! You will be fully trained by lead docent Alyse Breece.
Time Commitment: Moderate. Hour-long lessons as schedules permit.
How to get involved: Email Alyse Breece
BUDDY PROGRAM A new school can be confusing for kindergarten families and those new to McNear. To make newcomers feel more welcome and get their questions answered, the McNear Buddy Program matches them with established volunteers. Through emails, phone calls, or face-to-face introductions at school, Buddy volunteers are a vital part of creating the open McNear community we strive for.
Time Commitment: Minimal. A few minutes over the first months of school to email or greet a new family in person.
How to get involved: Email Kate Boyd
CROSSING GUARDS Our teachers act as crossing guards but it is often difficult for them to safely release the children to their parents and then get to the crosswalk in a timely manner. We need a rotation of parents to help our students cross G Street safely. Parents need to be at the G Street crosswalk at 2:45 and stay until approximately 3:15. Additional monitors would also be welcome at the Sunnyslope crosswalk during drop-off in the mornings.
Time Commitment: Moderate. 30-minute shift in the morning or afternoon, on a regular, rotating schedule.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook or Jason Sutter
DINE & DONATE It’s a simple set-up that businesses have come to love, because McNear is well known for coming out in droves. On a given day, patrons shop or eat at the designated business, and for each flier they receive, they donate a percentage of the sales back to the school. Jennifer Selby is the chairperson for this successful program, and she’d appreciate anyone who wants to help with coordination, promotion, and follow-up.
Time Commitment: Moderate. Monthly events all year.
How to get involved: Email Jen Selby
LIBRARY SUPPORT Librarian Laura Bussey doesn’t ask for assistance frequently, but she can still use it. Shelve books any time, and assist during class visits so she can work more closely with the students.
Time Commitment: Minimal. Shelve books at any time your schedule permits or visit the library with a class on a regular basis.
How to get involved: Email Laura Bussey or Susan Cook
RECESS RENAISSANCE This is a program based on the principle that recess should be inclusive and not intimidating for students. From bringing in students often on the outskirts to giving all students a chance to try new activities, this program aims to reduce conflict and increase healthy play. Parent volunteers are a vital part of this program and needed to make it happen.
Time Commitment: Moderate. Weekly slot Tuesday and/or Thursday between 11:30-12:30. Long-term commitment desired, but flexibility and sharing is welcome.
How to get involved: Email Janice Eurgubian
SCHOOL WEAR SALES The PTA produces t-shirts, hats, and sweatshirts featuring the McNear name and logo. This effort is not a fundraising program, but rather a chance for our community to show our falcon pride! Kids wear their gear (or any school color item) on Fridays to compete as a class for one of the coveted Falcon Pride Medals. The Falcon Gear Coordinator receives orders, places them with the vendor, and distributes them as needed. They also may need to sell items at school events.
Time Commitment: Moderate. Largest time involvement at the beginning of a production cycle, may be done from home with help on campus. Order fulfillment and sales at regular intervals.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook
STAND ALONE EVENTS
BOOK FAIR The PTA partners with Scholastic Books to sell books and raise money for the school. Kids visit the book fair during school hours and everyone makes a reading wish list, including teachers. Every sale means a portion donated back to the school, so many families find this a great time to buy gifts. The last evening of the Fair culminates in a Dessert Night, when free goodies are available and families come to socialize. Fall and Spring fairs annually. Chairs Tricia DeCarli and Tena Jackson run the Fair and need salespeople every day.
Time Commitment: Minimal. Work the Book Fair in 40-60 minute time slots. Set up and break down the days before and after the Fair. Bake serving-size goodies for Dessert Night.
How to get involved: Email Tena Jackson or Tricia DeCarli
HARVEST CARNIVAL This October event is a great fundraiser for the PTA, a traditional community builder, and tons of fun. It features traditional penny carnival games, a cake walk, a raffle of class-built gift baskets, ELAC-cooked food, and more. Chairperson Antoinette Butts has run the event for years, and has plenty of ways for you to be a part of this great day. Bake a cake or tray of goodies, create an attraction, man the ticket table, sell raffle tickets, sell bakes goods or popcorn.
Time Commitment: Minimal. Collect donations in the weeks before the Carnival, 1- and 2-hour shifts during the day, set up and break down in the hours before and after.
How to get involved: Email Antoinette Butts
HOMESPUN CRAFT FAIR Started in 2009, this event brings together local artisans and McNear crafters to sell unique wares and benefit the school. The table fee and a portion of each sale goes to the PTA general fund and After School Enrichment. April Citti organizes the event and runs a kids’ craft table, and the PTA offers free gift wrap. Usually occurs the first Saturday in December.
Time Commitment: Minimal. Hang signs around town, supervise the kids craft table or work the gift wrap table for an hour during the event.
How to get involved: Email April Citti
ICE CREAM SOCIAL This social event kicks off the school year with free ice cream sundaes served by our teachers and staff.
Time Commitment: Minimal. Promote the event at school, help gather supplies, set up and clean up.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook or Kate Boyd
JOG-A-THON This event has become a beloved fundraiser that encourages kids involvement and physical activity. Kids can get pledges for either flat donations or a dollar amount given for every lap run. Grab a pen and mark each runner’s arm as they run by, help them count their laps, and get their total number recorded. Stay for just your child’s class or stand on the sidelines all day and cheer the runners on. Fall event run by Christi Reynolds and Tricia DeCarli.
Time Commitment: Minimal. One school day in the fall, 30-minute shifts or stay for entire program.
How to get involved: Email Christi Reynolds or Tricia DeCarli
MOVIE NIGHT Twice a year the PTA shows a movie (selected by Student Leadership) in the multipurpose room and serves popcorn. Families don their PJs, cuddle up with pillows and blankets, and watch a G-rated movie on the big screen.
Time Involved: Minimal. Promote the movie around school, make and serve popcorn.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook or Kate Boyd
SPRING FUNDRAISER Formerly coordinated by Friends of McNear, this annual auction-based event raises the largest donation for the school, allocated for such important uses as technology for the classrooms and hands-on programs for the kids. The PTA Vice President of Fundraising Liz Foote chairs the event, with tremendous support from co-chair Susie Parsons and dozens of volunteers. Helpers solicit donations of goods and services from local businesses, set and clean up the day of the event, and help with sales during the night.
Time Commitment: Minimal to Moderate. Set up and sales shifts during the night start at one hour, solicitations can be stand alone or regular ongoing calls.
How to get involved: Email Liz Foote
TALENT SHOW Willing students put on an amazing show in the spring, with offerings diverse as karate displays, songs on piano, homemade skits and dance numbers. Parent volunteers work with a selection of kids to hone their performances and offer moral support. Or promote the event around school, bake or sell concessions that night.
Time Commitment: Minimal to Moderate. Bake sale before show and during intermission. Work with students in regular rehearsals in the weeks before the Show.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook or Kate Boyd
TV TURN-OFF WEEK Conveniently timed with the Book Fair, this is a chance to remind our kids that there is plenty of fun to be had without TV. The program gives ideas for other activities and rewards those who choose to go the whole week with no screens. Fall and Spring events annually.
Time Commitment: Moderate. Two events a year, planning and follow up in the weeks before and after.
How to get involved: Email Susan Cook or Kate Boyd