December 26, 2011
…who would drop me off and pick me up with a smile every day? Who would dry my tears when I get frustrated or hurt? Who would cheer on the sidelines of my 20th game of the season just as loud as at my first one, or coach me and my friends even on wet and windy days with a cold? Who would leave work to come to the courthouse and watch me present arguments for our constitutional law class? Who would come, tired after work, to all of my concerts and plays and art shows? Who would trust me with the family car when I’ve not always been the most responsible but I PROMISE to do better?
…who would work long hours to earn enough to send me to MPA and help me bake cookies for our bake sale? Who would show me how to be a good person by doing good deeds even when no one else is looking? Who would always expect the best of me yet always try to accept me for what I am? Who would make every effort to create a home life of comfort and safety no matter what is happening all around us?
…and,
…who would make it possible for my school to do all the extra things it does? Who would work hundreds of hours to bring the book festival to life every year, or to help our teachers make pasta? Who would read to our classes and paddle down river or peddle uphill beside us on our class trips? Who would make and deliver delicious food to our hungry teachers during teacher appreciation week?
…who would completely dream up, design, publicize and execute a first ever Family Service Night where I work and learn with my friends about how to make a difference in the lives of people who desperately need our help? Who would decorate our school on holidays or sports weeks, and who would make a special sign with my name when I am on a team or in a play? Who would dutifully come to my teacher conferences to work in partnership with my teachers so that I can get the most out of being at this amazing school?
…who would give admission tours, sell concessions at athletic contests, build sets for the spring musical, or sit at my lunch table and monitor recess so my teachers can have a break? Who would volunteer at the Best of MPA, the golf tournament, the art and wine night or make calls at an annual fund phonathon? Who would take the place of the dozens of dedicated parent volunteers who give so much of their time, energy and talent to making MPA the special environment for learning that it is?
Without you, there would be no MPA.
We thank the hundreds of parent volunteers who go above and beyond by participating in the life of their children’s school. Here is just a partial list of those leaders who have made possible so many Parents Association sponsored events and activities:
Family Service Night, led by Chairs Natalie Waters Seum, Pamela Toole, Amy Stolpestad, Co-Chair Joan Ireland, and volunteer coordinator Donna Bailey.
Season to Share, led by Chair Maria Reamer with help from Sandra Shreur Jones, Glenn and Jennifer Walter, Karen Kozen and Mary Indritz.
Teacher Appreciation Activities by Carey Ide, Karla Myers, Mike Offstein, Sandra Shreur Jones, Cindy Gardner, Karen Kozen, Joy Alizadeh, and Chris Levesque
Flower Sale Stacy Suberg, Magazine Fundraiser Jacqui Mudge and Jenny Linrud, Microfunding Program- Amy Kron
Close to 50 different grade reps for keeping families informed about class information and organizing family and parent socials, and the eleven members of the Spirit Committee for supporting extra-curricular activities.
The entire MPAPA board for all their support, planning and effort : Carey Ide, Chris Hawley, Shane Strack, Cindy Gardner, Karen Kozen, Amy Stolpestad, Mike Offstein, Sandra Shreur Jones, Chris Levesque, Joy Alizadeh, Mary Indritz, and Beth Finch, President.
Not to mention school sponsored activities that require extensive parent volunteer support, such as the Best of MPA annual auction (led this year by Kim and Doug Jakway), and our Annual Fund Drive, led by co-chairs Beth Averbeck and Charlene McEvoy. Overall school leadership is managed by the Board of Trustees, led by Chair Robin Brooksbank and including 14 current parents.
If you’d like to get in on the volunteer action, coming up after the holidays is our annual Book Festival. Already hard at work and happy to welcome more volunteers are Book Festival Chair Maureen Wu, Middle School Cafe Chair Karen Stang, and Upper School Chair Joy Alizadeh. Email Bry at bnagan@moundsparkacademy.org for information on how to volunteer.
And listen to these parents to hear why to volunteer….
Mike Downs, Head
