Greens Farms Academy Parents’ Association Events & Volunteer Opportunities Welcome to Greens Farms Academy! As a GFA Parent, you are a member of the Parents’ Association and you are welcome to attend general PA meeting or event. Our current PA events and committees are highlighted in the following pages. For contact names: Refer to the Committee Chairs listing on the website under “Parents” or in the School Directory.
We look forward to seeing you! Parent association meetings are the 3rd Thursday of every month at 8:00 am in the Oak Room No meeting in December or March.
Back to School Barbeque-‐ In September, welcome in the new school year at the parent/child picnic that will take place on the GFA playground. Meet new families and help staff the barbeque. Book Fair-‐This annual fundraiser takes place at Barnes and Noble, Westport. Stock up on holiday gifts and browses the teacher wish lists! Committee members organize publicity, entertainment, staffing (including evening and weekend hours) and gift-‐wrapping. Book Swap-‐In June; help the committee organize the textbooks for an in-‐school swap. It saves families money and raises money for the PA—a win/win situation. Students will drop off their used books to sell. Volunteers will advertise the event, organize and sell the books. Builders Beyond Borders-‐ (“B3”) provide Upper School students the opportunity to engage in humanitarian service by participating in construction projects to benefit impoverished communities throughout the world. GFA parent volunteer will also serve on the B3 board. Eyes Wide Open: Parent Awareness Forum-‐ Committee researches, publicizes and organizes details of speakers on current parenting and/or educational topics on one or more evenings during
the school year. GFA Administration will help to identify speakers and topics of interest. Date: TBA per availability of lecturer(s). Faculty Teas-‐ Parent volunteers coordinate grade level rotations of food donations for the much-‐ appreciated “PA sponsored” monthly Teas in the Faculty Lounge. Food Service Liaisons-‐ Committee works with the school’s catering service and gathers feedback from parents, students and teachers regarding the food service; continually finding ways to provide the best-‐tasting, healthiest food options. Garden Volunteers-‐ Do you have a green thumb? Parent volunteers assist in the spring and fall “clean-‐up” of the historic Cookman Garden (created in 1941). Plant bulbs and assist in special gardening projects. Grandparents Day-‐ A ‘Lower School Only’ event, Grandparents Day occurs in April. Grandparents are invited to visit their grandchildren at school, see the classrooms and attend special performances. Help organize this K-‐5 event. Heritage Dinner -‐ Taste of the World -‐ Parent volunteers coordinate with the Diversity Committee this student-‐run, all-‐school, family potluck dinner comprised of cherished recipes celebrating each family’s roots. Highlights of the evening include student or parent presentations that honor their heritage. Homecoming Fall Fair-‐ Welcome back fall and GFA Alumni at this fun family event hosted by the Parents’ Association and the Alumni Office in October. PA volunteers are needed to coordinate Saturday’s main event, which boasts a school run Barbeque, a parents’ bake sale at “The Dragon’s Bake Shop”, Alumni and Team games against rival KLHT throughout the day and fun activities for the youngest ones. Horizons-‐ Help underserved youth from the Bridgeport area. Volunteer for fundraising events, which benefit this K-‐8 summer and Saturday educational enrichment program. Events include the October “Fall Celebration Dinner” for 8th grade Horizons graduates and program benefactors, as well as a June Golf and Tennis Outing. Enrichment programs take place on the GFA campus. Hospitality-‐ Each division’s Hospitality volunteer organizes simple refreshments for Parent Visiting Nights, as well as providing help to the English Department to coordinate parent provided refreshments for MS/ US Coffee House events. Java Jam-‐ A Capella groups with a GFA graduate as a member come from area colleges to GFA to perform. The gym is converted into a coffee house and hosts a large audience. Proceeds from this event benefit Teacher Enrichment. Learning to Look-‐ Bring the Old Masters to life for our students! Help coordinate parent volunteers for this art appreciation program developed in conjunction with the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This commitment involves monthly training sessions for classroom lessons and planning/coordinating museum visits. Library Liaison-‐ Assist the head librarian with special projects – help shelf books, conduct shelf checks and some light duties once a week. Runs October thru May. Lower School Parents’ Association-‐ The Lower School Parents' Association organizes events and speakers of interest for Lower School parents with the goal of supporting parents of young children.
Murder Mystery Night-‐ High school juniors and seniors will have a wild evening during this interactive event complete with scripted parts, costumes, decorations and light refreshments. Eleventh and Twelfth grade parents are needed to coordinate this evening. OneCause.Com-‐ Parents can earn money for GFA by shopping online. Parent volunteer will be an in-‐ house “champion” to advertise and oversee the website information. Performing Arts-‐ Do you like to work with costumes and props? MS and US volunteers assist Music and Drama departments with coordinating volunteers for costuming and chaperoning for seasonal plays and musicals. Organizing of occasional receptions may be needed. Post Prom Party-‐ 11th and 12th Grade parents coordinate this Post Prom event in June. You can help to obtain the venue, organize activities and food for this fun filled and memorable evening. School Rings-‐ Offered to upper school students, school rings can be ordered and purchased at the school on selected days during the school year. Volunteer will co-‐coordinate efforts with the ring manufacturer and the student body. School Store/ Athletic Clothing/ Vintage Uniforms-‐Buying and Merchandising experience is helpful, but not necessary to help with “The Dragon Store”. Committee members manage each retail area (school spirit items, athletic clothing, vintage uniforms and supplies) and coordinate with the Athletic Director for required athletic uniforms. As a Store cashier during your day shift, you will be able to see your children, school staff and other parents. School Photos-‐ Do you have a good eye and talent for tucking in shirts? Parent volunteers help with class photos and individual photos in September. Help set up the program with the supplier, take care of distribution and arrange for photo re-‐takes in October. Sports Board Liaisons-‐ GO DRAGONS!! MS and US Chairs work with the Athletic Director to coordinate volunteers for special events and three team recognition potluck dinners. Help organize team mothers who assist with driving, coordinate snack volunteers and help with photographing athletes for team videos at the seasonal dinners. Dragon Dash-‐ Takes place in October Ready, Set, Go!! Our newly certified course attracts not only GFA families, but also runners from around the area. Get healthy and help raise money for GFA financial aid. Help organize publicity, obtain sponsors, and coordinate volunteers and runners for this fun morning event in May. Spring Market Day-‐This Committee orders plants to sell, obtains gift item vendors, arranges a morning coffee, plans student activities, sets up publicity and coordinates volunteers for this May PA fundraiser. Spring Social Event -‐ Organize a festive evening for the parents to connect and enjoy. Teacher Appreciation-‐ Help find the perfect gift to thank all of our wonderful teachers and staff! Buying experience is helpful, but not necessary. Distribute gifts mid May. Webmaster-‐The PA is always happy to have people on board with highly developed computer skills. * Denotes a non-‐annual event. The proceeds from all fundraising efforts benefit Greens Farms Academy unless otherwise noted