HSA EVENTS & VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES

                                     

                                                                     

The HSA depends on parents to encourage volunteering their time, talents, ideas, experience, and energy. Many parents are uncertain how to get involved due to working full-time, little ones at home, etc. Most of the opportunities have flexibility—please contact us with with any questions—and we welcome suggestions on future events and programs.

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These HSA events simply would not be possible without all the help the HSA generously receives from the Travell community. Please sign up for volunteer spots, thank you!

 

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HELPING OUR COMMUNITY

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Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch (Fall) Help with the annual Bag a Lunch, Help a Bunch program to help provide aid to families in our community who are food insecure. Collect change and donations from students on one day in the fall.

 

Bags to Benches Recycling Program (Sept-April) Help coordinate the Bags to Benches recycling challenge from Trex by periodically plastic wrapping from recycling bins at Travell.                

                                   

Hospitality (Sept) Help coordinate and set up breakfast on the first day of school in the Tiger’s Den cafeteria and refreshments for Back to School Night in September in the Travell gym.

 

LSHSA Representative (Year-Round) Be the liaison with the Learning Services Home & School Association, the group that provides support, education, and information to families across the district who have children receiving special education. The LSHSA is a parent-to-parent network that offers resources, information, and networking opportunities to families and welcomes all who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, whether they receive services in Ridgewood or have an out-of-district placement.

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Safety (Year-Round) Help maintain safety during dropoff and pickup and maintain relations with the school crossing guards. Also help handle the Helping Hands Program.

                                            

Service Day (Details to Follow)

                                                                                                  

Teacher Appreciation Week (April-May) Help plan events such as door decorations, the luncheon, and gifts for Teacher Appreciation Week in May.

                                                    

Travell Cares (Year-Round) Join to help cook, provide child care, and/or drive for any family in crisis on an as-needed basis. Any family needing assistance may contact the principal, HSA presidents, or the Travell Cares chair. Additionally, in special cases funds may be provided to the school to cover certain school-related expenses for a student in need. Confidentiality is always maintained.

 

Welcoming Committee (Year-Round) Help all new families get acquainted with school traditions, policies, events, and one another. Organize kindergarten playdate/meetings at the Travell playground in July/August and other events as needed. Contact new families who move to Travell throughout the school year. Connect new families with a “Go-To Parent” in which parents new to Travell are paired with existing Travell parents starting over the summer.

 

 

SOCIAL EVENTS

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Adult Social (Fall) Join the committee to help plan this casual adult get-together that is our first social of the year.

 

Back to School Picnic (Sept) Help plan and volunteer at our annual family social kicking off the school year and featuring an outdoor cookout, DJ, ice cream, and more.     

                                             

Bagel Day (Year-Round) Help organize and set up the four before-school Bagel Days in the Tiger’s Den cafeteria, where students get to have breakfast with their friends.

  

Bingo Night (Jan) Coordinate a fun-filled family event on a Friday night at Travell, helping at the prize and concession tables as well as calling bingo numbers.

  

Ladies’ Night (Winter) Help plan this popular social for Travell moms, a fun night off!

  

Men’s Night (March) Help plan this annual tradition held during March Madness that brings Travell dads together for a fun night of sports and socializing.

 

Scoop Night at Ben & Jerry’s (Spring) Teachers do the scooping for students at Ben & Jerry’s at this popular early evening weekday event. Coordinate with teachers, publicize, and be on hand to make sure the event runs smoothly.

 

 

WORKING WITH STUDENTS

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Art Docent (Year-Round) Share a work of art with your child's class by leading an approximately 30-minute discussion and/or doing a simple project that relates to the work or artist, on one of four TICTOC Tuesdays during the school year. No art training is required, just enthusiasm! Learn more about being a docent at TICTOC, an organization that works with 17 area schools. 

 

Class Parent (Year-Round) Serve as liaison with teachers and for HSA events. Solicit classroom volunteers for field trips, art docent, Mayfair, etc. Must read eNews and make sure parents are up-to-date on school info. Will coordinate and plan a grade-level social for students in their grade’s assigned month. Must attend Travell HSA General Meetings.

                                            

Drama Club (Dec-Feb) Act as liaison between parents and a local children’s theater organization. Assist with auditions for third to fifth graders and practices, and coordinate volunteers who chaperone rehearsals and performances, help with costumes, and sell concessions.

 

 

FUNDRAISING

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Auction (Sept-April planning; early April event) Join the Auction Committee! Volunteers request donations beginning in the fall; help plan the April event; set up and help out at the event. This is Travell’s biggest fundraiser and biggest adult social, held every other year.

    

BoxTops for Education (Year-Round) Coordinate the collection of BoxTops. This Travell  “free-raiser” makes close to $1,000 a year. Prizes are given to individuals and classes!

 

Scrip Grocery Store Cards (Year-Round) Help coordinate this important and most profitable “free-raiser.” Parents order grocery store cards through the HSA and the grocery store donates a percentage of the order to Travell. Help publicize and distribute the cards.

                                                     

Stop & Shop A+ Rewards Program (Sept-March) For this “free-raiser,” help promote the program, encourage online registration of the Stop & Shop A+ Rewards card, and tally results. Travell earns a percentage of all purchases.

 

Travell Wear (Year-Round) Help with the purchase and selling of clothing promoting our school and school pride!

 

 

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE                        

 

Bake Sales (Year-Round) Bake for bake sales and help sell treats at various school functions including the Halloween Parade, Winter Concerts, Spring Concerts, and other school events as needed.

                                          

Creative Committee (Year-Round) Help promote creativity at Travell through bulletin board projects, art displays in front lobby, grade level art projects relating to the Travell auction, and bringing art to our social functions.

                                                     

Directory (Sept-Oct) Help compile, type, and proofread data for the printed guide that combines the school handbook and contact information for the Travell community. Assist in distributing directories to classrooms.

                                                     

Directory Ad Sales (June-Aug) Sell advertisements (eight pages max) to local businesses for the Directory.                                                    

Garden Club (Year-Round) Help maintain and beautify Travell’s grounds. Plant new bulbs and plants and help maintain the gardens and school grounds.

 

School Photos (Sept) Help publicize the picture day date, distribute order forms, and on picture day organize students and assist photographers.

                                                      

School Supplies (March-Aug) Help make school supply shopping easy and convenient for both parents and teachers while raising funds for Travell! Help coordinate and deliver supply boxes and sort supplies as needed.

 

Yearbook (Year-Round) Help oversee the production of the annual Travell Yearbook. Compile photos and lay out pages; collect 5th grade baby photos, parent dedications, favorites; track photos coming in from parent submissions; coordinate yearbook sales through eNews; distribute yearbooks at 5th grade book signing party and to classrooms.          

 

                                   

BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

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Book Fair (Nov) Help publicize the book fair, set up and take down displays, work as a cashier, and help students select books.

                                                     

Library (Year-Round) Help schedule parents who volunteer in the library. Volunteers help out in the library during time slots their children’s class visits the library, a one-hour once or twice monthly daytime commitment. Alternates are also welcome. There is a training session each September for new volunteers and alternates. 

 

Reading Marathon and Book Swap (Jan-March; May-June) For the Reading Marathon, help plan a full month of reading and supporting our school and the Village library! Volunteers promote the February marathon; distribute forms; tally books and pages read; and award medals and Ben & Jerry’s coupons. For the Book Swap in June, students donate gently used books in May to swap for and purchase “new” ones to take home.

 

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SPECIAL TRAVELL EVENTS

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Field Day (June) Help run games and activities at this outdoor event overseen by Mrs. Lauro, our P.E. specialist, and held during the school day.

  

Fourth of July Float and Parade (June-July) Join other Travell families in designing, building, and marching with our float through the Village.

 

International Expo (Jan-May) Celebrate Travell’s diversity by coordinating country poster displays, acting as an ambassador during classroom visits, and helping to oversee the evening parade of nations, international food court, and show performances. The International Expo takes place during the school day and one evening in May.

                                                     

Mayfair (Feb-May) Help plan our annual fun family event for Travell—and the entire Village! This spring carnival is held on a Saturday in May on Travell grounds. Fun activities, including bouncy houses, games, prizes, a cake walk, face-painting, dunking booth, food, and more! Mayfair provides a memorable day for families in our school and community.

                                                      

Science Fair (March) Help coordinate, organize, and set up Science Fair projects for all grades at Travell for one day (class visits) and evening (family visits) during the week before Super Science Saturday at Ridgewood High School.

  

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FOR FOURTH GRADE PARENTS

                                                   

Fifth Grade Circus (Oct) Help out with concessions and prizes at this fun evening event starring fifth grade students.

 

Fifth Grade Recognition (June) Help oversee this celebration of fifth graders by organizing food, photos, and decorations.

 

 

FOR FIFTH GRADE PARENTS      

                                              

Fifth Grade Class Trip: Reservations, Meals, T-Shirt (Yearlong-June) Be part of the core group of fifth grade parents working with the principal and teachers to plan the class trip in June. Coordinate parent RSVPs (collect checks, keep spreadsheet of deposits and payments); food (breakfast, meals, snacks) and T-shirts (design, orders, printing).

 

Fifth Grade Graydon Day (June) Help coordinate a weekday visit in June for fifth graders at Graydon. Order lunch and snacks and oversee light decorating of the Graydon picnic area on the day of event.                                  

                                            

Fifth Grade Yearbook Party (June) Plan and run this fun end-of-year event for fifth graders when they receive their yearbooks before the other grades and exchange autographs with classmates.

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Please note details are subject to change.