Parent Advisory Committee (PAC)

Room Parents are the liaisons between classroom parents and the classroom teachers. For Preschool through Grade 4, PAC recruits two parents per classroom who work closely with the OSP Leadership Team. For Grades 5-8, PAC recruits two parents per grade level known as “Grade Level Parents” who work closely with the HNC Leadership Team.

In this role, Room Parents/Grade Level Parents assist teachers in coordinating events and parties throughout the year. Another key role is to foster a sense of community by planning events outside of the classroom, such as parent nights out or park playdates. They also organize support for classroom families during times of illness, death, births and other life-altering events. Room Parents/Grade Level Parents also serve as an extension of the PAC and connect the classrooms/grades to schoolwide PAC initiatives.

Preschool Room Parents sign up for a two-year commitment. The incoming 3-year-old Room Parent works closely to learn from the 4-year-old Room Parent, allowing for an alternating two-year tenure. Kindergarten–Grade 8 Room Parents/Grade Level Parents serve a one-year tenure. Parents can express interest in serving as a Room Parent/Grade Level Parent via a survey link sent out at the beginning of the school year. Selections are determined by the FXW Administration.

Volunteers on this committee coordinate the sale of school spirit items, work with vendors on new items/designs. New this year, the spirit store has moved to all online ordering. The money raised from sales help fund our FXW Staff and Teacher Appreciation week. In addition to fundraising, the Spirit Wear team is committed to furthering our school spirit, which involves a strong emotional connection within the FXW community.

If you are unable to volunteer for one of the committees, there are a plethora of opportunities to spend time at the school helping the teachers, staff and students. See below for an example of “Day Of” volunteer events, and we are continually adding to this list. These opportunities will always be listed via a Sign-Up Genius in our weekly newsletter In The Loop. To volunteer in the school building, it is required that you are Virtus-trained with your certificate on file.

OSP Lunchroom Volunteers
Helping hands are needed to usher students through the hot lunch and salad bar lines, assist students with food packaging and dismiss students who need to use the restroom.

Event-Based Volunteering
All Special Event committees will need parent volunteers to help make their activities successful. For example, checking students out at the Book Fair, sorting uniforms or books at the annual swaps, bringing in food or beverage items for Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day, etc.

Grade Level Socials are a great way to reconnect with old friends and make new ones! This committee helps to organize these parent-hosted events, held in the evening at homes, businesses, restaurants or the school courtyards. Volunteers are needed to recruit hosts in the spring in preparation for the next school year. This committee also assists the parent hosts with logistics, communications and party planning related needs.

Are your kids growing faster than you can keep up with them? Well, you are in luck! We host Uniform Swaps multiple times a year. The collections for gently used uniforms take place on both campuses. Once items are sorted, appropriately sized items are displayed so parents/students can take as many items as they need.

This event is one of the most memorable for students and their Grandparents/Special Friends, with abundant smiles and pride all around. The Grandparents/Special Friends are treated to refreshments and a brief presentation that often includes our incredible choir and then a visit to the classroom(s). Each class has a special way to honor their guests whether it’s a video, craft or storytelling event. This is a showcase of the uniqueness of the FXW community, the talent of our teachers, and broad student engagement. This is a large event, with many volunteers needed to make it successful due to the logistics involved in planning, setting up and staffing.

FXW has a weeklong book fair twice a year, coinciding with our Grandparents and Special Friends Day in the fall and our Mother’s Day Luncheon in the spring. Volunteer opportunities range from working with Scholastic to planning and advertising the fair, helping with set up, assisting students during the event and breaking the book fair down. The Book Fair proceeds go directly to FXW.

Mardi Gras is a wonderful tradition at OSP with a DJ, face painter, food, beverages, crafts, and exciting games. All FXW students and families are invited to this fun-filled event. Party planners and volunteers are needed to organize, advertise, set up and staff the event. In the past, Grade 7 and 8 students have provided on-site support to make this event successful.

Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week honors and celebrates the FXW teachers/staff and the impact they have on our children while at FXW and beyond. The Co-Chairs, in conjunction with their committee members, plan events at both campuses each day of the week for the teachers and staff. Parent volunteers are recruited to assist with donations and planned activities. Past events have included meals, decorations, and a plethora of special ways to say thank you! This is a tremendous opportunity for creativity. Join today to show our FXW teachers and staff how special they are to the community!

Do you have too many books at home? Do you like to sort and organize or guide students to new books? This is the committee for you! In the spring, we ask students from both campuses to donate gently loved books. Once the books are sorted and set up, the students can take home new books for their home library. The excitement is palpable as students discover new treasures.

Our Mother’s Day Luncheon is an FXW tradition that dates back to 2008. This luncheon, open to all mother figures, is a way to connect and celebrate the mothers in our lives and culminates with a Grade 8 parent as a guest speaker. Whether you enjoy event planning, marketing, or can lend a hand the day of the event, this committee has many volunteer opportunities.