Parents Association
Welcome to the Parents Association
The Parents Association of Collegiate School is a volunteer organization whose mission is to promote communication and understanding between parents and the school. It was founded in the late 1920s; part of what makes our community unique is this long tradition of interaction among faculty, administration, and families. The list of committees on the PA Slate describes the many areas in which the PA is active. There is an opportunity for everyone to participate and no time commitment is too small.
PA Meetings are held monthly from October to May. All parents are encouraged to attend. Meetings are generally held on the first or second Wednesday of the month. Each meeting addresses some aspect of Collegiate life, with speakers from the faculty, administration, or student body; PA Committee Chairs have the opportunity to announce upcoming events and volunteer opportunities; the Head of School also makes a brief presentation on topical subjects. A newsletter reflecting the content of the meeting is emailed to families each month.
While all Collegiate School parents are members of the Association by virtue of having a student enrolled at the School, the volunteer structure of the PA is organized into three groups:
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The Executive Committee of the PA is composed of the officers indicated on the committee list. This committee meets at the discretion of the President of the PA and not fewer than four times a year. The Executive Committee acts as a sounding board for the President in establishing policies and procedures for the Parents Association.
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Class Representatives serve as liaisons between home and school, providing a channel of information to parents and acting as a conduit of information back to the school. As part of the Parents Association, they organize activities such as class potluck dinners, arrange for field trip chaperones, and, in general, support their children’s teachers and the Division Heads as necessary. Class Representatives meet with their respective Division Head, the chair of Class Representatives, and the President of the PA in the fall, winter, and spring.
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Service Committees vary considerably in their time commitments and endeavors, but ultimately each one provides an opportunity for parents to become more involved in the life of the school.
How to Get Involved
Positions in the PA are filled by the Nominating Committee, which is headed by the Chair of Class Representatives and consists of at least one parent from each division of the school and the PA President. Each year, parents are encouraged to indicate their areas of interest and nominate themselves or a fellow parent. Please log in to view a survey with descriptions of all the PA positions and ways to get involved. In addition, you may volunteer at any time throughout the year by emailing pa@collegiateschool.org. You can see all PA-related information here (Collegiate Connect login required).
Benefit
Each year the School, in conjunction with the PA, holds a fundraising benefit with 100% of Benefit proceeds (after event expenses) supporting the School’s Financial Aid program. Please visit the Benefit page to learn more and to support the Benefit!