Volunteer Opportunities
Family involvement is critical to student achievement! Because we’re a large school, it can be difficult to figure out all the opportunities for becoming active in the community. We need help at all levels from all families. Below is a list of some possibilities:
Become a Room Parent
The job of room parent varies by classroom; most often you’re organizing parents to assist the teachers with class events, field trips, clean up days, class gifts, etc. You also serve as a crucial communication link between the larger school and families in your child’s class. Each class typically has 2-3 room parents that share the responsibilities and support throughout the year.
Interested in becoming a room parent? Email Washington’s Room Parent Coordinator, Anne Ellis at anne.schnobrich@gmail.com.
Help with a Community Event
Washington has so many fun events that couldn’t take place without the support from our families! We need your help organizing these events, managing volunteers, setting up and decorating, serving food, and cleaning up.
Equity Family Nights (Quarterly)
Build community and offer safe spaces for families to feel listened to, understood, and honored.
Winter Festival + Art Auction
Fun winter celebration with food, music, crafts, and activities.
Black Heritage Night
Dinner and classroom performances showcasing learnings from Black History Month.
Multicultural Night
School-wide potluck and student performances to gather in unity and celebrate the diversity of
our community.
Want to be on the planning committee for one of our amazing community events? E-mail Programing Chair, Anne Garrett at Argarrett@gmail.com
Help with a Fundraiser
To pay for important programs not covered by public school funding, the PTA raises money throughout the year with four large fundraisers. We need to raise $230,000 to support programs we love and cherish at Washington.
The CHARGE
The Charge is our annual back to school campaign to support PTA-funded programs. This begins on the first day of school and runs through Sept. 30. Help is needed with publicity, creating posters, generating excitement!
Walk-a-thon
Students collect sponsors and then walk, skip or run around the blacktop during the Walk-a-thon event, with a goal of fundraising 40,000. Help is needed organizing and distributing pledge materials; collecting money and materials; organizing the event (music, water stations); helping on the day of the event (stamping lap cards, first aid, photos).
Sign up for one of our volunteer roles: Event Lead (1), Pre-Event Support (1-2), Post-Event Support (1-2), Day-Of Support (40+)
Spring Party and Fun(d)raiser
This is a yearly adults-only event. The PTA organizes offsite childcare while adults enjoy great food and drinks and bid on auction items. The silent auction is a perfect volunteer opportunity for people available after-hours. Tasks include general planning; procuring items for the auction; publicity; organizing food and music; working the night of the event to manage the auction items.
Read-a-thon
Much like the Walkathon, kids collect sponsors and then read, read, read! Help is needed organizing and distributing pledge materials; publicity; collecting money and materials.
Interested in helping with one of these events? Contact Co-Presidents Kayla Tekus and Carlos Esquivel at wapta.president@gmail.com
Ongoing Volunteer Needs
These needs are ad hoc, and minimal time commitment (2-3 hrs when needed)
Spanish language translation – review Google Translate for accuracy on documents
Design/Graphics – create graphics, printed materials, school swag, and more
Video Creation – event recap reels for the Rumble, and how-to videos
Administrative – survey coordination, Google Group creation, etc.
Interested in helping with one of these volunteer needs? Contact Co-Presidents Kayla Tekus and Carlos Esquivel at wapta.president@gmail.com
Other Opportunities
Affinity Groups
Affinity Groups help build connection, celebrate our diverse community, and create spaces where families with shared identities or experiences can support one another. Each group is led by a volunteer family lead who helps organize gatherings and keep the group connected. Interested in leading an Affinity Group? For more information contact wapta.president@gmail.com.
English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC)
The English Language Advisory Committee (ELAC) are parents of students classified as English Language Learners (ELL). This group meets monthly to learn about and discuss support for ELL students and advises school staff on services for their children. Contact Emily Hawkins at emilyhawkins@berkeley.net.
School Site Council (SSC)
Work with elected parents, teachers and the principal to review school priorities and write the school’s overall site plan. This is a great way to learn about all of the efforts taking place to serve children and families at Washington and in our district.
Walk and Roll to School
In conjunction with Safe Routes to School, plan events to encourage Washington students to walk or bike to school, host a yearly bike repair and skills event, and improve safety in our drop-off zone on McKinley. Volunteers are needed to help with events, leading Bike Trains and helping out with Rolling Drop Off.
5th Grade Graduation Planning Team and/or Memory Book
Help our 5th graders preserve memories and celebrate their accomplishments. Want to take charge of the memory book or help with the Graduation? For more information contact Washington’s Room Parent Coordinator, Anne Ellis at anne.schnobrich@gmail.com.
TK/K Information events and playdates
Help new and potential families get familiar with Washington. Look out for outreach in the Washington Wire asking for volunteers as these events arise.
Community Resources (Looking for a lead)
Help Washington’s most vulnerable families. This team works with the Office of Family Engagement and Equity to stock our food pantry and maintain a supply of extra clothing, run a coat drive and gift card drive at the holidays and much more!
Arts Advocacy Committee (Looking for a lead)
Are you interested in seeing more fine arts at Washington? Want to restart Washington’s Arts Advocacy committee? We don’t have a lead for this group. For more information contact wapta.president@gmail.com.
Green Team (Looking for a lead)
Are you interested in seeing a Greener Washington? Want to restart Washington’s Green Team? We don’t have a lead for this group. For more information contact wapta.president@gmail.com.
See a need not being met? Fill it!
Almost all of Washington’s great projects and events were begun by parents who saw a need and jumped in. Start by talking to other parents, PTA officers, or Principal Josh
Have other questions about getting involved?
Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Jessica Vose, at jessica.p.vose@gmail.com