PARENT ASSOCIATION

Welcome to Puddletown Parent Association! Our mission is to support Puddletown School by providing opportunities for parent participation that directly benefit the children and staff, as well as strengthen the Puddletown community.

PARENT ASSOCIATION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Parent Association Executive Committee organizes a variety of activities and events. The Executive Committee is comprised of a group of Puddletown parent volunteers; each member oversees a focus area, including:

Community

Organize back-to-school picnic, monthly material making gatherings, and monthly parent coffees. Connect incoming families with a mentor family prior to start date. Announce monthly Puddletown Playdates.

Fundraising

Assist Andrea in promoting the auction and recruiting volunteers. Proceeds from the auction fund the Puddletown scholarship. Photos of past auctions are posted here. Coordinate the rummage sale.

Facility

Organize two school-wide work parties for upkeep of classrooms and grounds. Recruit volunteers for projects needed in classrooms (building, handiwork, etc).

Hospitality

Recruit volunteers to bring appetizers/desserts to events such as Parent Education night. Plan and coordinate teacher appreciation gifts prior to winter break. Coordinate support for families going through transition (new baby, illness, etc.).

Communication

Create content for the Parent Association page on Puddletown's web site. Distribute monthly calendar handout of events in each student's folder. Assist in disseminating information to parents about various events as needed.

Other: (All Executive Committee members)

Host a Parent Association Social at beginning of school year.

We encourage parents to join the Executive Committee or volunteer to help with events.

EVENTS and ACTIVITES

See calendar for event dates.

Back to School Picnic

Bring a picnic lunch and picnic blanket for your family. The kids and parents have a great time reconnecting and meeting the new Puddletown families.

Parent Association Social

Get to know the other Puddletown parents. Hear a detailed description of Puddletown annual events as well as activities sponsored by the Parent Association. Learn about ways to participate in Puddletown's community and share your thoughts and ideas.

Parent Coffees

A casual gathering of Puddletown parents at Funky Door (28th & Holgate), after morning drop off. Meets monthly.

Material Making Gatherings

Meet in the Rec Room after morning drop off to help make the wonderful materials our children use everyday in the classroom. It's a great opportunity for parents to chat and get to know each other. Andrea will be present at most of these gatherings and available for open discussions. It's also a great way to become familiar with the materials your child works with in the classroom. (And it's a HUGE help to the teachers!). Meets monthly.

Fall and Spring Work Parties

Bring your cleaning and gardening supplies to help spruce up the classrooms and grounds. It's a fun, parent-only event that leaves the facility looking great for our kids! Our hope is that one or both parents from each family can participate for 2 hours during at least one of the work parties.

Puddletown Playdates

Each month an activity will be announced such as swimming, roller-skating, seeing a play, etc. These activities typically fall on a weekend or a day the school is closed. It's a good opportunity to enjoy a Portland children's activity, while knowing that some of your child's classmates will also be there.

PUDDLETOWN COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Google Group

Information about upcoming Puddletown events, activities, etc is announced via the Puddletown School Google group. We encourage parents to use the Google group to communicate with other parents: share resources, ask advice, initiate a group Puddletown playdate at a park, the zoo, or whatever activity or event you have in mind.

Mentor families for families new to Puddletown

Families new to Puddletown will be connected with a current Puddletown family, prior to their child's start date. The goal is to assist new families in feeling welcome and supported as their child's makes this new, big step. By the time the new child has his or her first day at Puddletown, they will already have a buddy from their new classroom.