Current Volunteer Schedules:
June Recess | June Lunch Room (not hot lunch)
Contacts for Volunteers: List of Chairpersons & Coordinators
Class Sponsored Events
Breakfast With Santa (Kindergarten Parents)
This popular event is hosted by the kindergarten and is a great event for families and children of all ages. Volunteers will be needed to help set-up, serve, decorate, sell raffle tickets and clean-up. We are looking for one chairman, several committee chairpersons as well as many volunteers from the kindergarten parents.
Christmas Boutique (First Grade Parents)
Many volunteers are needed for this great day! We need shoppers to purchase items to sell and crafty people to make items to sell. We need help staffing the various booths, helping the younger children shop and set/clean up. This is one of our favorite days at St. Thomas. Please join us! We are looking for two/three chairpersons as well as volunteers from the entire school.
Hospitality (Second Grade Parents)
Volunteers are needed to organize three small events. The New Parent Welcome Picnic, which is an event held in August to welcome new families and match them with mentors from current families. The New Family Coffee in October and the Kindergaten/8th grade Graduation Reception following the 8th grade graduation mass in June. We are looking for one chairman as well as a many volunteers from the second grade parents.
Family Ice Cream Social & Monster Mash Pizza Party (Third Grade Parents)
Join us for a fun night out for the entire family. Volunteers are needed at the Family Ice Cream Social to help set-up, serve, decorate, sell tickets and clean-up at this family night! This is a fun-filled evening for the entire family in February. We are looking for one chairman as well as many volunteers from the third grade parents.
Also, The Monster Mash Pizza Party is a Halloween dance, which would include a music and pizza social for the children. Volunteers will be needed to help set-up, serve, decorate, and clean-up. We are looking for one chairman as well as a many volunteers from the third grade parents.
Walk-a-thon (Fourth Grade Parents)
This event takes place in October. Parents and local corporate businesses sponsor our students to walk. Volunteers are needed to solicit local businesses (most are repeat) to become sponsors and to help promote family participation in this event. We are looking for two chairpersons. All fourth grade parents are expected to participate.
Annual Raffle (Fifth Grade Parents)
This is a huge money maker for the school. The school will raffle off $5000 to travel, $2500 to Stop n’ Shop and $1000 to Circuit City. Raffle tickets need to be printed and distributed to all of the parish members. Also, organize selling the tickets at different venues. This is a Summer/Fall event. We are looking for two chairpersons. All fifth grade parents are expected to participate.
Field Day & Welcome Back Beach Party (Sixth Grade Parents)
Field day is a half-day event of games and races geared towards the ages of the students involved. Volunteers are needed to plan the events and supplies and to help on the day of the event. You will help by escorting the class from one event to another, coordinating games etc … We are looking for two chairpersons as well as a many volunteers from the sixth grade parents.
Also, the sixth grade will be in charge of organizing the Welcome Back Party at Penfield Pavilion in September. Volunteers will be needed to help set-up, serve, decorate, sell raffle tickets and clean-up. We are looking for two chairpersons to plan the event as well as volunteers from the sixth grade parents.
The Family Picnic & Class Night (Seventh grade classes)
The seventh grade parents are responsible for the organization, contributions, and execution of both the family picnic and class night. The family picnic is a fundraiser for the 7th grade to begin their Eighth Grade Trip Fund. The family picnic is held on school grounds at the end of the year. Cook out & games for the school. Volunteers are needed to help in many areas such as BBQing, working booths, children's games, raffle and refreshments, etc. We are looking for two chairpersons as well as a many volunteers from the seventh grade parents.
Class night is a traditional dinner served by the 7th grade for the 8th graders and their parents just before graduation. This is a great opportunity for working parents to have some fun and meet friends. We are looking for two chairpersons as well as a many volunteers from the seventh grade parents.
Wreath & Pointsettia Sale (8th grade parents)
Orders for our annual Poinsettia Sale are taken in October/November and the festive plants arrive in early December. We need volunteers to help on pick-up day. We are looking for a chairman to organize the order process and coordinate student and parent volunteers.
Classroom Based Activities
Art in the Classroom (K thru 5th grade parents)
An art appreciation program for grades K-5. Volunteers present one of six sessions throughout the year, each focusing on a well-known artist. The time commitment is an hour per session plus preparation time. No art history background is necessary. This can be done solo or as a team. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
C.A.N.E (CT Audubon Nature Explorers) (K thru 2nd grade parents)
Participate in your child's K-2nd science curriculum by volunteering for this program sponsored by CT Audubon Society. Each class could use 2-3 volunteers who are thoroughly trained by the Audubon staff in topics such as "Animals preparing for winter: and "Seashore Life". The class is visited three times during the school year. No science or teaching experience necessary, just the love of the out-of-doors and children. Each presentation will take about 2 hours of training at the Audubon. We are looking for a coordinator for each grade as well as several volunteers.
 Mill River Guides (K thru 2nd grade parents)
Participate in your child's 3rd-5th-science curriculum by guiding small group tours through Mill River. The Mill River Wetland Committee provides a thorough training (1 indoor/1 outdoor class) on Fairfield's river basin system. Your commitment is to lead 3 or 4 tours, each about 1-1/2 hours long. No previous science or teaching experience is necessary. We are looking for a coordinator for each grade as well as several volunteers.
Room Parents
This is the best way to become involved with your child's class. Two parents are needed per class to assist the teacher with class parties, field trips and other special events. If more than two parents sign up for a class, the position will be filled by lottery. In addition, the room parents will be asked to help with the teacher appreciation luncheon, teacher coffee and flower day. We are looking for a coordinator (this is an Home School Association board position) as well as volunteers. Please note: Kindergarten room parents are asked to take care of Kindergarten Field Day & the Kindergarten graduation beach party.
Beyond The Bell
This organization will be in charge of bringing after school activities to St. Thomas, such programs may include; parent & child book club, Knitting, French & Spanish, Beading, Art and Cartooning, Little Scientist, Kindersports, Little Olympics, Running Club, Flag Football, Karate, Yoga, Audubon classes and Junior Great Books. We will need volunteers to organize the activities, take enrollment and in some cases lead or help with classes. We are looking for many volunteers.
Junior Great Books
This is an interpretive reading, writing and discussion program for children of all ages and reading abilities. No previous teaching experience is necessary. Become a trained leader through our one-day workshop conducted by the junior Great Books Foundation at the Fairfield Public Library. Lead small group discussions, which meet for 1/2 hour once a week for 6-10 weeks. Each class could use 2-3 leaders. The Junior Great Books program is an adventure in thinking! Share this lively educational experience with your child. We are looking for volunteers.
Odyssey of the Mind
Odyssey of the Mind is a club, which we would like to reinstitute at St Thomas which involves creative problem-solving in a competitive environment. Students as young as kindergarten may participate but it is best suited for fourth grade and up. Team members work together at length to solve a predefined problem (the Long Term problem); and present their solution to the problem at a competition. They must also generate spontaneous answers to a problem they have not seen before; this is the Spontaneous competition. This would be an after-school program that would meet approximately once per week, then compete periodically.
Chess Club
Leaders and volunteers needed for weekly meetings after school for 6th – 8th graders.
Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts
Leaders and volunteers needed for monthly meetings on and off school premises.
One Time Events & Fundraisers
Book Fair
Volunteers are needed to set up merchandise, assist children with their selections, act as salespersons the days of the fair, and pack up merchandise the final evening. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Gift Wrap
Volunteers needed for tallying and distributing orders. This is a good position for working parents or someone with a preschooler. We are looking for a coordinator as well as a few volunteers.
Holiday Bazaar
We are looking for one coordinator to arrange with vendors and help publicize a fun adult shopping day which takes place in December.
Capital Photo Fundraiser
This fundraiser usually takes place in the fall. It involves sending out two flyers and possibly a few e mails. You collect the money from St. Thomas families and pass them along to Capital Photo. We are looking for a coordinator.
Catholic School Week
We traditionally celebrate Catholic Schools Week in late January/early February. We celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a number of fun activities for our students and their families. We will need some help with set-up, baking and serving for the events listed below. Open house for new families considering St. Thomas School, Parent's Special Morning, Special Person's Day. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Missoula Children's Theater
Volunteers are needed to assist in organizing a week long after school camp and performance once in the spring. No experience needed. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Let's Go to the Movies
A special outing for fathers and their sons at the community theater. Help organize this event. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Basket Bonanza
Basket Bonanza is the “Friends of St. Thomas” (a.k.a. Development Committee) major fundraising activity, consisting of a basket pre-sale and dinner. Many sub-committees must be organized and staffed to begin planning in the fall for the spring event. We are looking for chairpersons, several sub-committee chairpersons (decoration, printed materials, class projects, set-up & tear down, bar & catering, publicity) as well as many volunteers.
Golf Tournament
The Golf Tournament is a “Friends of St. Thomas” (a.k.a. Development Committee) fundraising activity, consisting of an annual golf outing and dinner held in September. We are looking for two chairpersons annually as well as volunteers for the sub-committees.
The School Directory
This is the indispensable school telephone book with lists of every class, families and other school contact numbers. Volunteers work in late summer and September to organize and verify lists of family names, addresses and phone numbers. We are looking for two people to prepare and complete the directory. This is a great activity for working parents or those needing flexibility. We are looking for a Chairman to coordinate this booklet.
Ongoing Throughout the School Year–During School Hours
Library
K, 1st and 2nd grade parent volunteers are needed to assist throughout the school year with reading books to the children, filing, carding, typing, mending and shelving books, checking in new materials, locating information and assist classes in the use of the library for children. We are looking for a coordinator as well as many volunteers.
School Store
Volunteers are needed to assist in the operation of the school store, which is typically open every Friday from 7:25-8:00 am. Schedules will be on a rotating basis based on the number of volunteers. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
 Recess Monitors
Volunteers are needed to attend recess to help teachers monitor children. This is a once or twice a month commitment between approximately 11:20-1:00. You will not be able to bring younger siblings. We are looking for a coordinator as well as many volunteers.
Lunch Room Monitors
Volunteers are needed to attend the lunchroom to help teachers monitor children. This is a once or twice a month commitment between approximately 11:20-1:00. You will not be able to bring younger siblings. We are looking for a coordinator as well as many volunteers.
Hot Lunch
This program runs daily with both hot and cold menus served to the children. At least three volunteers are needed daily. This will be a rotating volunteer schedule, approximately once a month, depending on the number of volunteers.
Ongoing Throughout the Year–At Your Leisure
Publicity
This committee is responsible for promoting St. Thomas School to the community through articles and photographs submitted to local papers. They also document school events and achievements with photographs and display boards such as the bulletin board in front of the school. We need a few volunteers to assist with photography and gathering information for articles. We are looking for many volunteers.
Newsletter
This is our school community newsletter, which is published on a monthly basis. We are looking for several people who enjoy "gathering" the news, editing submissions, writing short announcements or "snapping" photos at school events. The coordinator for this job should be able to make an electronic newsletter that can be sent through e-mail. This is a great activity for working parents or those needing flexibility. We are looking for a coordinator as well as a few volunteers.
Friday Flash
Gather the information for the week. Put it in an e-mail and send a mass e-mail to the school weekly. Computer knowledge is helpful, but not necessary. This is a great activity for working parents or those needing flexibility. We are looking for a coordinator.
Website
One coordinator is needed to assist our web designer with copy and content this year.
Box Tops for Education
We need people to assist in the collection, trimming, and mailing of General Mills products' box tops which we redeem for cash to fund school programs and purchases. This is an excellent position for the mother of a preschooler, since it can be done at your convenience. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Enrichment
Enrichment is an opportunity for parents to arrange and schedule fabulous curriculum-enhancing programs for the children and parents. Find out about lectures in town that are significant to our children and keep the school informed. Also, set up new programs that pertain to the issues of our school, “Child Lures”, “Targeting Bullying in our Schools”, etc. Time requirements are meeting with other members a couple of times throughout the year, making phone calls to book the programs, and attending the performance. Please support the school and bring new ideas by volunteering your time. We are looking for volunteers.
Sports Committee
These parents and others are involved in managing the sports/basketball program at St Thomas. This group assumes a supervisory role for the various teams, coaches, schedules, uniforms, participation fees and the annual St Thomas Basketball Tournament, held in the fall. This group meets approximately monthly throughout the school year and requires some additional time to manage Committee affairs.
Communications Envelopes
Help the office send home all notices. This is a rotating schedule, the commitment is about once per month.
Guardian Angels
These are the “Big Buddies” for new school families. They help new families become acquainted with the school and provide an important service as ambassadors of goodwill. They are available to answer questions about school snacks, homework policies, Basket Bonanza and other things not covered in the handbook. We are looking for volunteers to pair with a new family for the school year. The program benefits families transferring in from other areas and local schools and first time kindergarten families. We are looking for a coordinator as well as volunteers.
Beautification Committee
This group would be in charge of beautification for the outside of the school. In the Fall and Spring the committee would plant flowers and mulch around the beds.
Parent Teacher Organization –Positions
President: The President shall preside at meetings of this Association and shall be the Home School representative on the Parish Council. The President shall perform all duties incumbent on this office. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.
Vice-President: The Vice-President, in the absence of the President shall perform all the duties of the president and such mutually-agreed upon by the President and the Vice President. This officer also is responsible to manage and report on any assessment obligations.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of receipts and disbursements belonging to the Home School Association and shall deposit all monies in the Home School account. The Treasurer shall disburse funds of the Home School Association as expenditures arise or as decided upon by the Board. The Treasurer will also give an account of all transactions and financial condition at each board meeting.
Secretary: The Secretary will keep minutes of all Board meetings and general membership meetings. The Secretary will give, or cause to be given, all notices required by the bylaws, and shall perform such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board or the President. In addition, this position is responsible for acknowledging birthdays and other special events for teachers and staff, thank you notes and sympathy cards to the school parents
Transition Chairperson/Outgoing Co-President: Serve second year to transition leadership as needed and help Board continuity
Fundraising Chairperson: Identifies and manages the various chair-people of the major fundraisers and reports on same to Board
Communication Chairperson: Newsletter and speakers for general meetings.
Volunteer Coordinator: Manages the volunteers for the numerous school events in which HSA has a role.
At-Large Positions: Additional Home School Association Positions filled on an as-needed basis.
|
