HOW TO GET
INVOLVED
WELL AN FAMILIES GE T INVOLVED. At a recent All-School Curriculum Night, a Parent Association (PA) leader asked parents to stand if they ever participated in the following ways: • • • •
Brought food to a classroom breakfast Donated flowers for a flower-arranging work Gave money to the Annual Fund Attended a community service event
The list went on... and before long, every parent in the room was standing. There are opportunities in all shapes and sizes, to fit any schedule. The question is: which opportunities are right for you? Browse through the following pages and decide which opportunities feel like the best fit.
At A Gla nce: Giving to the Annual Fund Other Opportunities to Give Classroom Volunteer Opportunities School-Wide Volunteer Opportunities Community Events for Families Community Events for Adults Represent Wellan
WELL AN FAMILIES CONTRIBUTE. Giving to the A nnual Fu nd Most Wellan families make a tax-deductible contribution to the Annual Fund to support school operations. Wellan is a non-profit 501c3 educational institution.
Why does Wellan solicit donations? Tuition only covers about 95% of the school’s annual operating budget. The school depends on voluntary donations from parents, extended family members, and alumni in order to expand and enrich educational offerings for students, offer financial assistance to eligible students, improve school facilities, and provide professional growth opportunities for faculty. Will we be asked to contribute? Yes. Our expectation is that all Wellan families will make a contribution to the Annual Fund at a level appropriate to their financial situation. This expectation is the norm in independent schools, and the funds raised are necessary to meet the annual budget. How will our Annual Fund gift be acknowledged? All Annual Fund donors are listed in our annual Year in Review publication. Gifts of $5,000 and higher are acknowledged on a plaque in our Main Office. Gifts from alumni families are acknowledged on a colorful plaque on our playground. Larger transformational gifts may be acknowledged in other ways. Does my employer offer Corporate Matching donations? That is a great question to ask at your workplace, and a great way to double your impact. We welcome Corporate Matching contributions and acknowledge these in our Year in Review publication as well. When should we make our Annual Fund donation? Our official launch of the Annual Fund begins each fall and our general goal is to secure full participation by December or January. But Annual Fund gifts are of course welcome at any time of year. Playground donations secured a Gaga Pit, play house, and other features
Gifts can be made online through a secure form at wellan.org/annual-fund.
O th e r O ppor tuni ties to Give Gifts outside of the Annual Fund can range from making a pledge at our annual gala to sponsoring a special project. The school is open to ideas!
Major Gifts Gifts of more than $10,000 are most welcome and are transformational for a small school like Wellan. Please share your ideas and intentions with the Head of School, who can help you identify ways your contribution could impact the school’s future. As an example of one recent major gift: an alumni family sponsored an annual Faculty Travel Fellowship. Through this program, Wellan teachers can apply for a grant to travel over the summer and bring new knowledge back to our classrooms in the fall. So far, this grant has brought teachers to Peru, Iceland, Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain. Alumni Giving Families whose students graduate or transition to another school are invited to maintain a strong connection with the school, including through Alumni donations and participation in school events. Annual Gala Each year the school hosts a special gala-style event at which parents and teachers enjoy one another’s company in a social setting. There are typically opportunities to donate to specific upcoming initiatives for the coming year. Past initiatives supported by the annual gala have included a renovation of the playground, the purchase of new technical equipment for the Drama program, and a full renovation of the Wellan Arts Wing.
Capital improvements to facilities; faculty travel fellowship; annual gala
WELL AN FAMILIES VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME. Cla s s room Volu n te e r O ppor tu ni ties Talk with your child’s classroom teachers about ways you can support student learning.
Ways to be engaged vary by division based on the ages of students and their schedules. These are a few of the opportunities that may be available: Class Parent Support teachers’ efforts to build a strong community by welcoming new families and coordinating volunteer efforts for class projects and celebrations. Each classroom has two Class Parent volunteers per year. Primary Mystery Reader Schedule a time to read a book to the class. Primary children will be surprised and delighted to see you as the week’s “mystery” guest! Field Trip Chaperone Watch for requests from teachers seeking parents who are willing to supervise students on off-site trips. Culture Sharer Give a short presentation about one of your family’s cultural traditions. Parents, grandparents, nannies, or extended family members can talk to teachers about this opportunity.
Cultural Celebration volunteer; library event volunteer; culture sharer
Guest Expert Whether you know a lot about a topic because it’s your profession or a favorite hobby, ask your child’s teachers about sharing a brief presentation or activity with the class.
Sc hool -W id e Volu n te e r O ppor tu ni ties All Wellan parents are automatically members of the Parent Association, and are invited to get involved at PA meetings.
What does the PA do? The PA organizes social and community-building events and demonstrates appreciation for Wellan’s talented staff. Who leads the PA? There is a minimum of one nominated president and vice president each year. The community also nominates 6–10 parents or guardians per year to represent parents in the PA Council. All parents are always welcome to attend PA Council meetings. What are some examples of past PA initiatives? • • • • • • • • •
Thanksgiving Feast for Students Bill’s 5K Team Winter Family Event Spirit Wear Sales Scholastic Book Fair Spirit Week Staff Appreciation Week Parent Coffees Community Service Days
How can I learn more? Attend the Volunteer Opportunity Coffee in September, or reach out to PA leaders any time by emailing PA@wellan.org. Community Service Event; Thanksgiving Feast; Bill’s 5K
WELL AN FAMILIES VALUE COMMUNIT Y. Com muni t y Eve n t s For Fa milies Throughout the year, there are many opportunities to socialize with other parents, caregivers, and kids at Wellan.
Parent volunteers organize age-specific events and classroom playdates throughout the year. Plus: here are some opportunities the whole school community can enjoy together. Fall Festival Each September, Wellan hosts a Fall Festival at Kimball Farm in Westford. Enjoy lunch, mini-golf, bumper boat rides, and a host of outdoor activities for all ages while getting to know other families. Family Cardboard Challenge “Design Thinking” isn’t just for kids who take class in the Makerspace. It’s for their families too! Join your children at this October event and transform cardboard into just about anything you can imagine. Spring Into STEAM At this fun family tradition in May, engage your brain in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Past activities have included Woodworking, UpCycling, Lego Robotics, Chain Reactions, and more! End of Year Picnic On the last day of school each year, our tradition is to dismiss students at noon so that all families can join us for a picnic at Larz Anderson Park in Brookline. We always enjoy the fresh air, Knucklebones games, and the chance to wish friends a fun summer! Fall Festival; Family Cardboard Challenge; End of Year Picnic
Com muni t y Eve n t s For Adul t s Wellan offers opportunities for adults to socialize and learn while the kids are at home. Call the sitter and don’t miss out!
Back to School Night This event in September is a “must,” providing vital information to both new and returning families about the coming school year. You will meet teachers, learn about the school’s priorities, and get information about classroom routines and curriculum. Community Dinner Parties You won’t want to miss this fun night out in the fall. Parents are invited to a progressive-style dinner hosted in Wellan family homes, starting with appetizers, then moving on to dinner, and lastly, dessert and fun. It’s a great opportunity to meet and mingle with new and returning families! Heart and Hand Conference for Parents and Caregivers If you are a Beginner or Primary parent, attend this half-day conference in November and discover how basic Montessori practices can make your daily life with young children more peaceful and rewarding. In interactive workshops facilitated by Wellan faculty, you’ll learn practical tips for helping children follow household routines, engage in enriching activities, and even put away their toys (no, seriously!).
Back to School; Heart and Hand; photo booth at the annual gala
Annual Gala Each year in March we host a fun gala for our adult community. Past venues have included the New England Aquarium and Brae Burn Country Club. At Glitz!, parents, staff, and friends of the school joined together for an evening of casino games and raised money to fund a major Arts Wing renovation. Supporting the school and socializing at the same time is always a win-win!
WELL AN FAMILIES SHOW SCHOOL SPIRIT. Re prese n t Wella n From Spirit Week in the spring to simple gestures that help spread the word about Wellan, there are many ways to show school pride!
Dress Up for Spirit Week The PA organizes a Spirit Week every spring, during which students enjoy wearing school colors, fashioning crazy hair, and demonstrating school values. Post a Yard Sign at Home Each fall we create yard signs to advertise our info sessions. Posting a sign at home is a quick and easy way to spread the word to neighbors and passersby. For next-level school spirit, share a photo of the sign on social media!
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Wear School Gear Our Spirit Wear line is another way to show school pride and spark conversation about Wellan. Clothing and accessories make great gifts for children and adults alike. Watch for more information about Spirit Wear in the fall. Sport a Car Magnet Do you drive? Take Wellan on the road! Each family receives a free car magnet upon joining the school.
Spirit Week; car magnet; Wellan spirit wear
Post a School Review We value feedback from families as a way to maintain the highest quality school experience possible. Prospective families also find reviews helpful as they seek the best-fit school for their child. We invite you to review us on GreatSchools, Yelp, Google, Social Media, Niche, and Private School Review.
Read y to g e t involved? He re a re you r n ex t s te ps:
For Giving Opportunities: Email development@wellan.org. For Classroom Volunteer Opportunities: Contact your child’s teachers. For School-Wide Volunteer Opportunities: Email PA@wellan.org. For Community Events: Save the Dates at wellan.org/calendar.