Parent Association

Parent Association Mission Statement

The members of the Cincinnati Waldorf School Parent Association (PA) work with the CWS Faculty, CWS Board of Trustees, Council and Administration to facilitate parent involvement in developing a healthy, inclusive, vital community. The members of the CWS PA will strive to create programs and events with the surrounding Cincinnati community to better enhance Waldorf education, community life and public relations.

Parent Association Structure

The PA organization is made up of members serving a variety of capacities. A team of parent leaders oversees successful functioning of the association. Members may also serve as Committee Chairs and Committee Members, or simply as members at large.

An elected Parent Association Representative will be a liaison on the CWS Board of Trustees and the Leadership Council and will provide a two-way channel of information between these groups and the greater CWS Community.

All PA-sponsored operations, functions, activities and/or fundraisers must be brought before the PA for discussion and prior approval by the PA Executive Committee, who will confer with the appropriate parties at CWS to help ensure a collaborative success for all concerned.

Parent Association By-laws - Revised February 2010

CWS Parent Association Committees

There are many committees to choose from depending on your individual skills and interests. PA members create programs and events with the surrounding Cincinnati community that convey the spirit of Waldorf education, and enhance community life and public relations for CWS. PA members can serve in a variety of capacities--on the Executive Committee or specific committees. Described below are the various committees; new events and agendas are created with approval from the PA, administration, and faculty. Spending is approved, in advance, through the PA Treasurer.

To volunteer or become more involved with the PA, please fill out our Parent Service Hours Agreement (link at the bottom of the page) or send us an e-mail.

Parent Association Class Representative

Serves as the liaison for each respective class, teacher, and the PA. The PA Class Rep ensures that regular parent information meetings are offered at least quarterly for the respective classes; they can also serve as a PA Committee Chair.

Faculty/Staff/Alumni Appreciation Committee

Organizes and supervises the appreciation luncheons and events for faculty, staff, and alumni. Works closely with the Hospitality and Volunteer Coordinators to staff and execute luncheons and other events. The Faculty/Staff/Alumni Appreciation Coordinator may create programs beyond the on-going luncheons and holiday event with approval from the PA and the CWS administration. Standing Committees include Faculty/Staff Appreciation Luncheons, Holiday Appreciation Event, Wish List Program, and Alumni Appreciation Events.

Festival Committee

Organizes and supervises school-wide festivals and serves as liaison between faculty, assigned Standing Committee Chairpersons, and the PA. The Festival Coordinator works closely with the Volunteer and Hospitality Coordinators, and CWS administration and faculty to staff and execute these events in line with the CWS mission. Standing Committees include Lantern Walk, May Day, Wintergarden, Rose Ceremony, and Michaelmas.

Information/Publications Committee

Supervises the PA website content, proofs all PA publications and newsletter articles. Standing Committee: CWS website (PA content management).

Parent Development Committee

Organizes and supervises activities regarding transitions of new and old students and families to and from the CWS community. Oversees the continuing development for current families regarding education and school activities. The Parent Development Coordinator works closely with the Hospitality and Volunteer Coordinators, and the faculty and administration.

Community Hospitality Committee

Organizes and supervises all hospitality activities and serves as liaison between assigned Committee Chairpersons, faculty, administration, and the PA. The Hospitality Coordinator will assist other PA coordinators, chairs, and the greater CWS community with various CWS events that require food, beverage, and/or decorations. The Hospitality Coordinator coordinates the collection, storage, and maintenance of all hospitality items.

Volunteer Coordination Committee

Recruits CWS community members to fill various volunteer needs at all CWS events. The Volunteer Coordinator will create, distribute, and maintain the CWS volunteer letter of intent, which is used to generate a volunteer database for filling the volunteer positions throughout the school year. The Volunteer Coordinator ensures Room Representatives have been chosen by and for each class.

Fundraising Committee

Creates and executes various fundraisers throughout the school year to support the PA, faculty, students, administration, and general needs of the CWS. This Committee will coordinate the sale and distribution of the extra copies of the CWS Handbook/Directory. The funds will be disbursed and voted on by the PA, upholding the PA’s Charter status. Standing Committees include Holiday Faire and May Faire.

Executive Committee

Executive members of the PA include the PA president, Vice president, Treasurer, Secretary, and Coordinator positions (described previously).

Parent involvement has always been extremely important at CWS, and is critical to the success of educating children and the vitality of the school. The Parent Association (PA) of CWS is a school-wide organization of parents, alumni parents, faculty, administrators, and supporters who strive to support the faculty, administration, leadership council, and board.

Divided into a number of committees, the PA assumes much responsibility and provides leadership important to building community, supporting new families, planning school events (e.g., festivals, open houses), fund raising, and helping with classroom activities. Each classroom is supported by a PA representative. Regular PA meetings (held alternating morning and evening times) are open to all parents, faculty, Board, administration, and general community. Updates are featured in the PA column of the weekly newsletter Inreach. Fostering parent involvement, the PA continues to develop a healthy, inclusive, and vital CWS community.

Parent Association Meeting Minutes

You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer to view a PDF file. You can download Acrobat Reader from www.adobe.com/reader/.

• Parent Service Hours Agreement
• Parent Service Hours Tracking Sheet

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 PDF files:

• Parent Service Hours Agreement
• Parent Service Hours Tracking Sheet