The Center School Parent Union

October 2009

Welcome to the Greenfield Center School! I am so excited that you have chosen this school because I love it dearly. The Center School has many traditions and careful ways of introducing children to their classrooms, games, and to one another. The first several weeks of the school year are designed to help your child develop a strong sense of comfort and belonging.

For the adults in the community our connections grow through the children and the classrooms, and through school-wide activities. As the steward of the Parent Union (the  Center School version of a PTO) I focus on community building, and helping people direct their energy and resources to support the school. The Parent Union is not a subset of people. It’s all of us. Every parent helps in myriad ways to accomplish wonderful things each year. The three areas of commitment that each of us has to balance are, in order of importance; supporting our children as students, supporting the teachers, and supporting the school overall.

The Parent Union is mainly concerned with that third piece. We have few meetings because we’re all juggling jobs, kids at multiple schools, commutes from all over the valley, life. But the ultimate goal is for every one of us to have fun together and to help the school thrive.

So if we don’t have a council, or meetings, then how can you get involved? Good question! Read the Monday Bulletin and the letters from classroom teachers. There are always calls for volunteers. Keep an eye out for signs in the driveway, check your email for special messages, and make it a habit to check the board in the school office for signups every week or so. If you have a special skill or interest, let me or Charlie Spencer know so we can try to figure out how best to apply that gift. Most of all call or email me any time about anything.

The events for the upcoming year are mapped out, although there are often additions as opportunities arise. You will see more details in Monday Bulletins which come by email or printouts are available in the school office. If you are able to help, I want your help! I look forward to meeting you on the playground, in the carline, at Open house, on a field trip, at work day… 

Sincerely,
Jen Stromsten
413-773-7130  jen@goodenoughliving.com
Mom of Vivian (6th grade Uppers) & Lucy (Mups)

GREENFIELD CENTER SCHOOL 2010-2011 PU ACTIVITIES

COFFEE SALES The Center School’s only ongoing fundraiser features delicious Dean’s Beans coffee, a local business. It’s great way to help the school doing buying something you already use. Forms are always available in the school office, or download the order form here .

PARENT COFFEES These are monthly opportunities to meet a few parents, check in with the Head of School, drink coffee. They are always in the brick building afterschool room, and advertised in the bulletin as well as car-line sign. 

OPEN HOUSE October. This is what other schools call Back to School Night. We have classroom time and also a gathering of all parents with the Head of School. It’s a wonderful chance to meet other families and to gain some valuable insights into GCS methods and curriculum, and then to socialize for a little while with other parents.

FALL WORK DAY October. Mike does an amazing job keeping our school beautiful and functioning. But it helps a lot for parents to spend some time in spring and fall handling large mulch jobs, pruning, bulb planting, clearing brush. Many hands make light work.

HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL After school on the Friday before Halloween we just have some fun at school with games, activities, crafts like mask making, face-painting, donut dangling.

CRAFT FAIR Saturday, December 3rd, all day. The Greenfield Center School Rumpus! An all-day admissions open house with craft activities in each classroom of the brick building, plus a terrific craft fair with local artisans filling the Finer building. We have delicious food, a silent auction, demonstrations.  

CITRUS SALE December. Organic oranges and grapefruits just in time for the holidays. The Uppers spearhead this fundraiser designed to support specific classroom needs.

CONTRA DANCE February. It turns out that Greenfield is a mecca for Contra Dancing, a form of traditional dancing that takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. And as it turns out, GCS is lucky enough to have a set of parents who belong to what could arguably be called The Best Contra Band Around. Each year they throw a dance to benefit the school. We invite our families and friends, and it’s a generally wonderful time.

SPRING CLEANUP DAY May.

ADMISSIONS TEAS and BRIDGE DAY Spring. One of the things parents help with throughout the spring is welcoming prospective students and families who visit the school.

TEACHER APPRECIATION LUNCHEON Wednesday before graduation.

This is NOT a comprehensive calendar. Teachers will keep you up on classroom events. The Bulletin will be filled with dates ranging from Uppers Project Night to school picture day. These are mainly parent-run events. If you can help, call Jen Stromsten at 773-7130, email jen@goodenoughliving.com, or leave a note with Amber in the school office. Thank you!