Volunteering at Community Montessori

Parent Involvement Opportunities 

SIT
The Community Montessori site-based governance structure is designed to effectively carry out the school’s vision and mission.  The governing organization is the School Improvement Team (SIT) which is made up of staff and parents.

PTA
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is made up of various committees that support the SIT through tactical planning and implementation.

There are currently several PTA committees supporting the school:  Community Relations, Equity, Facilities, Finance, Fundraising, Membership, Public Relations, and Technology.

For current committee chairpersons see the current Parent Directory.

Community Relations 
• Plans and hosts the social/hospitality functions
Equity
• Works to foster an equitable school community
Facilities   
• Focuses on the maintenance and improvement of the physical school inside and out
Finance
• Maintains the budgets, funds, and record keeping
Fundraising
• Plans and executes fundraising events for the school and writes grants
Public Relations
• Facilitates communication between school and the community
Technology   
• Arranges for the programming and upgrading of computers within the classrooms

Membership

Parents volunteer to serve on committees.  There are no size limitations.  All volunteers are welcome.  A chairperson is chosen who is responsible for keeping the committee focused and facilitating progress.  Meetings are usually scheduled monthly.

You may contact any of the chairpersons if you would like to become involved with a committee.  It is a way for you to have a voice and to stay in touch with things that will affect your child’s school and education.

Social and School Events
During the school year various events are planned and run by parent volunteers.  Some of them are for fundraising and others are social in nature.  They all involve student participation.  Some of the events are planned to further support the school curriculum.

Here is a listing of some events:
Orientation Picnic          Music and Theater Performances
Meet and Greet              Book Bingo
Socials                             All School SIT-PTA Meetings 
End of Year Picnic        Parent Education

Room Parent Teams
Each class has a room parent or parents who volunteer their time to assist the teacher and help with all-school events. The room parents help plan field trips, social events, material making, as well as, provide academic support.  Room parents call on other parents for additional support when more help is needed.
It is not an expectation of the room parent to organize group gifts at any time of the year.

Classroom Volunteers
In class volunteers are always needed to assist teachers and children in various academic areas.  Responsibilities may include the following:  reading with children, weekly spelling tests, science projects, holiday celebrations, writing workshops, field trips, and special presentations. Teachers should be contacted for in class volunteer opportunities in their classroom.

Material Making
Material making and support is another important area where teachers need help.  Getting new materials ready for student use, particularly with new classroom setups, is always welcome.

Scholastic Book Club
Each class needs a parent volunteer Scholastic Book Club coordinator to organize monthly book orders.  See classroom teacher for details.

Fundraising
Fundraising is a necessary component of our efforts to create and sustain a quality Montessori program.  All of the Montessori materials in our classrooms have been purchased with money raised by the school community.  In addition, we have developed gardens, increased our library book collection, purchased P.E.  music and art equipment, and supported many other aspects of school function through parent-raised funds.  Unfortunately in this era of limited funding for public education, the need for individual school fundraising in all public schools will continue.  Please help in whatever way is comfortable for you so that we can improve our school and continue to provide the opportunity for any child to receive an excellent Montessori public education.

The following are some of the fundraising events that are either ongoing or occur on an annual basis at Community Montessori.  If you would like to be involved in any of these programs, please call the Fundraising Chairperson listed in the current Parent directory.

Personal Giving Campaign 
Each year we make a request for a donation from each family.  This fundraiser consistently raises the majority of our money.  There is no obligation to contribute and any amount of money is welcome and appreciated.

Sales
We periodically offer items for sale that you are likely to purchase or that are unique opportunities unavailable elsewhere.  By buying things through Community Montessori, you contribute a portion of the purchase price to the school.  Some of these fundraisers have included a Book Fair and Scholastic Book sales.

Others
Additionally, we write grants, have a basket auction and make tamales. Other fundraisers are make-a-plate, read-a-thon, kidz art and a garage sale.

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