PSPA Volunteer Opportunities
Welcome, parents!
My name is Sonia Jay and I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the Pingry School Parents' Association. If you have a lot of time or just a little time, we can always use your help. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet other parents. Please join us in supporting our children and The Pingry School!
If you have any questions, please email me at pspa-volunteer@pingry.org.
If you are interested in volunteering for the PSPA, please submit your interest online.
ADMISSION VOLUNTEER
Assist at new parent events/Open Houses, work with prospective/newly admitted parents at the direction of the PSPA Admissions Volunteer Coordinator and the Admissions Officers.
ARTS COMMITTEE
Work with the PSPA arts liaison to facilitate both the dramatic and visual arts programs on both campuses.
ATHLETIC COMMITTEE
Our Athletic Director, Gerry Vanasse, has many new and creative ideas to help build school spirit. Volunteers on both campuses are needed to encourage parents and students to attend athletic events and to hand out spirit giveaways and refreshments throughout the year. This committee also includes Winter Sports Night.
BEAUTIFICATION
Short Hills Campus only.
Work with the PSPA beautification chairperson to provide seasonal and festive decorating of main halls. Coordinate background stage decor for winter and spring concerts and 5th-grade Moving Up Day.
BOOKSTORE VOLUNTEERS
Basking Ridge Campus only.
Assist bookstore manager with stocking and selling items in the Pingry Bookstore. Volunteers must be willing to work an every-other-week schedule for the full nine months of the school year. Shifts are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
CLASS OR FORM PARENT
Serve as the liaison between the PSPA, parents, and school for the class or form. Make calls and send emails to communicate PSPA and other school information. Encourage parents to attend PSPA meetings, the Fall Benefit, social functions, and special events. Help new parents feel welcome and involved at Pingry. Short Hills only—Help with party planning, field trips, and class coffees.
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Basking Ridge Campus only.
Assist with coordinating service projects such as the fall Community Service Movie Night or the Martin Luther King Day of Service.
END-OF-YEAR BBQ
This all-school family BBQ lunch is held in late May on the Basking Ridge campus. Help with decorating, setting up and cleaning up. Volunteers are also needed during the event.
FALL BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Serve on a committee as part of the annual PSPA fundraising event for the entire school. Many people are needed for the fundraiser to assist with silent and live auctions, raffles, acquisitions, and the fashion show. Volunteers are needed in both planning throughout the year and on the day of the event.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
Help with decorating, set-up and clean-up for this all-school event on the Basking Ridge campus. This fun family party coincides with the only night Varsity home football game, held under the lights on a fall Friday.
GRADUATION
Basking Ridge Campus only. Forms V-VI parents.
Plan and assist at graduation events. Parents take informal photographs on graduation day, help graduates with gowns, assist with post graduation celebration, and serve as greeters at other graduation-related events.
GRANDPARENTS/SPECIAL FRIENDS DAY
Short Hills Campus only.
Volunteers are needed for the Short Hills Grandparents Day held annually in May. Hours are 8:30 am – 12:00 p.m. on the day of the event. Responsibilities include checking in visitors, assisting with directions within the school and/or physical assistance to our elderly visitors. Mandarin, Hindi, and Spanish skills are a plus but not required.
LIBRARY
Short Hills Campus only.
Assist librarians with checking student books in and out, shelving, and small projects. Volunteers must be willing to work an every-other-week schedule for the full nine months of the school year. Shifts are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
LOST AND FOUND
Basking Ridge Campus only.
Organize books, backpacks, clothing, and other lost items, on a once-a-month basis.
LUNCHROOM
Short Hills Campus only. Grades 1-3.
Attend lunch with your child’s class. This allows the teachers an open period once a week. Volunteers are assigned shifts on a rotating basis depending on the number of volunteers who sign up and on your availability.
MOVING UP DAY
Short Hills Campus only. Grade 5 parents.
Organize 5th-grade class party. Coordinate class gift to the school, create a composite photo of the graduating class, and decorate for the Moving Up Day exercises.
PINGRY FUND
Philanthropy helps to bridge the gap between tuition and the actual cost of a Pingry education. Volunteers support the Office of Alumni & Development by soliciting fellow parents to participate in The Pingry Fund.
POTLUCK PARTIES
Volunteers are needed to host a potluck parent event for each grade and form. The idea is to have a low key, potluck evening inclusive of all parents from your child’s grade or form.
SHORT HILLS FUN FAIR
Held in June, the Fun Fair is the end of the year party for the Short Hills students. Help with decorating, setting up, running activity booths, and cleaning up. Volunteers are needed the day of the fair and in some cases for planning throughout the year.
SHORT HILLS PARENT PARTY
Help with decorating, set-up and clean-up for this parent social event, held on the Short Hills campus on a Friday night in October.
SPEAKER SERIES
Assist chairperson with arranging speakers, publicity, and brochures.
SPRING BOOK FAIR
Short Hills Campus only.
Assist chairpersons with setting up and breaking down the fair, cashiering, and helping the younger students select books. Volunteers will also be needed for the library Wish Books project and the Bookstore table.
OTHER
Not sure what you'd like to do? Not sure about the time commitment? Do you have a special talent or skill (i.e. graphic design or communications experience, technology expertise, a connection to construction, the arts, athletics)? Use the comments section on the web sign-up form to let us know how we can help you and how you can help us.
For volunteer chairs only
