HSA COMMITTEE/EVENTS DESCRIPTIONS & INFO
The Willard HSA depends on parents to volunteer their time, talents, and ideas in helping to conceptualize and implement the many programs that positively impact our children and community. Volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other parents while working to enhance your child’s Elementary School experience. Many of the volunteer opportunities have flexibility and we are happy to answer any questions you might have!
Adult Socials
These are adult-only events (Ladies Night, Shopping Nights, etc.) that encourage parent community bonding and serve as an opportunity to raise funds for worthy Willard causes! They are planned by the HSA’s Fundraising Chairs but volunteers for assistance on event day/night are always needed and welcome.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Art Docent
Art Docent is an HSA-sponsored program offered by TIC TOC (To Introduce Culture to Our Children). Each month, TicToc rotates forty collections of art and artifacts among 14 area schools. Four times a year, Art Docent parent volunteers plan a 45-minute visit to their child’s classroom to discuss the chosen artist and create a small project with the class. You do not need any art experience to be involved in this wonderful program!
Coordinators recruit class-specific Art Docents, manage the sharing of rotating art collections at Willard amongst the other elementary schools, and maintain and change the Willard TICTOC art collection in the school building.
***Volunteers will be recruited by class parents after the start of the school year.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Artwerx
Our Art Teacher and the Willard HSA present our annual student artwork display and sale. Parents have a chance to purchase a framed piece of their child’s art. Proceeds go to purchase additional materials for our Willard Art Program.
Coordinators work with the Willard Art teachers to select the date of the sale, secure location and needs via the Building Use Form, and oversee volunteers for sale set-up, break down, artwork framing, and sales.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Back to School Picnic
The Picnic takes place at the beginning of the school year as a chance for parents and friends to reacquaint themselves, meet classmates old and new, and enjoy time together. The Picnic is planned by the HSA but volunteers are needed for set-up, breakdown, concession sales, and photography. Food trucks, music, and treats will be available and families are encouraged to bring their blankets and have some fun!
Coordinators Needed: 1
Bake Sales
Bake sales take place 2 times per year, immediately following dismissal. Parents supply treats for purchase
Coordinator works with the HSA to coordinate sale dates, fill out School Facilities form to book space and request tables/trash bins, send emails requesting Bake Sale volunteers to provide individually wrapped treats throughout the year, and organize people to assist with sales on the day of the event.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Bingo Night
Bingo Night is a Willard tradition when families come together 1-2 times per year to try to win prizes, see their teachers, and have a lot of laughs
Coordinators book the date and time on the school calendar, reserve the space via the School Facilities form, secure a teacher to MC Bingo, secure donated or bought (with HSA funds) prizes, confirm volunteers to assist with set-up and break down, hand out prizes and sell concessions. Bingo Night tickets are sold via the Willard Store, and the number of ticket sales sold will determine the number of prizes needed.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Book Fair
The book fair is a multi-day event held twice a year, during which each class has the opportunity to shop during school hours. Parents can also fulfill teacher ‘wish lists’ for classroom books
Coordinators will work with our Scholastic representative and the school to secure dates and times for the fair, secure location and needs via the School Facilities form, receive book delivery, and coordinate volunteers for Fair set-up, break down, and book sales.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Circus Week (open to 5th Grade parents)
Circus Week is an annual program that kicks off with a school-wide assembly. Over the course of a week, students attend hands-on circus-themed workshops during their regularly scheduled PE time. These workshops introduce students to activities aimed at improving motor skills, coordination, focus, and boosting self-esteem. The fifth graders work to perfect their skills as well as plan, produce and perform in their own circus show. The week culminates with the students performing their routines for each grade during the school day and then again for parents/family members in the evening.
Coordinators will work with Willard Phys Ed teachers to secure the date of Circus Week. Coordinators will oversee parent volunteers for in-class help, circus performance ambassadors, and circus item sales.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Community Services
Willard Gives Back! Every year we sponsor a Thanksgiving Food Drive, Holiday Gift Collection, Toiletry Tuesday, and other collection drives to give back to those in our community who need help.
Coordinator will work with the HSA and Principal to select organizations to support, communicate with charity’s representatives to garner current needs,, submit information to the HSA Secretary to include in eNews to garner donations, and oversee drop off of donated items.
Coordinators Needed: 2
DEI Committee: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) committee is a Willard parent volunteer group that serves to enhance the overall education experience by cultivating a more diverse, equitable and inclusive school environment. Committee Members and Volunteers work with the school's principal, staff, and HSA to promote initiatives that celebrate differences in race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and physical/mental abilities.
Coordinators work with HSA throughout the year: they provide website content to share with the Willard community, they help organize and run an International Fair, they research books and/or assemblies that could be used in conjunction with Willard curriculum.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Field Day
Taking place in the spring, Field Day is a fun, school-wide event in which students participate in races and outdoor games in multi-age teams. Parents are encouraged to volunteer or just come to watch the fun!
Coordinators work with Phys Ed teachers on event on overall event details, secure volunteers to assist with game set-up and management and coordinate water distribution.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Frosty Fridays
Held after dismissal on several Fridays in the fall and spring, children are able to purchase and enjoy a frosty treat
Coordinator works with the HSA Fundraising team and school office to select dates for the sales, purchase the frozen treats to be sold, and secure volunteers to help sell and distribute the ice pops.
Coordinators Needed:2
Green Ambassadors
Willard strives to be a green school.
Coordinator works with Mr. Kearns to communicate and organize several ongoing free recycling initiatives, including the Trex Plastic Bag and TerraCycle programs, clothing drives, etc.
Coordinators Needed: 1
International Day
Working along side our DEI Coordinators, you will help to oversee the planning and execution of Willard's International Day. Taking place in April, this program encourages students to investigate and then present their country of choice through music, food, poster boards, etc. The event is attended throughout the school day by our students and then opened up to parents in the evening.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Library Volunteer
Twice monthly (on a rotating schedule), you may volunteer to visit your child’s class during their 45-minute Library period. Library volunteers assist Mrs. Dioro by shelving books, checking student’s books in and out, and helping with any special project she has planned for that day. It's a great way to see your child at school and become familiar with their classmates and other parents.
***Library Duty is a separate from other HSA volunteer opportunities and a separate email will be sent on it's own
Panther Pride Week
Panther Pride week takes place in the Spring. The HSA sponsors special events throughout the week to boost school spirit and to bring the entire Willard community together. Volunteers are needed to assist with activities and to organize giveaways.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Reading Enrichment
This program, aimed at fostering a love of books in our students, aids our Library staff to implement various reading initiatives throughout the school year
Coordinator works with the HSA and Mrs. Diorio to promote and organize the WIllard Birthday Book program, help build our teacher’s classroom libraries by coordinating a gently used book drive, and encourage student participation in the Ridgewood Public Library's Reading Marathon. For this event, the Coordinator will communicate sign up information to teachers and pick up/distribute the Ben and Jerry’s free scoop bookmarks to each classroom for participating students.
Coordinators Needed: 1
School Photo Day
Photo Day is held on one day in September with a make-up day a couple of weeks later
Coordinator works with the HSA, Mrs. Hoffman, and Rod Bolton (photographer) to confirm day and rain date and secure volunteers for each day / time period to assist the photographer, keeping kids in line and helping collect paperwork.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Science Fair
Students have the option to participate in our annual science fair, in conjunction with Ridgewood's Super Science Saturday. Students get to apply their scientific knowledge through independent research. The results of each student's research is presented to other students, teachers and parents in a school-wide science fair where student's efforts are displayed. Families are invited to attend an evening session of the fair.
Coordinators organize Science Fair sign up; promote student participation, procure and distribute t-shirt for participating students, fill out the Facilities Use form to arrange tables and anything else necessary for the Fair, and coordinate volunteers to assist with set-up and break-down.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Teacher Appreciation
Year-long, with Teacher Appreciation Week held in April, this initiative allows the Willard community to together to thank our teachers, administrators, and staff
Coordinators work with the HSA to plan teacher/staff breakfasts and lunches throughout the year, and utilize Class Parents to promote Teacher Appreciation Week, develop and carry out daily appreciation activities (decorations, treats, cards, etc.), and distribute gifts.
Coordinators Needed: 1
Walk to School
Walk to School Month gets our students out, walking and having fun on Mrs. Hoffman’s Walking School Bus! This district-wide initiative is held twice annually, in October and May
Volunteers help hang outdoor banners, assist Mrs. Hoffman as chaperones on routes, and perhaps find someone to wear the Panther costume on the walks!
Coordinators Needed: 1
Willard Dads
Why should mom's have all the fun?! This new position will allow you to come up with ways for our Willard fathers to get together throughout the year, whether by starting a Dad's softball team, planning fun nights out, or organizing other interest groups.
Coordinators Needed: 2
Willard Wear
Sales of Willard Wear help fund assemblies, programs, and HSA initiatives. Volunteers are responsible for assisting with in-person sales and delivering online orders of School Spirit clothing and items throughout the year.
Coordinators Needed:1
Yearbook
The Willard yearbook records the school year's highlights. It contains wonderful photos of our students, teachers, staff, classrooms, clubs, assemblies, events and programs. Distributed to each student (paid for via School Dues), it is a great memory book which will be cherished for many years to come!
Coordinators work year-round to gather photos of the various assemblies, events, and programs that take place in and out of school. From March-June you will work on the actual production of the book-- overall design, layout of pages, promote sale of ads and boosters, work with the HSA on order placement, and distribute the books on the last day of school.
***Volunteers will be recruited by class parents after the start of the school year.
Coordinators Needed: 2
4th of July Parade
The 4th of July Celebration is a long-standing Ridgewood tradition and each school creates a float to participate in the Parade
Coordinators work with the HSA to devise a theme for the Willard float, develop and manage a budget for materials, (truck rental, supplies, t-shirts, etc.), work with volunteers to oversee float production, and transport float in Ridgewood 4th of July Parade.
Coordinators Needed: 2