Stratfield School PTA

PTA COMMITTEES - 2010-2011

Committee Chairs for 2010-2011
To co-chair a committee for 2010-2011, please click here to download the form.

BINGO - Due to popular demand, two bingo sessions are held on the same night. Chairs submit appropriate paperwork to the state and oversee the evening's event. Volunteers are needed to solicit prizes, sell tickets, and hand out bingo cards, prizes and refreshments.

BLUEFISH - This event generally occurs in the late spring at the Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Chairs are responsible for meeting with the appropriate team representatives to plan the outing and coordinate ticket sales. Accurate record-keeping and attention to detail are required.

FAMILY FAIR - This annual spring fair is held on Stratfield School grounds. (May be relocated during construction). Chairs are needed to plan/coordinate the event. Volunteers are needed to staff booths such as ticket sales, games, raffle, refreshments and food. Event requires that everyone in the school volunteer to help with at least one activity or booth.

ICE SKATING PARTY - Held in November on Veteran's Day. Chairs book venue and plan event held at the chosen rink. Volunteers are needed to sell tickets and coordinate refreshments.

KINDERGARTEN EVENTS - Co-Chairs coordinate a social or similar event(s) for incoming Kindergarten parents and kids to meet and socialize. Co-Chairs have only a one-year commitment.

SCHOOL SPIRIT DAY - - This event is really designed to be a "fun" day for the students. Chair/volunteers are needed to help coordinate any activities planned, such as "ice cream sundaes," and develop any special themes for the day.

SOUND TIGERS - This event generally occurs in the winter at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Chair is responsible for meeting with the appropriate team representatives to plan the outing and coordinate ticket sales. Accurate record-keeping and attention to detail are required.

VARIETY SHOW - A number of chairs are needed to produce this event:
    Chairperson - coordinate show, schedule rehearsals, and work with Principal on logistics and technical aspects of show.
    Asst. Chair - comfortable using Excel.
    Production Mgr. - comfortable using Excel.
    Volunteer Coord. - scheduling of adult volunteers.
    Stage Mgr. - scenery, stage props and music.
    Box Office - ticket sales.
    Publicity/Photo - weekly flier notices, newsletter, newspaper and pictures.
Volunteers are needed to help with the children during rehearsals as well as during the show, help with scenery, taking photographs, collecting tickets, etc. Time commitment will vary with responsibilities.

BESTOW-A-BOOK - Chairs process requests, send notifications and prepare books that have been purchased by families and staff for donation to library.

HEALTH, SAFETY & FITNESS COMMITTEE - Address issues that contribute to the well-being of children at Stratfield. Develop a few projects each year that will improve the health, safety and nutritional environment of our school in coordination with the school staff. Liaison/communicate and work with PTA Council Wellness committee. Volunteers are needed to help run various wellness events and programs.

FIFTH-GRADE ACTIVITIES - Chairs work with fifth-grade teachers and Principal to coordinate this graduation event, picking a theme and overseeing decorations, food, set-up, clean-up, etc. Includes fifth grade field day preparation and set-up. Also includes fifth grade student art display and yearbook. Parent volunteers are recruited as needed. This is a one-year commitment.

FUEL FOR LEARNING PARTNERSHIP - FLP encourages Fairfield County parents, students, teachers, food service staff and Board of Education members to jointly pursue the common goal of serving safe, high quality, nutritional meals to the students of Fairfield. Meetings are held once a month. School representatives will report back to their school PTAs and community.

LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER RESOURCES - If you want the opportunity to see the children at work, the library/media center is a great place to volunteer. Chairs organize and schedule volunteers, providing a welcome/thank-you meeting at the beginning/end of year. Volunteers are needed to help with the basic library maintenance tasks, such as shelving and checking out books. Your commitment to this committee can be as little as one hour a week. No siblings allowed. Try job sharing with a friend every other week.

ROOM PARENT COORDINATORS - Chairs select Room Parents for each class from list of volunteers, plan an information meeting at the beginning of the school year and assist room parents throughout the year.

ROOM SPACE COORDINATOR - This person helps to schedule all after-school activities and events in available classrooms.

SCHOOL BEAUTIFICATION/CLASSROOM BANNERS - This committee beautifies our school inside and out with landscaping and fall and spring clean-ups, and by placing plaques and pictures in the halls and updating bulletin boards. Also updates the banners throughout the school as staff and room assignments change. Chairs coordinate work required with Student Art Display chairs and solicit volunteers as needed. The outdoor portion of this committee will be suspended during construction.

SUNSHINE/HIGHLIGHT NEW STUDENTS - Responsible for sending cards, flowers, etc. to those in the school community experiencing family milestones. Responsibilities also include highlighting/introducing new students.

TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK - Chairs coordinate week-long meals (breakfasts and lunches) for 80+ teachers and staff. Responsibilities include: Organizing a menu for the week, soliciting parents to contribute baked items, salads, etc., purchasing paper goods, beverages, and catered items. Cleaning out Teacher's Room, setting up and cleaning up each day, and purchasing special gifts.

TEACHER GRANTS - This program is dedicated to enhancing the curriculum at Stratfield. Chairs solicit and review detailed proposals from teachers. Joint proposals are encouraged. Responsibilities include establishing criteria for grant proposals, working with the PTA co-presidents and Principal to evaluate proposals, and awarding available funds.

TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS - This program is a comprehensive resource to help schools maintain a healthy environment in school buildings by identifying, correcting, and preventing Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) problems. The team consists of the principal, nurse, head custodian, teachers and parents.

ABOVE & BEYOND BEFORE- AND AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM - This is a great way to get involved at school, share your talents with our children, and bring in rewarding programs for students of all grades. This committee is responsible for organizing and overseeing after-school activities. Duties will include selecting instructors, setting schedules, reserving space, signing up children and recruiting parent volunteers. Time commitment varies and you will not be expected to be at every session of the program.

AUDUBON/ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS - This supplement to the K-2 science program is designed to develop a basic understanding and appreciation for the environment. Chair is responsible for coordinating and scheduling volunteers at each grade level and acting as liaison with Audubon. Volunteers attend training sessions at the Connecticut Audubon Society and make a classroom presentation three times during the school year. Time commitment required is one 1-hour training session and 1-½ hours to set up and present in the classroom for each of the three events. A great opportunity to get in the classroom!

CELEBRATE MATH - Chairs pick a theme and schedule a variety of events to generate excitement about math.

CELEBRATE READING/TURN OFF TV WEEK - This is a combined event. Chairs for this reading incentive work closely with the Media Center staff. This event involves planning and monitoring the reading incentive program using a past theme or fresh ideas, tracking student logs and graphing weekly progress, providing and monitoring ideas for Turn off Your TV Week, and organizing a final celebration day luncheon which that guest readers. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of an educational program to motivate students to read.

LEARNING TO LOOK - "L2L" is a PTA-sponsored art appreciation program taught in K-5 by parent volunteers. Co-chairs are preferred to have two years of L2L experience. Students learn to identify the basic elements of art (color, line, shape, texture, light & space) and use them to explore famous works, through informal discussion and fun activities. Volunteers (both moms and dads welcome!) teach 6 lessons throughout the year, about one every six weeks. An art background is not required - lessons are scripted, and training is provided. If you like art, and want to become involved in your child's classroom in a unique and meaningful way, this is your chance!
Click here to view the "L2L" lessons by grade.

MEMORIAL DAY PARADE - This committee coordinates our students' participation in Fairfield's annual parade (State Map Puzzle). Time commitment is heavy in May for frequent after-school practices. This is traditionally open to 3rd, 4th, and 5th Graders only.

MEMORIAL/VETERANS REMEMBRANCE DAY - The chairs are responsible for planning and organizing a simple program for each of the two days to commemorate our veterans.

MILL RIVER WETLANDS - Grades 3,4,5 - This program teaches an understanding of the river, human management of the river and watershed dynamics. This program offers a unique opportunity to take part in your child's education as well as to gain perspective on the structure of the environment. No experience is necessary! Guides are trained by the Mill River Study Group for a specific grade level and then lead three study field trips at that grade level. Third grade tours begin in early fall, fourth grade in late fall, and fifth grade in early fall and spring. This requires a substantial time commitment during the specified seasons and for training classes.

REFLECTIONS - Reflections is a PTA-sponsored cultural arts program that encourages students to express their thoughts and feelings through creative arts. Every year a theme is chosen and students create original work at home/school in four categories: literature, visual arts, photography and music. Chairs help with publicity, judging, mounting and displaying of entries.

SEPTA (Special Ed.) - Chairs oversee Diversity Day, design/plan other programs to foster understanding of people with special needs, and provide support as needed to special education teachers.

STRATFIELD CONNECTION (NEWSLETTER) - This publication is a work-in progress and can be formatted as co-chairs see fit. This has existed as either a newsletter or a newspaper with graphics and articles written by students. One co-chair is the graphics editor, and the other co-chair is the content editor. Volunteers are needed to assist in writing articles and features, editing and typing. Time commitment varies depending on the job.

COMMUNICATION/TECHNOLOGY - Computer-savvy chairs needed to oversee the PTA website and all electronic communication with parents. Two people for communications (check e-mail, back-and-forth with co-chairs, central office, etc); two for formatting the blurbs/attachments into html and posting them on the website (HTML experience helpful but not necessary); and two to e-mail out the Tuesday blast/Friday Flier. A great at-home volunteer opportunity! Current chairs will train newcomers.

COMMUNITY KIDS - The goal of this committee is to increase all students' awareness of social issues through curriculum-related projects and monthly after-school meetings. Chairs are responsible for finding worthwhile community projects, interfacing with school staff and coordinating monthly activities. Individual volunteers are asked to commit 1-2 hours per month in various capacities.

GREEN COMMITTEE - This committee helps the Stratfield community integrate consideration of the environment into home and school life by improving its recycling practices, encouraging more Walk to School Days, holding regular reduce-reuse-recycle collections, working with the Inter-School Green Committee, and sending weekly Green Tips in the Friday Flier. More projects are on tap!

HOSPITALITY - Chairs are responsible for overseeing the provision of refreshments for various school functions. Volunteers are needed to provide refreshments for various school functions, including PTA meetings, during the school year.

MEMBERSHIP - Chair is needed to organize membership drive and collect PTA dues.

NEW PARENT RECEPTION - This fall social event gives parents who are new to the school an opportunity to meet and socialize with other parents and members of the PTA Executive Board. Chairs are responsible for organizing and hosting the party, traditionally held at the home of one of the chairs. This is a one-year commitment.

OPERATION HOPE - This committee coordinates and delivers a monthly PTA-sponsored dinner provided for the residents of Operation Hope. Monthly meals will be assigned by grade level and coordinated by the committee representative for that grade.

PUBLICITY/SIGNAGE - Responsible for creating public awareness of events and activities using different mediums of communication such as radio, newspaper, posters, etc.. This person also is responsible for informing the Stratfield community of events and important information by placing signs around school.

SCHOOL CALENDAR - Responsible for collating pertinent school information and collecting donations to offset printing costs for the annual calendar. Oversee production from design to distribution.

SCHOOL DIRECTORY - The directory consists of important school information, i.e.: phone numbers, class lists, staff, etc. Chairs/volunteers assemble information, oversee printing and distribute directory.

SCHOOL PICTURES - School Pictures of individual students and classes are taken by a professional photographer. Chair acts as an interface between school and photographer. Volunteers are needed to usher classes to and from the photo sessions and prepare orders for the photographer. Those involved should be able to commit for the entire morning or afternoon, as needed.

STRATFIELD YEARBOOK - Several chairs work with the chosen yearbook company to set a production schedule, design and lay out the book, collect photos and art, take orders and distribute the yearbooks in the spring. The yearbook company provides easy-to-use software and training. A fun job for scrapbooking enthusiasts and other creative types!

VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS - Responsible for soliciting chairs and volunteers for all PTA committees. Chairs coordinate all volunteer forms, committee reports and folders. Responsibilities also include communicating with PTA co-presidents as needed. Commitment throughout the year is required, with the majority of work required late spring and early September.

AUCTION 2012 - This biennial event is the largest fundraiser for the PTA. Multiple chairs are needed to oversee the various activities of the event. This involves a SUBSTANTIAL time commitment to plan, solicit merchandise and arrange location and set-up of the auction. Volunteers are needed to solicit merchandise, set up, clean up, and write thank-you notes and much more! Co-chairs are solicited the year prior for a one-time commitment.

BOOK FAIR - Three-day event - Multiple chairs organize and order books and supplies. One chair is designated as the liaison with Scholastic. Substantial time commitment is needed during the week of the Fair. Volunteers are needed to set up merchandise, assist the students with their selections and act as salespeople. Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available.

BOX TOPS - Chair is in charge of box top program. Volunteers needed to help collect and send box tops in for reimbursement.

NOTE CARDS - This fundraiser is held in alternate years. Children design note cards that are then professionally printed. Chairs organize, sort and distribute orders. Volunteers assist as needed. This is a one-year commitment.

SPIRIT WEAR - Chairs are responsible for researching and determining various items (i.e sweatshirts, t-shirts, water bottles etc.) that would support and enhance spirit with the school's logo.

SUPER DUPER WEENIE NIGHT - Prearranged night when Stratfield families can go to Super Duper Weenie during specified hours (usually during dinner hours), and percentage of gross sales go to the PTA.