Hollin Meadows Earth Day Celebration 2008 For the past three years the HM PTA has sponsored an Earth Day celebration at which, we add a major garden or habitat to our outdoor education program. This year we installed a literecry garden in the courtyard behind the Library. There were opportunities to paint a mural, plant, dig and build and have fun in all parts of our outdoor education centers. It was an enjoyable day of community gardening at Hollin Meadows! For more information contact outdoor education coordnator Shawn Akard, or any of our PTA board members.

Hollin Meadows Volunteer Opportunities

Ongoing Projects and Events

Monthly PTA Meetings and Free Family Dinners – How about a free dinner for your family AND find out what’s going on at Hollin Meadows!  Helpings hands are needed for set up and clean up; as well as coordinating high school childcare providers. 

Children’s Garden / Wildlife Habitat – Our outdoor classrooms are continuing to grow!  Green thumbs are not required but digging hands are always welcome in the gardens.  School day, evening and weekend opportunities abound.  Click here to view our musical slideshow from Earth Day 2006. (Slideshow requires the photodex plug-in, which is automatically loaded when you click the slideshow link.)

Thanksgiving Luncheon –Volunteers are needed to help sell tickets and serve our traditional holiday meal for students and their families.  You can sit and enjoy lunch with your child and help out before or after. 

Fun Fair – The kids look forward to this all-day Saturday event each year.  There are many ways to help make this a successful and fun day for everyone.  Volunteers are needed both in the planning and executing of this great event. 

Family Dance – Come get your groove on at the evening school dance.  Assistance is needed with planning and on the night of the event. 

BINGO Nights – It could be your lucky night!  Join in this fun family event and maybe even go home with a prize!  Volunteers are needed to sell BINGO cards and concessions

Fundraisers

Sally Foster Gift Wrap Sale –
The sale of Sally Foster gift wrap is the PTA’s primary fundraiser.  Children are encouraged to sell to family and acquaintances, not go door to door.  The sale takes place in September and purchases distributed in November.  Volunteers are needed to tally orders and help with distribution. 

Trash Bags –
Back by popular demand!  The PTA sponsors a sale of heavy duty trash bags, both clear bags (for lawn clippings) and tall kitchen bags.  Assistance is needed for tallying orders and with distribution. 

Bakes Sales – Do you love to bake?  We need you on Election Day and at other baking events throughout the year.  Assistance is needed providing delicious treats and at the sales table.  The first one is in early November on Election Day! 

Cookie Dough
This is a new fundraiser for the PTA.  Sally Foster is selling frozen cookie dough that will be PERFECT for those winter holiday snack trays.  Help will be needed with tallying orders and distribution.  Sales will begin in November! 

Spirit Wear
Show your Hollin Meadows spirit by wearing one of our great school t-shirts / sweatshirts.  Or maybe buy a fun pencil or cool water bottle with the school’s logo.  Help is needed with a sales table at a variety of events during the school year. 

Roy Roger’s Nights
The Roy Roger’s at Belle View Shopping Center generously opens their doors to Hollin Meadows families and friends to donate 10% of an evening’s profit to the PTA.  Lots of fun….and you don’t have to cook dinner!  Volunteers are needed to help coordinate these evenings. 

General Mills Box Tops / Campbell’s Labels
Volunteers are needed to assist in the collection and tallying of box tops and labels.  The companies GIVE US MONEY if we return these items to them. 

Safeway / Giant Buying Clubs
Every purchase you make at Safeway or Giant means money for our kids.  Sign up online or in the stores to participate in this program.  Be sure to use your club cards when you check out so your purchase is included in our tally!  You MUST renew registration EVERY school year. 

Ongoing PTA After-School Programs

Odyssey of the Mind – This creative problem solving competition needs volunteer coaches to guide small groups of students.  Time commitment is approximate two hours a week, November till spring.  Training for coaches is provided.

Hands On Science – This national program, with classes once a week for 8 weeks, is offered two times during the year at Hollin Meadows.  Teachers are needed and are trained and paid to teach; all necessary materials are provided.

Chess Club – Here’s a great chance for kids to learn the rules of this challenging game and have fun too.  Do you know your rook from a knight?  Help with this club is always appreciated.

FLEX – This county-sponsored language program is a great way to get the flavor of another culture for your student.  Offer your time to make this program strong and effective at Hollin Meadows.

Other Clubs – Do you have a great idea for an after school club!  Let us know, we’ll help you get it up and running! 

During-the-School-Day PTA Jobs

Room Parents – Volunteers are needed from each class to serve as room parents responsible for coordinating activities as designated by the teacher.  Assistance will be needed with coordinating volunteers throughout the year for your class. 

Buzzette Copying and Distribution – Our three-times-a-month newsletter is sent home in the Tuesday folders.  Tuesday morning copying and distribution to teacher’s mailboxes is needed. 

Teacher Appreciation – Volunteers are needed to help coordinate four teacher appreciation luncheons during the school year.  Assistance is needed creating filers asking for food donations, receiving food on the day of the lunch, set-up and clean-up. 

Cafeteria Assistance – Are you good at opening milk cartons?  Just show up any day of the week to help monitor the cafeteria during lunchtime.  No advance planning required! 

It’s a Small World – The bulletin board in the school lobby features different students and staff throughout the school year.  The board highlights the many countries where our school families have lived.  Volunteers are needed to collect information and decorate the bulletin board.   

Reflections – This national PTA sponsored program encourages student to enter original projects in the arts.  Entries are judged and honored at a reception and winners participate at higher levels.  Volunteers are needed to help with publicity, visual arts displays and the reception. 
For information about the Reflections project and previous Reflections project winners (and ideas):
www.vapta.org

(Look under Primary Division for each category)
For entry form and directions, click the links below:
English Version
Spanish Version

(This is a PDF document.)
These forms can also be picked up at school.

Assisting Specialist Teachers – The art room always needs additional hands.  Library books regularly need reshelving.  The PE department needs help on field day.  Reading tutors are a wonderful way to help.  Let us know if we’ve sparked your interest! 

Off-Site / Evening PTA Jobs

Data Entry and Computer skills - Volunteers are needed to type and enter data for a variety of projects including:  Membership, Volunteer Coordination and Student Directory.  This can be done from home or work! 

Buzzette and Calendar Writing – Volunteers are needed to receive information for the Buzzette and compile into newsletter format.  Additional help is needed in coordinating a monthly calendar which will be set out once a month with the Buzzette

Email Communication Coordinator– The PTA is working to transmit as much of our information as possible via email.  Help is needed compiling email addresses and communicating regularly with the families of Hollin Meadows.