Dear Center School Families:

Last week, the Center School Community Association (CSCA) wrote to you about the crisis in funding and volunteering that threaten the CSCA’s efforts continue to support your students and The Center School. This letter follows up on specific ways you can help.

House Party Fundraisers

The CSCA has planned two House Party Fundraisers: Saturday, May 7th and Sunday, May 15th from 5 to 7:30 pm. The House Parties are designed to help Center School parents connect, highlight the great arts curriculum supported by the CSCA and, most importantly, raise funds to support The Center School. Of course, we need you to attend the House Parties (parents really enjoyed the House Parties last spring) and donate what you can. But we also need help to organize and staff the House Parties:

• One volunteer to begin working now with Margaret Chodos-Irvine, Center School Arts Liaison, to help showcase the Center School arts programs at the House Parties. This will include collaborating with the Drama, Film/Photography, Poetry, and Visual Arts staff and students.

• Two volunteers to work with the CSCA Board to help plan the fundraising and payment mechanisms for the House Parties.

• Two volunteers to help call parents in early May who don’t RSVP for the House Parties.

• About 10 volunteers to work with the House Party hosts to plan and organize the food, drink, set-up and clean up for the House Parties. This should entail one planning meeting, a few planning emails, and help the day of the event.

Contact Julie Vergeront at jvergeront@yahoo.com to help with the House Parties.

Staff Appreciation Week (May 2-6)

• One volunteer to buy and deliver chocolate for the staff on Monday, May 2

• Three volunteers to provide and coordinate treats for the staff meeting afterschool on Wednesday, May 4

• Volunteers to help Peggy Morgan with the Staff Appreciation Luncheon on Friday, May 6

Contact Julie Vergeront at jvergeront@yahoo.com to help with the Staff Appreciation.

Leadership for 2011-2012 CSCA

The CSCA leadership and active members this year have been made up almost exclusively of junior parents who have been actively involved in the CSCA since their students were freshman. Many of these parents need to step back from serving on the CSCA Board and as committee chairs next year, but will be available to advise and mentor the new CSCA Board and support the CSCA in other ways (like Senior Events). The CSCA therefore needs new parents, especially the parents of freshman and sophomores, to step up to lead the CSCA. Open positions include:

Executive Board Positions* (these are mandatory and must be filled)

1. President      Open

Vice-President  Open                      

1. Secretary   Open
2. Treasurer        Open

*These are elected positions but there is rarely more than one candidate

2011-2012 General Board Positions

Community Building Committee Chair: Plan and coordinate events that foster connections among Center School parents, staff, and students.

Fundraising Committee Chair: Coordinate Direct Giving Campaign in the fall and House Parties or other fundraisers in the spring.

Volunteer Coordinator: Help recruit and coordinate volunteers for specific events or needs.      

Filling these positions is critical for the CSCA to remain a viable entity. If you have any questions about what these positions entail please e-mail Paul Dieter at csca@me.com and he will direct you to the person who will be able to give you the best information.

Please seriously consider what you can do to support The Center School and the CSCA.

Sincerely,

Julie Vergeront

Community Building Committee Chair