Health and Welfare
Special Needs
Community Sharing
Welcome Committee
Kitchen Patrol (formerly Busy Bakers)
Health Screening
National Walk to School Day
Staff Appreciation
Science
Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Tuesday Staff Luncheons
Childcare
Safe Arrival
Click the link to Volunteer now for a committee!
The Health and Welfare committee is responsible for both Students and Teachers alike. The students and their families benefit from the “
Safe Arrival” division. This is a small group of parents who will contact you if your child isn’t in attendance and you haven’t called to say they’ll not be in school that day. The Health and Welfare committee also is involved in Health Screening for our children, with vision, hearing, and scoliosis testing for 5th graders. The teachers also benefit from the Health and Welfare committee. This division shows our appreciation for all the hard work the teachers do, by giving them a yummy, tasty luncheon to enjoy once a month. We couldn’t do this without our “Busy Bakers” a wonderful division of the Health and Welfare committee. They’re the talented kitchenistas, the people who can take a handful of ingredients and make something delicious. We tap the “Busy Bakers” frequently, for monthly Luncheons, the Health Screening, Staff Appreciation, and Election bake sales. Another important division of Health and Welfare is the Emergency Preparedness division. This section helps to prepare for student and teacher needs in case of an emergency. We organize the student emergency forms, request and gather the comfort kits for each student. We periodically check the inventory of the e-prep supplies, discard expired supplies, and purchase fresh supplies with PTA funds.Community Sharing
Chairperson:
Time commitment:
Last year Ben Rush participated in “Jump Rope for Heart”, coin collection for
Hopelink (which raised $1639.24!), a food drive, and “Hoops for Hope”. Previous
years included a gift drive for winter holiday needs and the “Teddy Bear Patrol”
for Redmond Police/Fire Departments. A chairperson with enthusiasm for community outreach
is needed.
Welcome Committee
Chairperson:
Time commitment: First day of school 8:30-10:30;
possible other events
Participates in Welcome Coffee for new families on the first day of school, and other
events during the year. Most important function is to greet new parents to share
information and help them feel comfortable on their first day at Ben Rush. May be asked to
set up tables, make coffee, and/or help put together welcome gifts.
Health Screening
Chairperson: Tracy Shaffer
Time commitment: One morning, October 4, ONLY.
An annual vision, hearing, and scoliosis check, with parent volunteers assisting district
nurses to screen students. This is a vital one-day volunteer opportunity --- and a chance
to meet (and help!) many Ben Rush children. No special training is necessary.
National Walk-to-School Day (October 5, 2005)
Chairperson:
Time commitment: October 5; some preparation beforehand
On October 5, we hope Ben Rush will participate in this national event, promoting safety
and self-reliance. We need people to help organize the event, and people willing to pitch
in on that day: from helping with classroom “mapping” projects and working with
safety patrols, to handing out treats and incentives.
Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Chairperson: Karen Gear
Time commitment: most time in September; some ongoing
Help prepare for student needs in case of emergency. Organize student emergency forms;
request and gather comfort kits from each student; assist in emergency drills;
periodically check inventory of e-prep supplies, discard expired foods, purchase fresh
(with PTA funds). This is one of the most important functions of the PTA!
Staff Appreciation
Chairperson: Tracy Shaffer
Time commitment: Various times throughout the year
Volunteers may choose to help with each, any or all of the following:
- Throughout the year, help arrange for little thank-you’s and surprises for our
staff
- Help serve a luncheon during student conference week in November, and brunches on staff
workdays
- Observe National Staff Appreciation Week in May by thanking our staff in various ways:
food, gifts, cards, flowers…. (any other ideas?)
If you want to help show our wonderful staff how much they are valued, this is the place!
Kithchen Patrol (formerly Busy Bakers)
Chairperson: Amy Smith
Time commitment: Various events throughout the year, including:
- Election Day bake sales (November 8, 2005)
- Staff lunches--see below. (On the second Tuesday of each month--mark your
calendars!)
- Spring carnival cake walk
- Other PTA events
Would you be willing to make treats sometimes? This is a great job for people who prefer
to do their volunteer time at home, or whose schedules usually prevent them from
volunteering during the school day.
Kitchen Patrol--Tuesday Staff Luncheons
Chairperson: Amy Smith
Time commitment: Second Tuesday of each month
Contribute a food item (e.g. soup, salad, loaf of bread?) and bring it in sometime before
11:00 for our wonderful staff to lunch on. Pick up your already-cleaned crockpots after
school. This is a great way to participate in the PTA without having to spend time during
the school day. The teachers & staff love to be fed!
Childcare
Chairperson:
Time commitment: Occasional PTA meetings, special events
Occasionally the PTA hosts events (e.g. parent education night) which parents are unable
to attend due to lack of childcare. We need a list of people who can be called upon as
needed to mind children in the gym during these events. Toys and other activities
provided. (This is a great way for teenagers to accrue Community Service hours).
Safe Arrival
Chairperson: Tracy Shaffer
Time commitment: ½ hour per week – OR - every other week
Volunteers take turns working with the school office between 8:45-9:15 a.m., checking
class absentee lists and messages left on the “Safe Arrival” telephone line.
They ensure the safety of Ben Rush children by following up on unexplained absences.
Science
Chairperson:
Time commitment:
Click the link to
Volunteer now for a committee!This page will change as we form new committees for the 2005-2006 school year.
If you would like to help on a committee, please contact us.
Thank you.