Nursery School Parents Association

Parents Association Newsletter

Parents Association Committees:

Book Fair Committee

The Nursery School and Temple jointly sponsor a Book Fair each fall, with proceeds going to the school library budget. The Book Fair is a huge group effort, enlisting many parent volunteers to do everything from publicizing the event to working the registers to organizing activities for the children while their parents shop. Teachers provide "wish lists" so that parents can buy books to donate to the classrooms. Each year a guest children's book author reads from his/her book and sells signed copies, and the rabbis read to the children as well.

Challah Parents

These volunteers distribute challah to the children's cubbies (of children who subscribe to the Challah Program) every Friday morning (Thursdays for classes that don't meet on Fridays). This is a nice way to be involved even if you don't have much time to spare: you simply need to spend a few extra minutes after drop-off one day a week.

Class Parents

Class parents serve as liaisons between the parents, school and Parents Association. Some of the duties include: helping teachers with the class Chanukah parties; organizing class gifts for the teachers for Chanukah and year end; facilitating a social gathering for parents in the class in the fall; attending Nursery School functions such as our annual Wine & Cheese Gathering, in which returning families and new families meet each other. In addition, the Parents Association holds monthly meetings which one class parent from each class should attend. Through these meetings we hope to keep all parents informed about what is going on and also to hear ideas and concerns that parents have.

Fundraising Committee & Auction/Raffle Subcommittee

We run many events/programs throughout the year with the aim of raising money to support the school's Scholarship Fund and Teacher Development Fund, as well as some of the committees of the Parents Association. The highlight of the year is a lively benefit, which includes an auction and raffle. Many volunteers are needed to plan the even and to solicit prizes from local businesses, family and friends.

Graduation Committee

The committee's main objectives are to produce program booklets and diplomas for the graduating children and to organize a celebration at the end of the year. We hold several bake sales throughout the year, in conjunction with the Fundraising Committee. Volunteers bake goodies and staff the tables at the bake sales in the Temple lobby.

Library Committee

We usually meet for an hour every few weeks to cover new books and repair and re-shelve old books. During the first half of the year we are busy processing the many books donated from the Book Fair; the second part of the year we focus more on general upkeep of the collection.

Mitzvah Committee

Our purpose is twofold. One is to perform mitzvahs for our families who need help (i.e., sending dinner to a family that recently had a baby). The other is to coordinate Nursery School and Temple projects such as coat drives, book drives and tree planting in Israel. We are actively seeking volunteers to take charge of our various monthly mitzvah projects.

Newspaper (KidBITS)

We publish KidBITS twice a year. Parent volunteers photograph the children at school to go along with the articles written by the teachers from each class. Parents also contribute articles on their subjects of interest—ranging from nutrition to tips for traveling with children to recommended books or websites for kids.

Nursery School Tours

Each fall the Nursery School staff leads applicant families on tours of the school. This committee ensures that a parent volunteer accompanies each group to offer the perspective of a current parent and answer questions.

"On-Call" Nursery School Office Volunteers

Occasionally extra help may be needed in the Nursery School Office to answer the phone, photocopy, distribute flyers, etc. Volunteers sign up for the times when they are available to be called in to assist.

Outreach Committee -- Be a "Buddy!"

As a "buddy," returning families reach out to new families and assist in making them feel welcome in our community. Volunteers can sign up in the Nursery School Office.

Parent Education Committee

This committee works with the rabbis to arrange and promote monthly sessions with the rabbis where parents can learn about Jewish holidays or other topics relating to the school's Jewish curriculum. The committee may also plan occasional evening education programs.

Follow link for current Parents Association Newsletter.