There are many ways to be involved in East Side’s PTA! Whether you work full-time, part-time or stay-at-home, we have plenty of options for you! Scan the list below to find what most suits your interests and schedule, then contact the Committee’s Chair or an Executive Board member. Our email addresses can be found on the website or in the PTA Calendar. We welcome everyone’s talents….moms, dads, grandparents and older siblings! Come join us; we have a spot for you!
To help with your volunteer activity selections, we have coded opportunities as follows:
- Regular Commitment
- Short-term Commitment
- Full-time Working Parents
- Parents with Toddlers/Preschoolers
- Activities in your Child’s Classroom
- Arts/Literacy Related
- Outdoor Activities
ADVENTURES IN ART (1, 5, 6)
In-class hands-on art appreciation lessons. Training and all resource materials are provided; Chairperson organizes and trains classroom parent volunteers to lead a monthly lesson on famous artists and their works of art.
TIME COMMITMENT: 2 hours preparation and 1 hour of classroom time per month, chairperson more time in early fall to get program started.
BOOK FAIR (2, 3, 6)
Support East Side’s Media Center. Help sell new books in the Media Center.
TIME COMMITMENT: Sign up for shifts as available. NOTE: WORKING PARENTS–Cashiers needed for Family Night (6:30–8:00pm).
BOX TOPS FOR EDUCATION, CAMPBELLS LABELS AND GROCERY CARDS (Publix & Kroger) (1, 3, 4)
Publix, Kroger, and General Mills donate a portion of your purchase to East Side PTA. Campbell’s donates goods to the school for collected labels. Use your Publix and Kroger card whenever you shop! Collect box tops from General Mills’ products! Collect Campbell’s labels!
TIME COMMITMENT: Minimal.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH (2, 3, 4)
Help out with needs in the community and teach students to be good citizens. Find opportunities to help those in need in our community with special emphasis on our sister school, Fair Oaks Elementary.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable.
COPY CATS (1, 4)
Educational support for teachers. Need 3 volunteers per week (M, W, and F) to make copies for the teachers. Copier training is provided.
TIME COMMITMENT: 1-3hrs/month.
EDUCATION & LITERACY (1, 3, 4, 6)
Provide programs that supports our school’s educational goals. The committee may plan its programs, but past programs have included: Holiday reading rewards program (December); PTA “Heroes” essay contest (February); Summer reading list.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable.
FALL FESTIVAL (2, 3, 4, 7)
Help bring the entire East Side community together for a day of fun. 7 sub-committees: food court, ticket sales, entertainment, games, advertising (bulletin boards, newsletters, morning announcements, web-site), decorations, and volunteers.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies depending on duties. Decorate/set-up: Flexible hours, 1-2 hours to help set up games/decorate, run a game, serve food or help clean up.
FIFTH GRADE FINALE (2, 3, 4)
A small group of fifth grade parents will meet once a month to plan the fifth grade finale held in May.
TIME COMMITMENT: Small at first, gradually growing toward May.
FRONT OFFICE ASSISTANTS (1)
Part of what keeps Team East Side going. Need 2 volunteers per school day for a 2-1/2 hour shift (7:45-10:30am or 11:30-2:00pm). Chairperson coordinates volunteer schedule and works with office staff to determine needs.
TIME COMMITMENT: 1 shift/month on average.
FUNDRAISER (2, 4)
Provide financial support of East Side PTA with sales of a variety of items. Collect and tally orders in mornings; unload trucks to stage and organize by class; help distribute orders during afternoons.
TIME COMMITMENT: Flexible shifts during fundraising season in fall.
GENERAL VOLUNTEERS (any)
Assist as needed throughout the year, as available and needed.
HEALTH & NUTRITION (1, 3, 5, 7)
Promote healthy lifestyles to ESE families. Support Jingle Jog, Fit in Third & Fifth, Hearing & Vision screening, and other programs during the year.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable–great for working parents.
HOSPITALITY (1)
Provide hospitality for special school events. Coordinate East Side Staff Welcome Back Luncheon; Teacher Appreciation Luncheon, provide snacks and drinks for other small events.
TIME COMMITMENT: 2-3 hours for luncheons.
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL (2, 3, 4)
Help plan and organize a day for families to celebrate the many countries represented at East Side. Representatives from various countries feature food, dance and other culture from their native lands.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies depending on duties. Decorate/set-up: Flexible hours, 1-2 hours to help set up booths, serve food, organize and present dances, etc.
JUNIOR GREAT BOOKS (2, 6)
An award-winning after-school reading program. Training and all materials are provided. Lead group discussion/activities for one story per week.
TIME COMMITMENT: 2.5 hours/week in January and February, 2.5 hours training in December.
LEGISLATION AND ADVOCACY (1, 3, 4)
Very flexible. Help keep parents aware and promote the position of the PTA in any legislative issues that could affect East Side students/staff.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable.
MEDIA CENTER/RESOURCE LAB (1, 6)
Help Media Specialist by shelving books, checking books in/out, and helping children with book selections.
TIME COMMITMENT: 2-4 hrs/month in flexible shifts.
NEWSLETTER/TIGER TIMES (1, 4, 6)
Help with production and/or distribution of East Side’s weekly newsletter.
TIME COMMITMENT: 1.5-4 hours/week. Some work can be shared.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT (1, 3, 4)
Assist with Welcome Committee on Tiger Day; make parents aware of volunteer opportunities at the school. New opportunity for Diversity and Inclusion representative! This person will collect and share ideas for activities and initiatives around diversity and culture with other D&I reps in our area. Outreach to encourage participation of parents who are new to the school system and/or have language/communication barriers.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable.
PTA FUN DAYS (1, 4)
Help with periodic sports and fun days at a variety of venues including skating at YMCA, rock climbing, Sport-A-Rama and more. Advertise events, check-in kids during the first hour of each session. A portion of the proceeds benefit East Side PTA.
TIME COMMITMENT: Approx. 2 hours/month.
REFLECTIONS (2, 4, 6)
Help with this annual PTA program encouraging original works of photography, visual arts, music, literature, and video production.
TIME COMMITMENT: Approx. 5 hours in the fall, 1-2 hours in Dec/Jan for awards.
SCIENCE (1, 3, 4)
Support and promote science education at East Side. Help organize Science Fair and other science related programs throughout the school year.
TIME COMMITMENT: Variable.
SOCK HOP (2, 3, 4)
Help plan, decorate, or stage this fun event held in the spring.
TIME COMMITMENT: 30 minutes to 5 hours depending on duties; 6 hours for planning meetings.
STAFF APPRECIATION (2, 3, 4)
Help plan various activities for Teacher Appreciation Week to let East Side staff know how much they are appreciated! Help organize staff appreciation gifts at holidays. Other smaller activities ongoing throughout school year.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies according to duties.
SUNSHINE MATH (1, 3, 4)
Help with a valuable 10-week program furthering math skills. Parent Graders are needed to check the students’ responses at home once per week.
TIME COMMITMENT: 1 hour/week.
TIGER’S CAGE (1, 3)
Assist students in staffing and stocking the school store.
TIME COMMITMENT: Flexible hours! Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings (7:40-8:00am).
TIGER DAY/MEET & GREET (2)
Coordinate or assist with Tiger Day planning and execution. Help welcome new families to East Side or help man the volunteer table on the day, and/or help prepare for one of the most important days of the year.
TIME COMMITMENT: Varies according to duties.
YOUTH SERVICES (1, 3, 4)
Help organize Red Ribbon Week Activities; research safety issues and distribute educational materials; arrange educational opportunities and programs to encourage health and safety.
TIME COMMITMENT: 1-2hrs/month.