Our Committees

 

Our Home & School has many committees plus some activities and events run by our Executive Board. Please read below to find out more. You can find contact information for the Committee Chairs on the "Our Team" page or ask general questions via pennwoodhomeandschool@gmail.com.

 

Assemblies

Work with the staff and administrators in guiding curriculum-driven assemblies and classroom enrichment; may include programs in science, math, music, performing arts, and cultural diversity.

  

Bingo Night (even years only)

Every other year, we host a family event with bingo games, raffles, pizza & desserts. Volunteers will help with decor, setup, technology, running the event, and cleanup.

Volunteers Needed: a few organizers, 10+ at evening event

Volunteer Timeframe: late Winter

 

Book Fair

Bi-annual Scholastic Book Fair happens around teacher conferences. Volunteers will assist with setup/cleanup and student wish lists & shopping.

Volunteers Needed: 10-15 over a week

Volunteer Timeframe: 2 times/year in shifts

 

Breakfast with a Buddy

Annual event held over 2-3 mornings to honor our Penn Wood families. Assistance is needed reaching out to our local community for food & beverages and setup/serving/clean-up at the events.

Volunteers Needed: 12 per day

Volunteer Timeframe: 3 days, along with collecting donations

 

Bulletin Boards - Indoor & Outdoor

Publicize events on the lobby bulletin boards and two outside signs. We have a committee chair who designs and creates the lobby & cafeteria bulletin boards. Manage the outdoor signs with reminders and messages.

  

Dine & Donate

We host several “Penn Wood Night Out” events during the school year in which our families patronize a particular restaurant. A percentage of the sales are donated back to our Home & School Association. These events are a great way to meet up with other families - you can schedule time with friends and have kids & adults eat at their own tables!

 

Directory (organized by Executive Board)

The school directory is the main way that your child will be included in playdates and birthday parties, so we ask that everyone share at least one contact method for your child. The directory is available on pennwoodhsa.com and members must log in to access it.  Families will automatically be included unless they opt-out by the deadline.

** Please note that our directory is NOT to be used for solicitation of any kind. **

 

Fall FUNdraiser

Our main fundraiser which kicks off at the start of the school year and ends with a celebration event for the students.  Volunteers help collect donations and distribute prizes.

Volunteers Needed: 2-3 planners, 20+ event

Volunteer Timeframe: 1 day event, 4 weeks for prizes

 

Garden Club

Students work together to maintain our community garden and make our school more beautiful while learning in the process.  Volunteers are needed to run this club which can meet over lunch time or before/after school.

Volunteers Needed: 1-2

Volunteer Timeframe: year-long commitment

 

Holiday Shop (Students)

Students are given time during the school day to shop for holiday gifts ($1-5 items) for family members. Volunteers are needed to assist with students’ selections, wrapping, and check-out. Volunteering during your child’s scheduled time is OK, but you may spoil the surprise!

Volunteers Needed: 4-5 per hour

Volunteer Timeframe: 1 day in December, 1-3 hour shifts

 

Homeroom Parents (organized by Volunteer Coordinator)

Each classroom has a parent responsible for assisting the teacher with special activities, supporting classroom party parents, and organizing teacher gifts at the Holiday and End of Year parties.

 

Ice Cream Social

Our first event of the year, this social is a great way to say hello to each other and welcome our new families. We will have celebrity scoopers and a DJ!

 

Ice Skating Social

Planned for a half day or no school day in the Fall/Winter, this is a fun event for families to enjoy skating time at the local ice rink. Bring your own skates or use rentals available there; beginners are welcome and support bars will be available. Hot chocolate and soft pretzels add to the treat. Volunteers will help with collecting sign-up forms & waivers and check-in at the event.

Volunteers Needed: 2 per hour

Volunteer Timeframe: one day in early Winter

 

Library Volunteers (organized by Volunteer Coordinator)

Volunteers are needed in the library to assist the Librarian with shelving and locating books or entering information on the computer. This is a year long commitment and reliable volunteers are appreciated.

Volunteers Needed: 10-16 weekly/bi-weekly

Volunteer Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the year

 

Lunch Volunteers

Parents with clearances can sign-up to assist school staff with supervising & monitoring outdoor lunch as weather allows.  This is especially helpful in the younger grades at the start of the year. You can sign-up for your child’s specific lunch period.

Volunteers Needed: 1-2 per lunch

Volunteer Timeframe: Fall and Spring

  

Movie Night

The students will vote for the movie which we will watch together outside of Penn Wood. Bring your own seating & snacks or treat yourself with a food truck. Volunteers will help with organizing vendors for the movie and food.

Volunteers Needed: 1-2

Volunteer Timeframe: one day in Fall

 

Newsletter (organized by Executive Board)

Home & School publishes a bi-weekly newsletter (Principal sends on alternate weeks). This committee collects information and designs the layout.

 

No-Cost Fundraising

Fundraising simply by using products and stores that give back to Penn Wood such as Box Tops. After families sign up to participate or submit their receipts and labels, a percentage of sales are donated back to our Home & School Association. Committee will do promotion and collections.

Volunteers Needed: 1-2

Volunteer Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the year

 

Penn Wood Cares (organized by Executive Board)

Our Penn Wood families and staff sometimes deserve a congratulations or need a caring hand during a life event or difficult period.  Home & School recognizes these events with a small gift, arranging meals, or organizing a gift card drive to support these members of our community.

 

Prized Pumpkin Social

A family social just before Halloween where people can bring a painted or carved pumpkin in one of the themed categories. All are welcome to join and students will vote for their favorite in each category; winners receive a trophy. Enjoy some fall treats and hot chocolate while socializing with or making new friends. Volunteers are needed to help with event setup/cleanup, check-in, counting votes, and serving food.

Volunteers Needed: 10-15

Volunteer Timeframe: one Friday night in October

  

School Store

The school store is an excellent opportunity to interact with the students. The store sells school supplies and small items costing $1 or less. It is open 1-2 mornings per week from 8:15-9:00am and regular volunteers can establish a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly schedule.

Volunteers Needed: 3-4

Volunteer Timeframe: Ongoing throughout the year

 

Science Day

Partnering with teachers, we organize a day of science activities and presentations for each grade.

Volunteers Needed: 10-12

Volunteer Timeframe: 1 day in May/June, 1 hour shifts

 

Spirit Wear

Home & School offers Penn Wood spirit wear items for sale at some events and organizes an online store a few times per year.

Volunteers Needed: 1-2

Volunteer Timeframe: Online store opened several times per year.

  

Sweetheart Dance

A winter family social where students can invite a family member to enjoy a night of music, crafts, and snacks.

Volunteers Needed: 4-6

Volunteer Timeframe: planning leading up to a Friday night in February (Snow date reserved too)

 

Teacher Appreciation (organized by Executive Board)

During Teacher Appreciation Week in May, this committee organizes treats and raffles in honor of our outstanding faculty & staff to say "thank you" for all their hard work throughout the school year.

 

Teacher Luncheons

On the two long days of teacher conferences, this committee organizes a luncheon for our teachers & staff to take a break and get some sustenance to keep them going. Home & School provides the decor and main items, but invites families to contribute via sign-up for additional items. Volunteers are needed to help with setup and clean up.

 

Volunteer Coordinator

Our volunteer coordinator solicits & organizes volunteers for Library, Homeroom Parents, and Classroom Parties. Additionally, they work with the office to check & track clearance status of our volunteers prior to events.

 

Yearbook

Published in June, the Penn Wood Yearbook captures the fun and excitement of the school year in pictures. Every class is featured along with special events and activities. Volunteers are needed to help collect & organize photos, design/layout of the year, and with ordering & distribution.

 

4th Grade Pennsylvania Day

Partnering with teachers, we organize a day of Pennsylvania-themed activities and presentations for 4th grade.

Volunteers Needed: 3-4

Volunteer Timeframe: 1 day in May

 

5th Grade Committee

Fifth grade is a big year for our students. All parents of these 5th graders are encouraged to join this committee which helps run Pretzel Fridays, supports the 5th grade field trips, end of year party, class gift to the school.

Volunteers Needed: many

Volunteer Timeframe: weekly for pretzel handout, May/June for party