Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to help at West Woodland during and after school hours. For classroom support, please speak directly with the teachers. For broader school involvement let us know of your interests contacting Martha Gizinski or Linda Joss.We will forward your information to the program chairs so they may contact you. Current committee chair contact information is listed when available so you may contact the chair directly for additional information.  

Art Docent Program

Auction

Our auction committee went all out in 2007 to provide a wonderful event that raised over $125,000!  Good, early planning and enthusiastic volunteers make this a successful event.  Chairs: Michelle Fasser (784-3056) and Marie Gill (or 789-2415). 

Ballard Parade

West Woodland Chess Team and Jump Rope team have marched in Ballard’s Norwegian Seventeenth of May Celebration parade for many years.  Contact Linda Joss if you’d like to chair this event.

Banking at School

Help receive students’ deposits at school and deliver deposits to the bank. Chair: Linda Grim 

Before-School and After-School Programs

Assist, instruct or organize an extra-curricular club or fee-based program. Programs have included Team Sports, Drawing, Roller Skating, Study club, Drama, Drumming, Mad Science, young Artists’ Academy, Language Clubs and Yoga.  Parents are welcome to bring new ideas to enhance our children’s education.  Contact Melanie Harville (or 706-9270).  See also “Wacky Wednesdays” for “one-shot” 2-hour after-school classes on early- release day and “Choir” and “Chess Club” for ongoing before/after school programs.

Book Fairs

One week of book sales held each Fall and Spring.  Sales earn funds and materials for our Library Resource Center.  Help with sales, set-up/clean-up, and assisting student customers is needed.  Chair: Paula Wittmann  (or 252.1581).

Book-It Drama Program

The Book-It All Over! Education and Community Outreach Program is a great literary and theatrical learning experience. This winter Book-It’s teaching artist will conduct a one-week workshop with our 4^th graders and five-week workshop with our 5^th grade students, which culminates with a play/performance . Third, Fourth and Fifth grade parents are invited to help organize. Chairs: Pam DeKeyser ( or 782.5866,)  and Stella Caldwell ( or 779-6089).

Bulletin board/sign making

Volunteer to help supervise children during lunchtime in the cafeteria and on the playground.  Many volunteers are needed so there will be coverage every day. Chair: Shannon Frizzell (or 706-8467)

Chess Club

Sponsored by the PTA, this club meets on Mondays after school and is open to all ages and abilities. Students of varying abilities learn to play chess with students from three instructors. Click here for more info on chess. Chess club always needs involved parent volunteers who can help check in/out and supervise players on Monday afternoons, arrange tournaments, and take photos. Chairs: Lynn Lee (or 632-4096) and Joe and Holly Salowey (789-7578)  

Choir

The before school (tuition supported) Choir Program is in its third year and going strong, due to the terrific help from parents.  Parents are needed to assist with registration, treasurer duties, chair set-up, and field trips.  The program is directed by a board of parents, contact Sean Kennedy (or 782-2650) for details.

Classroom Support

Assist in academics, art, science, field trips and material preparation. Your child’s teacher or the Room Representative will be connecting with you with ways in which you can help directly with the kids inside the classroom and/or at home on your own time.

Composting

Get educated by the students and become a composting consultant at PTA events. The kids can’t do it alone!  Contact Jennifer Johnson  to have the students teach you which materials are compostable.

Directory

Sign up now to help produce the annual school directory of faculty, staff, students, parents, volunteers and other school affiliates. Ad sales, cover design, proofreading and comb binding are areas where help is needed. The directory is a vital contact resource (inclusion is voluntary).  Contact Lisa Hahn (print production) 781-0194,  or Bill Bowers (database management) 782-4206,  if you would like to help.

Earth Club

This is an after school club which is led by a community volunteer.  Meetings begin in the fall.  The group could use help planning and chaperoning.  The Earth Club needs a chair person.

Environmental Stewardship Committee                                                                                           

This group of teachers and parents has an ambitious plan of assemblies, classroom projects, and school-wide awareness for this year.  The group meets monthly to support these programs as well as the school-wide composting.  Committee chairs: Jennifer Paris (or 789-6975), Gwen Drolet (or 789-2053,) and Lynn Lee (or 632-4096).

Family Events

Help with PTA events like Spirit Days, the Fall Festival, Family Movie Nights, Winter Faire, International Potluck, Science Night, and the end-of-the-year Blast. We are always looking for people to help set-up, serve, organize, direct traffic, collect monies, etc. Help where you can, every little bit is worthwhile.  There are fun events scheduled throughout the year, please pick one to help with or chair!   Chairs for International Pot Luck are still needed.

Field Day

This year-end all-school event is really FUN! Help set up and run events in the play field with our PE teacher. Events include sack race, water relay, tug of war and dunk tank, just to name a few. Our P.E. Teacher Katie Barrett is the chair (252.1585).

Food Drive                  

West Woodland Cares! Our Food Drives benefit Northwest Harvest and our local food bank, the Northend Emergency Fund/Ballard-Magnolia Food Bank. They’re wonderful programs that offer students an opportunity to learn more about social service agencies.  Donated non-perishable food collected outside classrooms and at school events help our community in need. We are looking for a chair.

Fund Raising Opportunities

Help the PTA develop corporate sponsorships and other community funding or help with current fundraisers.

• Annual Appeal (all year) PTA Board, Lisa Hahn  and Tara Lee 
• Bakes Sales (occasional), Annie Hayward and Chrissy Bauer 
• Ballard Market Receipts (year round) Ingrid Riley
• Boxtops for Education (year round) Ingrid Riley 
• Chinook Books (autumn) Jennifer Paris and Julie Johnson                
• Gift Wrap Sale (September), Deb Sundblad 
• FUNdraising:  Host a party and charge a fee that goes to the school (poker night, Bunko, teach a craft or activity, etc.), Shannon Frizzell or Martha Gizinski 
• Scrip/Gift Cards (all year), Ed Gore and Elizabeth Tsamakis 
• WW Logo Clothing Sales (all year) Christina Tom 

Grant Writing

Help teachers and staff to identify and match funding opportunities with special school projects and to get applications into shape. Help the PTA develop an organized procurement system to capture the funds and donations already available. If you have grant writing experience, contact Jodi Freeman (or 235-9053).

 Kindergarten Ice Cream Social , Spring 2009

This end of year event welcomes incoming families to West Woodland and is their chance to meet staff, families, teachers and new friends. Chair: Deb Sundblad (or 782-2212).

Kindergarten Tours January- February 2009

This important team organizes tours of West Woodland for prospective students and their families. Help assemble materials, show off our fabulous facility and answer questions. Chair: Cheri Guthrie (or 782-6182)

Legislative Liaison

The Legislative Liaison’s responsibilities are to stay abreast of education issues that impact the quality of public education in Washington State, Seattle Public Schools and specifically West Woodland. Legislative Liaisons find opportunities for parents to be informed and engaged. Committee members represent West Woodland at various community meetings/events and then report back to the PTA Board and general parent community. Co-chairs: Linda Grim (783-6189) and Heidi Bennett (789-5543).

Library Support

Shelve books to keep one of the most utilized libraries in the district organized and ready for student use. Explore all the wonderful resource materials and, literally, check them out! Regular help will allow more student and teacher support time in the library. Assist Paula Wittmann, Librarian (252.1581), with this and other rewarding tasks.

Marathon

Help with registration, awards, signs, and tallying miles at recess as West Woodlanders run each day through the fall, leading up to the Seattle Marathon finish in late November.  Contact P.E. teacher Katie Barrett (252.1585 ).

Movie Night

Join our team of parents who bring monthly movie nights for the whole family live to the cafeteria. Help with refreshments and logistics. Chair: Ed Gore (or 784.8540).

Music Docent Program

Similar to the Art Docent program: Music training is not required. There are lesson plans and scripts available for volunteers to lead 20-30 minute music lesson for a classroom each month. Classical music is used as a base, but lessons will vary depending the docent’s knowledge. Contact Jennifer Paris (789-6975,t) or Ava Fogelsonger (783-9963) for more information.

Nurse’s Office

Assist in the nurse’s office part-time when the nurse is off-site. Help on screening days, or give that extra TLC to children with bumps and scrapes. Training provided. Contact our nurse, Marie DeBell (or 252-1607).

Penny Harvest

Penny Harvest, a program sponsored by Solid Ground, is a great community building opportunity.  If our school is to participate, we need to find a chair soon.  For more information contact Martha Gizinski or go to Common Cents.

Photography

Let’s make sure we capture the great moments of the school year! Help organize the photographers among us so school events are covered and to get great pics to the web master, yearbook editor and others who need them. Volunteer coordinators send the list of volunteer photographers by request to any chairperson or teacher, but a photography pointperson would be helpful.

Recess Garden Club

This is a great opportunity for students and volunteers to experience the wonderful and fulfilling world of gardening. This program involves cultivating and nurturing plants on school grounds during recess, plus litter clean up and sweeping. Times and dates are weather dependent and to be announced. We are looking for a chair for head this club.

Reflections Art Program

Help facilitate this nationally sponsored arts competition in the fall. Entries in visual art, literature and music are accepted, and we need helpers to organize and display.  Need chair.

Room Representatives/Room Parents

Assist teachers with organizing and recruiting other classroom parents for special events, class prep, parties, field trips, staff appreciation, and science kits. Act as an important communication link between other parents in the classroom.. Much of it can be done from home.  Speak with your child’s teacher if you are interested or contact Gwen Drolet, the Room Rep Coordinator.

School Photos – Fall ’08 and Spring’09

Thursday, October 24th is Picture Day.  Melanie Harville (or 706-9270) is chairing this event and could use volunteers to help manage the crowds. 

School Safety Committee

Teachers, staff and parents meet monthly to discuss school safety and emergency preparedness. Specific playground, classroom, and lunchroom concerns are also addressed. There is room for one more parent to serve on the committee this year.  Contact Marilyn Loveness, Stella Caldwell , or Josh Pearson for more information.

Science Night & Science Committee

Help vitalize school science programs, bringing your expertise into the classroom. Do you have an area of interest to share with teachers and staff? Want to help liven up the front foyer this year? Also help organize our terrific Science Night (Spring’09). Chairs: Bess Melby (789.4924) and Danielle Vermaak (789-0069).

Staff and Teacher Appreciation Committee

This committee recognizes the hard work of our teachers and staff throughout the year. The chair of this committee is responsible for coordinating monthly staff appreciation lunches hosted by families from each grade, as well as a special week in May is devoted to providing special support, thank you gifts and a staff luncheon. Chair: Annie Hayward (789-1310).

Tech Committee/Computer Docents

Work with the tech team to upgrade systems, load software, assist teachers, and trouble shoot. This is a great role for someone with time outside of the school day. Or come in during the day to assist with classes and labs, help with students’ projects, research, and scan student artwork for the Web site. Our computer lab manager Steve Sorensen (252.1616) and Denise Mamaril (789-0576) are the contacts.

Tile Project

Your child makes a lasting impression on our school through this special tile project! Veteran West Woodland parents assist kindergarten parents in helping their child create an art tile that decorates the walls of West Woodland. Chair: Debbie Anderson (782-8083) is the chair and volunteers are needed in April and May for this Kindergarten Art Event.

Tutoring

Work with students individually or in small groups in class. Help with reading, math, writing, spelling and science. Communicate with teacher on student’s progress. Extra attention and time brings higher potential and self-esteem! On-the-job training and handbooks provided.

Wacky Wednesdays!

Organize or assist bringing fun activities and special classes to our school on the 2-hour early dismissal days: 9/24, 10/29, 2/4, 3/4, and 5/20. We need your talent and ideas!  You have the option to offer your class for free or by fee. Please help make this program an ongoing success. Chair: Rebecca Hoffman (781-0366).

Walk-to-School and Bike-to-School Days, October & May 

Help promote green ways to get to WW, highlighting safety, reduced traffic and pollution, and fun.  Students earn prizes during October’s Walk & Wheel Month (walk, bike, bus) and May’s Bike-to-School Month (bike).  Volunteers are needed to help with walking school buses, International Walk to School Day (early Oct), student participation, prizes, promotional materials, the bike safety rodeo (early May) and other tasks. Chair: Malva Slachowitz (782.4206).

Web Master and Website Committee

Help bring our on-line presence alive. Assist teachers in creating classroom web pages, posting classroom art, etc.  Be a watchdog for updates and work with the committee and web master in design and maintenance of our great site!  This is a great way to volunteer electronically.  Our computer lab manager Steve Sorensen (252.1616 ) is the contact.

Wild Garden-we’re pesticide free!

Help nurture our Native Northwest Plants by identifying and caring for the beautiful greenery surrounding our school grounds.  Participate in two major work party events held at school in the fall and the spring — a great chance to get your hands dirty and build community. There is nothing like the smell of mulch on an early morning…. Contact Pipo Bui (706-5158) to volunteer.  There will be all-school work parties, “Adopt-a-plot” spaces are available, or offer to help a classroom with their garden space!

Winter Faire

An evening family event held this year on December 12^th, the Winter Faire features hands-on crafts activities, craft sales by parent and community artisans, and a bake sale fundraiser. This event brings a warm welcome to the holidays.  Chair: Holly Salowey

Yearbook

Help produce the annual yearbook (layout, photography, journalism, advertising sales, printing coordinator, etc.). The yearbook is a reflection of culture and spirit of the school year, and a keepsake for students and their families to treasure for years to come. We need a team of people to make this happen!  It works best to start collecting yearbook information and photos early in the year so production in May is a breeze. Chairs: Liza and Tim Cox (293-2234)