Volunteer Opportunities

Without the countless hours, energy, and commitment Stratfield’s parents and families give us, none of the programs and events offered by the PTA would happen. Please take a look at the brief descriptions listed below and contact us if you are interested in participating. Your help is appreciated!

 

REMEMBER: Before volunteering at any event at the school, you must complete the Fairfield Public Schools' volunteer/resource person registration form. Print and send the form to your child’s teacher via backpack mail. This form must be completed yearly!

 

If you are currently a co-chair and would like to obtain a copy of a committee report, please contact Jenn Curley and Jen Serricchio.

 

Family Fun Activities 

Stratfield Spring Gala

For many years now, Stratfield PTA's largest fundraiser has been the school auction.  It was usually held every two years, but we have not been able to have it since 2018 due to Covid.  This year, we have decided to hold a Spring Gala instead.  Many of you have never attended an event like this for Stratfield School, but it will be an awesome night out!  We are looking for a group of chairpersons to coordinate this event.  This committee would then find volunteers for sub-committees.  We're looking for said chairpersons to plan an evening of food, dancing, entertainment, and silent auctions.  The event will be in April 2023!  Grab a group of friends and help to set up an unforgettable night out for Stratfield School!  All proceeds go directly to funding PTA programming for our students and teachers!!!

 

Family Fair

This annual spring fair is held on the Stratfield School grounds. Chairs plan/coordinate the event. Volunteers staff booths such as ticket sales, games, and refreshments. The event's success requires that many in the school volunteer to help with at least one activity or one booth.

 

Kindergarten Ambassador

Co-chairs prepare kindergarten orientation packets, plan summer playdates for incoming kindergarteners, and coordinate an ice cream social at the beginning of the school year. Chairs should have a current Stratfield student and an incoming kindergartener for the following school year.

 

Sports Outings

Chairs are responsible for planning two sports outings, if possible, in the winter and spring. The chairs meet with the appropriate team representatives and coordinate ticket sales. Accurate record-keeping is required.

 

Variety Show

A number of chairs work together to produce this event:

  • Chair: Coordinates show, schedules rehearsals, and works with school principal on logistics and technical aspects of show. Volunteers are needed to help with the children during rehearsals and during the show, help with scenery, take photographs, collect tickets, etc. Time commitment will vary with responsibilities.
  • Asst. Chair: Should be comfortable using Excel.
  • Production Manager: Should be comfortable using Excel.
  • Volunteer Coordinator: Schedules adult volunteers.
  • Stage Manager: Oversees scenery, stage props, and music.
  • Box Office: Oversees ticket sales.
  • Publicity/Photo: Oversees weekly e-newsletter notices, e-newsletter, newspaper, and pictures.

School/Teacher Support                                                                                           

Fifth-Grade Activities

Chairs work with fifth-grade teachers, Director of Fun and Fundraising, and Principal to coordinate this graduation event, picking a theme and overseeing decorations, food, setup, cleanup, etc. This also includes fifth grade field day preparation and setup, fifth grade student art display, and yearbook. Parent volunteers are recruited as needed. This is a one-year commitment.

 

Library/Media Center Resources

If you want the opportunity to see the children at work, the library/media center is a great place to volunteer. Co-chairs organize and schedule volunteers, providing a welcome/thank-you meeting at the beginning/end of the year. Volunteers are needed to help with the basic library maintenance tasks, such as shelving and checking out books. Your commitment to this committee can be as little as one hour a week, and you can job-share with a friend every other week. Unfortunately, young siblings are not allowed to tag along. 

 

Room Parent Coordinators

Co-chairs select room parents for each class from a list of volunteers, plan an information meeting at the beginning of the school year, and act as liaisons between the PTA Executive Board and room parents throughout the year. Coordinators will ensure that all room parents sign a code of conduct at the beginning of the school year.

 

Room Space Coordinator

This person helps to schedule all PTA activities and events in available classrooms.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

School Beautification/School Banners

This committee beautifies our school inside and out with landscaping and spring/fall cleanups, by placing plaques and pictures in the halls and by updating bulletin boards. Co-chairs also update the banners throughout the school as staff and room assignments change. Co-chairs coordinate work required with the Student Art Display Committee and solicit volunteers as needed.

 

Teacher Appreciation Week and Teacher's Luncheon

Responsibilities include: organizing a menu for the week; soliciting parents to contribute food items; purchasing paper goods, beverages, and catered items. Additionally, the chairs will clean out the teacher's room by setting up and cleaning up each day of this week and purchase special gifts, e.g., gift cards, as determined by co-chairs. Additionally, the day before the first day of school, a luncheon will be prepared to welcome back the teachers.


Teacher Classroom Enrichment/Teacher Grants

The co-chairs distribute funds (amount decided by PTA Executive Board) to each eligible teacher by collecting receipts and reimbursement forms and forwarding them to the Treasurer. The teacher grant program is dedicated to enhancing the curriculum at Stratfield. Chairs solicit and review detailed proposals from teachers. Joint proposals are encouraged. Responsibilities include establishing criteria for grant proposals, working with the PTA President, President-Elect, and Principal to evaluate proposals, and awarding available funds.


Student Enrichment

Above and Beyond After-School Enrichment Program

This is a great way to get involved at school, share your talents with our children, and bring in rewarding programs for students of all grades. This committee is responsible for organizing and overseeing after-school activities. Duties will include selecting instructors, setting schedules, reserving space, signing up children, and recruiting parent volunteers. Time commitment varies, and you will not be expected to be at every session of the program.


Audubon/Environmental Awareness

Grades K–2. This is a supplement to the science program that is designed to develop a basic understanding and appreciation for the environment. Chair is responsible for coordinating and scheduling volunteers at each grade level and acting as liaison with the Audubon. Volunteers attend training sessions at the Connecticut Audubon Society and make a classroom presentation three times during the school year. Time commitment required is a 1-hour training session and 1-½ hours to set up and present in the classroom for each of the three events. This is a great opportunity to get inside the classroom (winter) and outside (fall/spring) with the children!


Celebrate Reading/Turn Off TV Week

This is a combined event. Chairs work closely with the Principal to celebrate the joy of reading. Through promotion and activities, enthusiasm builds to the final celebration day with guest readers. This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of an educational program to motivate students to read.  

 

Memorial Day Parade

This committee coordinates our students' participation in Fairfield's annual parade. Stratfield has a long tradition of creating the USA State Puzzle, “Make the Map!” The time commitment is heavy in May, with frequent before- or after-school practices. Marching opportunities have historically been made available to only 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders.

                 

Mill River Wetlands – Grades 3, 4, 5

This program teaches an understanding of the river, human management, and watershed dynamics. It offers a unique opportunity to take part in your child’s education as well as to gain perspective on the structure of the environment. No experience is necessary! There should be one co-chair per grade level. Co-chair is responsible for recruiting/coordinating four guides per classroom. Guides are trained by the Mill River Study Group for specific grade levels and then lead only their child’s study trip. Third grade tours begin in early fall; fourth grade begins as soon as school does; and fifth grade begins in the spring. There is only one program run per grade level during the year.

 

Reflections

Reflections is a PTA-sponsored cultural arts program that encourages students to express their thoughts and feelings through the creative arts. Every year a theme is chosen, and students create original work at home/school in various categories including literature, visual arts, photography, dance, and music. Chairs help with the publicity, judging, mounting, and displaying of entries.


SEPTA (Special Education PTA)

Chairs work with the Principal to plan Diversity Day, design/plan other programs to foster understanding of people with special needs, and provide support as needed to special education teachers.


Stratfield Connection (Student Newspaper)

This publication is a work-in-progress and can be formatted as co-chairs see fit. This has existed as either a newsletter or a newspaper with graphics and articles written by students. One co-chair is the graphics editor, and the other co-chair is the content editor. Volunteers are needed to assist in writing articles and features, editing, and typing. Time commitment varies depending on the role played.

Parent/Student Community Support

Website

Two co-chairs are in charge of the Stratfield PTA website. The primary website co-chair will oversee the site; update, add, or edit content as necessary; and advise Membership and Above and Beyond committees, VPs, and PTA President as needed. The secondary co-chair will assist in updating content while learning the workings of the site. Web experience is helpful but not required since the co-chairs can be trained and coding is not necessary.

 

E-Newsletter

Two co-chairs input and send the PTA’s weekly e-newsletter to parents. One co-chair formats and proofreads weekly e-newsletters and schedules mailings. The other co-chair also formats, proofreads, and schedules mailings, in addition to acting as the liaison between the Stratfield PTA (Executive Board, School staff, PTA co-chairs, etc.) and the website committee to coordinate information being communicated.

                                                                                                

Garden Committee

Co-chairs will help plan, design, build, and maintain the garden and various planters around school entrances. Co-chairs will also recruit volunteers.

 

Membership

Co-chairs organize the membership drive, oversee the membership portion of the PTA website, and provide monthly reports to CT PTA.


New Parent Reception

This fall social event gives parents who are new to the school an opportunity to meet and socialize with other parents and members of the PTA Executive Board. Co-chairs are responsible for organizing and hosting the party, traditionally held at the home of a Stratfield parent. This is a one-year commitment.

 

Operation Hope

This committee coordinates and delivers a monthly PTA-sponsored dinner for the residents of Operation Hope. Monthly meals will be assigned by grade level and coordinated by the committee representative for that grade.

 

School Pictures

School pictures of individual students and classes are taken by a professional photographer. The co-chair acts as a liaison between school and photographer. Volunteers are needed to usher classes to and from the photo sessions and prepare orders for the photographer. Those involved should be able to commit for the entire picture morning or afternoon, as needed.


Stratfield Yearbook

Two chairs work with the chosen yearbook company to set a production schedule, design and lay out the book, collect photos and art, take orders, and distribute the yearbooks in the spring. The yearbook company provides easy-to-use software and training. This is a fun job for scrap-booking enthusiasts and other creative types!

Fundraising Activities

Book Fair

The three-day Book Fair requires multiple co-chairs to organize and order books and supplies. One person is designated as the liaison with Scholastic. A substantial time commitment is needed during the week of the fair. Volunteers are needed to set up merchandise, assist the students with their selections, and act as salespeople. Morning, afternoon, and evening shifts are available.


Shop and Support/Box Tops

Co-chairs are responsible for managing the box top program in addition to other fundraising activities during the school year, to be determined by the PTA Executive Board. Programs may include wrapping paper, plants/flowers, coupon booklets, etc.

 

Spirit Wear

Co-chairs are responsible for researching and determining various items (i.e sweatshirts, t-shirts, water bottles, etc.) that would support and enhance spirit with the school’s logo.

 

Note Cards

Co-chair(s) is responsible for working with a vendor to arrange and plan an opportunity for all students to submit an original piece of their art to be printed as a set of note cards. Co-chair will work with Stratfield's art teacher to coordinate the activity and will also manage the communication with parents, collect payment, and serve as liaison with the vendor.


 Restaurant Nights

Pre-arranged nights when Stratfield families can go to a local dining establishment during specified hours (usually during dinner hours), and a percentage of gross sales goes to the PTA.