Get Involved at Fernbank
Parent involvement makes Fernbank an amazing school! We ask that families volunteer a minimum of 5 hours per school year to help us keep things running smoothly.
Five hours isn't a lot when you think about all the fun activities that your family enjoys at Fernbank. It's a minimal commitment that pays big dividends in feeling more connected with what is happening at school and developing stronger relationships with other parents, teachers, staff and administrators.
Some parents are heavily involved and at the school often, and some are heavily involved but rarely at the school. Many of our volunteers work full-time and are able to help in ways that don't take up a lot of time or interfere with their work schedules.
Scroll down to read about opportunities we have to get involved.
20 hours serving
on Fernbank PAC
2 hours helping with STEM Day
1 hour making treats for the Cookie Swap
3 hours helping with the Fall Picnic
FERNBANK FOUNDATION BOARD
Fernbank’s Foundation is also run by an executive board of parent volunteers that includes:
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President
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Vice-President
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Treasurer
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Secretary
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Auction Chair
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Fund the Fern Chair
We raise money and manage funds used for academic extras such as supplemental teachers, resources for the classroom, teacher training, and materials for art, music, and science lab. We host school fundraising events such as Fund the Fern in the fall and our annual Auction in the spring.
Our Foundation Board meets once per month with school administrators and teacher representatives. Smaller groups may meet more often as necessary.
PTA EXECUTIVE BOARD
Fernbank's PTA is run by an executive board of volunteers:
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2 Co-Presidents
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2 Co-VPs (who will roll into the President roles for the next school year)
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Treasurer
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Secretary
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Communications Chair (Flash, Website)
We oversee PTA committees, the event calendar, and the school year's budget for all of our committees. We organize Open House and some of the other big events for Fernbank, like the Fall Picnic, Fun Run, Film at the Fern, and the International Festival.
Although we speak regularly, we also meet with Fernbank's administration once a month to plan and make sure the PTA's responsibilities are getting handled. Email us if interested!
The PTA Executive Board meets once per month with school administrators.
Learn more about our PTA Committees and Events here.
ANNUAL AUCTION TEAM LEADERS
Each year, the Fernbank Foundation holds our Annual Auction in late winter or early spring. Part of the Foundation's budget is covered by the fall fundraising campaign "Fund the Fern", but the majority is raised at this important event.
Our auction is such a fun evening out (without the kiddos)! It's a great chance to catch up with Fernbank friends & staff, and meet and mingle with new ones. There's always delicious food, drinks, and great entertainment! Check out pictures from last year.
The auction takes A LOT of planning but if tasks are divided out between teams with strong leaders, things go very smoothly!
Please email us if you
are interested in helping plan our next Fernbank Foundation Auction!
PRINCIPAL ADVISORY COUNCIL
The Principal Advisory Council advises and makes recommendations on any matter related to school improvement and student achievement. It is comprised of the principal, staff representatives appointed by the principal, PTA and Fernbank Foundation representatives, and parent representatives who are elected each year in a ballot election. They hold meetings once a month.
Purpose of PAC:
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To bring communities and schools closer together in a spirit of cooperation to solve difficult education problems
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To improve student attendance, academic achievement, provide support for teachers and administrators
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To bring parents into the school-based decision-making process
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To provide the opportunity for involvement in the principal selection process