HSA Events & Volunteer Opportunities
The Willard HSA depends on parents and families to volunteer their time, talents, and ideas to help conceptualize and implement the many programs that positively impact our children and community. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other parents and enhance your child’s elementary school experience. Many of the volunteer opportunities below have flexibility, and we are happy to answer any questions you might have about these positions.
4th of July Parade Float Committee
The 4th of July parade (held on that day every year) is a long-standing Ridgewood tradition, and each elementary school creates a float to participate in the parade and compete for prizes.
Volunteers are needed to help decorate the float and walk alongside it during the parade. The coordinators work with the HSA board to devise a theme for the Willard float, develop and manage a budget for materials (e.g., truck rental, decorations, etc.), secure all materials for the truck and float, and oversee the volunteers and float production.
Art Docent Program (Class Parents will send out a Sign-Up)
Art docent is an HSA-sponsored program offered in partnership with Tic Toc (To Introduce Culture to Our Children). Each month, Tic Toc rotates 40 collections of art and artifacts among 14 area schools.
Three times a year, art docent parent volunteers (two per class) plan a 45-minute visit to their children’s classrooms to discuss an artist and create a small project with the class. You do not need any art experience to be involved in this wonderful program, and our art docent coordinators offer volunteers ideas to help plan their classroom lessons. If you sign up to be an art docent volunteer, you will be contacted by a coordinator to schedule a day/time for your classroom visit, in consultation with your child's classroom teacher.
Art Docent coordinators work with class parents to recruit two art docent volunteers per class for the three separate sessions in the year. Coordinators plan and share lessons that relate to the circulating art collections, manage the rotating Tic Toc art collections at Willard, and attend monthly Tic Toc board meetings to share pertinent details at HSA board meetings.
Art Night
The school’s art teacher and the Willard HSA present an annual student artwork display every spring. Parents have a chance to view their children's artwork on display, and there is sometimes a fundraising component tied to the night.
Volunteers help set up the event and display students' artwork throughout the school, and the event coordinators work with the Willard art teacher to set up event logistics and oversee volunteers.
Back to School Picnic
The picnic takes place at the beginning of the school year and is a chance for parents and friends to reacquaint themselves, meet classmates old and new, and enjoy time together. Food, music, games, and treats are available, and families are encouraged to bring their blankets and have some fun!
Volunteers are needed for event setup, breakdown, and concession sales. Coordinators work with the HSA Board to organize event logistics and oversee volunteers.
Bake Sales
Bake sales typically take place four times per year, immediately following school dismissal. All proceeds are used to enhance the Willard student experience (e.g., to fund school assemblies). Parents supply baked/purchased treats for purchase.
Volunteers are needed to provide individually-wrapped, nut-free, baked/purchased treats with a clear list of ingredients. Volunteers are also needed for concession sales at these events. Events coordinators work with the HSA to set up and break down the bakes sales, sell treats, and manage/recruit volunteers.
Bingo Nights
Bingo is a beloved Willard tradition, when families come together two nights per year to try to win prizes, see their teachers, and have a lot of laughs as they raise money to support the HSA's student-centered mission.
Volunteers are needed on Bingo nights to assist with event setup and breakdown, hand out prizes, and sell concessions. Event coordinators work with the HSA to set up event logistics, ask teachers to MC the events, secure donated or bought (with HSA funds) prizes, and manage volunteers.
Book Fair
The book fair is a multi-day event held twice a year, during which each class has the opportunity to shop for books during school hours. Parents can also fulfill teachers' book "wish lists" for their classroom libraries. All proceeds are used to support student programming, including author visits to the school.
Volunteers are needed for event setup and breakdown, and to handle transactions. Event coordinators work with our vendor and the school to secure dates and times for these fairs, oversee event setup and breakdown, manage book sales, and coordinate volunteers.
Canva Committee
Coordinators work with the HSA to design ADA-compliant Canva flyers (attached to HSA emails and GroupSpot posts) for HSA events. Must have familiarity with Canva.
Career Day
Career Day coordinators work with the Principal and the HSA to schedule, plan, and oversee Willard’s Career Day. Volunteers are needed to introduce and discuss their careers in their children’s classrooms during a short presentation session.
Community Service
Willard gives back! Every year the HSA sponsors various events, such as a Thanksgiving food drive, winter holiday gift drive, and other collections that give back to those in our community who need assistance.
Volunteers are needed during these drives to help organize and transport collected items. Coordinators work with the HSA and principal to select organizations to support, communicate with charity representatives, help publicize these efforts, and oversee the collection of donated items.
Concessions Committee
The concessions committee is in charge of purchasing and selling pre-packaged goods at various Willard HSA events (including the Willard Back to School Picnic and Bingo Nights).
Volunteers assist with concession sales and coordinators work with the HSA to purchase food concessions for these events with HSA funds, order tables/trash cans, arrange cashboxes with the HSA treasurers, and manage any volunteers.
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) committee is a Willard parent volunteer group that enhances the overall educational experience by cultivating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive school environment and community. The DEI Committee manages International Day every spring, as well as other initiatives such as art projects, an outdoor book walk, and school assemblies.
To join the DEI Committee, sign up as a volunteer. Committee members help orchestrate and promote DEI initiatives. DEI coordinators work with the HSA board, principal, and teachers/staff throughout the year to: provide website content and news to share with the Willard community; organize and run International Day and other DEI events/initiatives; and manage volunteers/committee members.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation
Willard's teachers and staff are incredibly dedicated, and the HSA wants to ensure their efforts are recognized throughout the year! Willard also celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week every spring.
Coordinators work with office staff and the HSA board to express our appreciation in a variety of ways, including teacher/staff giveaways, breakfasts/lunches, and other tokens of appreciation. The coordinators also work with class parents to make Teacher Appreciation Week a success every year. Beyond the two coordinators, no additional volunteers are typically needed.
Field Day
Willard holds a field day every June. This beloved tradition enables students to participate in races and outdoor games with their classmates. Parents are encouraged to volunteer and watch the fun!
Volunteers are needed in two-hour shifts on field day to assist with moving classes through activity stations. There is some light setup and breakdown of games as well. Event coordinators work with the PE teachers to plan event details and manage volunteers; they are also on hand to help on field day.
Fifth Grade Committee
Please see the fifth grade events page for more info -- there are plenty of volunteer and coordinator roles that parents can undertake in their children's final year at Willard. Most events take place in the last several weeks of school (May and especially in June).
Frosty Fridays
Held after dismissal on several Fridays in the fall and spring, children and families can purchase and enjoy a frosty treat (e.g., an ice pop). All proceeds support HSA student programming.
Volunteers help sell and distribute the ice pops after school on designated Fridays. Event coordinators work with the HSA fundraising team to purchase (with HSA funds) the frozen treats, set up and break down tables, and manage sales and volunteers.
Green Team
Thanks to the Green Team's leadership, Willard was recognized as a Sustainable Jersey School in 2023. In addition to these efforts, the Green Team sponsors various recycling and clothing drives, and partners with local schools and organizations to support various green initiatives (including the Sports Swap in March).
Volunteers are periodically needed to help with Green Team events, such as clothing drives and the Sports Swap. The coordinators work with the principal, HSA board, and teachers to apply for grants, design and implement green practices in the Willard community, and coordinate volunteers.
International Day (Sponsored by Willard's DEI Committee)
The DEI Committee sponsors and organizes Willard’s International Day every year. Participating in International Day is voluntary for students, and doing so provides them with the unique opportunity to research and present on different countries and cultural traditions. Students are encouraged to follow their interests, and if needed, the DEI Committee provides sample ideas and helpful guidance for students. There is an in-school component to International Day, in which all Willard classes visit the fair to learn from the research of fellow students. At night, parents and families are welcome to view students' research, while also enjoying food, fashion, and performances from the countries and cultures on display.
Volunteers will work with DEI Committee members to plan and execute International Day, including the setup and breakdown of student displays, guiding classes through the fair during the school day, and assisting with all aspects of the evening portion. International Day volunteers may wish to join the DEI Committee (see description above), but being a DEI Committee member is not required to help with International Day.
Library Duty
Twice a month (on a rotating schedule), you may volunteer to visit your child’s class during their 50-minute library period. Library volunteers help shelve books, check students’ books in and out, and assist with any special project planned for that day. It's a great way to see your child at school and become familiar with their classmates and other parents in the class. While the HSA collects volunteers' names, library staff manage the volunteers' duties and schedule.
Reading Enrichment
This program, aimed at fostering a love of books in all students, involves working with library staff on various reading initiatives throughout the school year.
In the past, the coordinator has engaged in various activities, such as promoting and organizing the Willard Birthday Book program; coordinating a gently used book drive for classroom teachers; and encouraging student participation in the Ridgewood Public Library's Reading Marathon in February.
School Picture Day
Willard's picture day is held over two days in the fall, with a makeup day if needed (school pictures are taken outside the school, so rain dates may also apply).
Volunteers are needed in shifts on these picture days to collect order forms from students and ensure that each class is photographed in a timely manner. The coordinators work with the HSA board, principal, and photography studio to confirm these picture dates and set a scheduled time for each class. The coordinators also assign volunteers for each day and shift.
SEPAG
Ridgewood SEPAG School Representatives serve as liaisons between each school/program and the Ridgewood SEPAG. They are a point person for parent/guardian questions and support inclusion efforts in their respective schools/programs. The Willard HSA works with the SEPAG reps in advance of any HSA-sponsored events to ensure the events are accessible and welcoming for all members of the community.
Science Fair
Students have the option to participate in our annual science fair, in conjunction with Ridgewood's Super Science Saturday. The results of each student's research are presented in a school-wide science fair. There is a school-day portion, where all Willard classes visit the science fair, as well as an event at night that is open to parents and guests.
The HSA board and principal plan this event; no coordinators are needed.
Willard Dads Group
This group offers Willard fathers the chance to get together throughout the year to socialize and strengthen community ties. The group is open to all who wish to join.
To become a member of the Willard Dads Group, sign up as a volunteer. Two coordinators lead the Willard Dads by facilitating communication among members and planning activities of interest to the group.
Yearbook Committee
The Willard yearbook records important highlights of the current school year; each class gets its own page, in addition to event pages (e.g., Bingo nights). It contains wonderful photos of our students, teachers, staff, classrooms, clubs, assemblies, events, and programs. The HSA provides a yearbook to every student, which they often cherish for years to come!
Coordinators work year-round to gather and sort photos that parents email to a centralized yearbook email address. From March-June, they work on the actual production of the book (page layouts, etc.), promote the sale of ads and tributes, work with the HSA board on order placement, and help distribute the books on the last day of school.