What is the Parent School Organization?
The Parent School Organization (PSO) promotes parental support of school programs, bridges communication between the school and parents, and welcomes/promotes a vibrant sense of community. There are a variety of roles and opportunities within the PSO. Meetings take place monthly. All school parents are members of the PSO and are welcome to attend meetings, and encouraged to volunteer for activities that lift the school.
The PSO’s mission is to enhance home and school communication, support the school faculty and staff, facilitate opportunities for parents to meet other parents, provide ongoing parent education, raise funds for the school, and coordinate volunteers for our school.
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St. Athanasius Parent Student Organization Opportunities
School Supply Order
Each year, PSO works with a vendor to make it possible for parents to order their school supplies for the upcoming year. These supplies are delivered directly to the school classroom for the first day of school. The current vendor is The Write Stuff.
Hospitality
A group of volunteers works to provide hospitality at key moments throughout the school year, including the Back to School Ice Cream Social, welcome coffees the first week of school, parent night refreshments, science fair judge meals, and more.
New Family Reception
A parent volunteer hosts a reception at their home for all of the new parents joining St. A's along with their matched host parents as an opportunity to be welcomed into the community and meet parish leadership.
Teachers’ Lounge
PSO helps to decorate and stock the Teachers’ Lounge with snacks and drinks.
Room Parent Coordinator
One to two Room Parents are recruited each year to coordinate communication with parents and teachers. Room Parents also support community building among their class and share information about St. As events and opportunities.
Sacrament Receptions
Parent volunteers host receptions at the Parish following First Communion, Confirmation, and Graduation by decorating and providing refreshments for attendees.
Uniform Exchange
PSO makes it possible for families to share their gently worn uniform items with other families. Parents are able to visit the Uniform Exchange during specific hours to take any items they need for their children. Donations are accepted all year round.
Lunch Program
PSO manages a lunch program four days a week. Each month parents are given the option to purchase lunches for their children. Parent volunteers coordinate all aspects of this program including food purchase and daily food service. Orders are placed online - https://saintas.hotlunches.net/.
Book Fair
In partnership with Scholastic Books, PSO coordinates an annual book fair for students and families. Students are allowed to browse and shop during the day, and families are invited to shop during specified times before and after school.
Santa Breakfast
PSO manages this annual fundraiser and community-building event in December. Santa Claus visits our school so that he can take photos with families. PSO volunteers transform the school into a winter wonderland filled with age- appropriate crafts, activities, and food.
Lost & Found
PSO helps the school to gather lost items and organizes them in the hopes that they are reunited with their owners.
Teacher Appreciation
Each year a group of parent volunteers works together to develop a plan for how best to express our gratitude for the teachers of St. As. This expression varies but has involved weeklong activities, stand-alone events, and meals provided throughout the year. There is never just one way to pay thanks, and this PSO Committee proves that each year.
Rummage Sale
The Rummage Sale is the PSO’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Funds are raised to provide direct enhancements for the students, faculty and staff. The sale is a week-long effort that requires the sorting, organizing and selling of thousands of donated items, such as furniture, clothing, housewares, toys, electronics, and sports equipment. This event unites all school and parish families in service.
Yearbook
Throughout the school year PSO volunteers gather photos of students, faculty and school events to capture our memories in a yearbook. This yearbook is made available for purchase each year to all school families.
Please reach out to the Executive Committee with questions or to get involved:
President: Sabrina Townsend
Vice President: Megan Bachman
Treasurer: Anna Nagorney
Secretary: Susan Worth
PSO Contact: [email protected]
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