BE INVOLVED. Any level of participation is welcome and encouraged. This is your community, this is your school, and we can’t wait to learn how you’d like to get involved. Lafayette PTA is a non-profit organization, driven by inspiration, supporting student enrichment opportunities within the community. Put your gifts of time and talent to use, sign up to volunteer - many hands make light work!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
NOTE: To volunteer in the school or with students, you must be an approved volunteer in the SPS system. Questions about your application, email the Lafayette volunteer coordinator: here.
COMMITTEES
Committee Chairs/Coordinators work closely with the PTA Board, providing updates and information as needed to help the Board can make informed decisions when necessary. To join a committee and/or get more information, contact the Committee Chair directly.
Budget Committee: The Budget Committee meets regularly to make sure we are staying within budget. In the Spring, the Committee works closely with School Administrators and the PTA Board to figure out the needs of the school, how to fund those needs. Based on these needs, the Committee formulates a proposed budget for the Board to review and approve on how the fundraising dollars are allocated. Join us if you are interested in being part of the decision-making process of how and what the PTA funds are allocated. The proposed budget is presented to the PTA Board in April/May for review and voting and the Board presents the finalized budget to the general membership for approval in May.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee: We are connecting with each other, sharing resources, discussing ideas, and working to increase our community awareness of all populations and experiences at Lafayette. We would particularly welcome those who do not currently feel their voice is represented or is being heard.
Enrichment Committee: Join us if you interested in being part of the decision-making process of what programs are offered in our Enrichment Program.
Events Committee: Events are what put the FUN into our school. The Back-to-School Get Together, the Family Dance, Winter Market, Skate Nights, Math and Reading Nights, Book Fairs…the opportunities to be involved here are endless. If you have an idea and the time to make it a reality, contact our Event Chairs!
Fundraising Committee: The Lafayette PTA currently has two main fundraising events each year, (1) Move-A-Thon (aka Walk-A-Thon), and (2) Live/Silent Auction. Each of these events have their own committees. Fundraising is integral to the PTA and how we fund programs, events, supplies, curriculum and more. Join our fundraising committees, it truly takes a village to make these events successful.
Nominating Committee: This committee forms in the Spring start recruiting YOU for the next school year’s PTA Board. Work with other parents and school administrators/representatives to be part of the decision-making process. Nominate someone, self-nominations are welcome!
Room Parent: Once Class/Teacher assignment postcards are mailed, it is a great time to think about being a Room Parent. Being a Room Parent/Classroom Helper is a wonderful way to get involved in your child’s school. Each class needs at least one Room Parent (more are welcome as many hands make light work) to assist the teacher and the PTA. Teacher needs vary but your duties may include maintaining a classroom email directory, arranging field trips, organizing parent assistance on special projects, coordinating Teacher Appreciation Week for your class, or planning a class party. “Room Parents” are also needed for Art, Music, PE and the Library. If you are interested or have questions about our Room Parent Program, please contact our Room Parent Coordinator!
Special Education Family Support Network: The Special Education Family Support Network is a volunteer school-based family support program made up of parents within our school with children in our Special Education program. Our parent volunteer Special Education Parent Liaison will help to provide a ‘parent-oriented’ point of connection between schools, district, and PTA. Within the Lafayette community her overall role is to help support families, students, and staff within the special education program at Lafayette Elementary to create best outcomes for students. If you would like to be added to the Special Education Family Support Network or have questions, please contact us.
PROJECT BASED VOLUNTEERING
ONE AND DONE Project Based Volunteering. The PTA supports the school on many levels, it truly takes a village to foster the success of our students and build our community. What makes Lafayette so successful? Students, staff and many, many volunteers working together as a team. We invite you to be a part of that team. Below you will find additional projects we support, put your gifts of time and talent to use! The goal is to have at least 2 volunteers for each position so as we move on and graduate from Lafayette there is always someone with historical knowledge to move the program forward. If you are interested in leading or helping with one of these projects, email us today to find out more information!
Back to School Coordinator: August/September is when we hold our Back-to-School events. It is now tradition that 1st Grade Parents form a committee to coordinate the Kindergarten Playdates (Aug) and Tears and Cheers (1st Day) events.
Community Giving Coordinator: Halloween Candy for Troops, Clothes Drive, Food Drive, etc. There are many ways to give back to our community and to support those in need.
Earth Day Coordinator: Help coordinate school wide Earth Day activities at Lafayette! Do you love instilling eco-friendly practices in the next generation? Come help head up the Earth Day celebration at school. In the past we have done things like wildflower seed bombs, playground clean up, special plantings, Earth Day art projects and readings. Come ready to get your hands in the soil and help make our school a better place.
School Musical/Play: We’d love to bring this back!
Spirit Wear Coordinator: Created to offer affordable, Lafayette branded apparel and merchandise to our students, staff and families year-round, the spirit wear program and this role is a great way to be a part of our school community!
Bike to School Month Coordinator: May is Bike to School Month. It is less about “biking” and more about “moving” and incorporating healthy lifestyle habits.
Teacher & Staff Appreciation: Every year we honor our teachers and staff during Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week, help coordinate how we celebrate our educators ensuring all teachers, staff, and specialists are honored equitably.
Field Day Coordinator: Held in June, Field Day is a day to get all the students outside, moving their bodies, playing games, and having fun. From bubbles, to dance partying, to sports, it’s a really fun day for all! Students are split into two groups, so many volunteers are needed!
Yearbook: Would you like to be a part of documenting a year in the life at Lafayette? If so, we have an opportunity for you working with our yearbook team. Responsibilities include communicating with the Yuen Lui yearbook representative to meet deadlines, taking photos of students and staff at events, organizing photos in the yearbook using the software provided by Yuen Lui, coming up with a theme, running the yearbook cover contest.
5th Grade Promotion: It is now tradition that 4th Grade Parents form a committee to coordinate the 5th Grade Promotion. This committee organizing the event to make it memorable for our 5th Grades and their families. If you would like to help plan a fond farewell, let us know – many hands make light work!
EVENT BASED VOLUNTEERING
The PTA hosts many events throughout the year, starting with the Back to School Celebration and ending with Field Day/Spring Fling (and everything in between). Get your name in the volunteer database and schedule permitting, when events arise we’ll let you know what is available.
TUTORS
One of our most important volunteer requests, tutors are needed for individual or small group help in both general and special education classrooms. Your school volunteer coordinator will work with the teacher to coordinate days and times that are convenient for you. You can give as little as one day a week for a couple of hours or an hour every day. Help with reading, math, or another subject as you prefer. Lafayette welcomes all parents, friends, or community members to volunteer and make a difference in a young person’s education.
PASSION PROJECTS
While we have many volunteer opportunities, if you have an interest you would like to pursue, we are always looking for people to lead/coordinate programs and/or add new positions to the PTA Board. Examples of this include our Garden/Science Program, Health/Fitness, Spirit Wear, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Safety, Running Club, Yoga for Kids, Read Alongs, and Sign Language. These positions were created because of passionate parents who saw a need and wanted to share their gifts of time and talent with our Lafayette students.