PA FAQs
PA FAQs
What is the best way for me to stay informed about activities at the school?Show/Hide Answer
- The best way to stay informed in through the Bush website, your Room Representative, the all-school calendar, student notes home and email blasts.
Who is in the Parent Association?Show/Hide Answer
- All parents and guardians of students attending the school are members of the Parent Association. The PA is made up entirely of parent volunteers.
How does the Parent Association fit into the schools operations?Show/Hide Answer
- In general the PA is the main communication link between the parent body and the school. The PA is also the main source/channel for parent volunteers.
- The Parent Association is a committee of The Bush School Board of Trustees. In other words, the PA was created by the Board of Trustees. A member of the PA represents parents on the Board (usually the PA President). PA representatives also serve on the Development, Communications and Educational Programs Committees of the Board of Trustees. A PA representative also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee. A PA representative helps guide the development of the school calendar. This involvement in the governance of the school provides a forum for exchange of ideas and information from and to the Board of Trustees.
- In addition to our role with the Board of Trustees, each PA Vice President meets regularly with their division director to discuss issues and get information to share with the Room Reps of their division and parents.
What is the best way to share an idea, express a concern or have my questions answered by the Parent Association?Show/Hide Answer
- There are many ways in which parents can be heard by the Parent Association.
- Call or email your Room Representative(s). Their job is to answer your questions or direct you to the right place. You can also share your ideas or concerns with the Room Rep. to present at the next Room Rep. meeting.
- Attend your division’s Room Rep meeting or the all-school PA meeting.
- For parents of Middle School and Upper School students, attend the division directors’ monthly brown bag lunches.
- Middle School parents should refer to the middle school handbook which was distributed at the beginning of the school year. The handbook is filled with useful information that can save you a lot of time.
- Talk to us at school. There are pictures of PA officers and Room Reps on the PA bulletin board in the Commons. Please stop us any time to ask a question or share your ideas.
- Finally, contact the Parent Association here.
How can I find out about volunteering at the school?Show/Hide Answer
- There are numerous ways to find volunteer opportunities.
- The Volunteer Portal is a new location on the Bush website. You can access the portal through a pull down menu on the Bush home page under the caption “Parents”. When you click on Volunteer Opportunities you will find a list of the various needs along with a description and the time required. When you find a volunteer opportunity that piques your interest, just email the contact person and request more information, or sign-up. A hardcopy of the Volunteer Portal is available at the front desk of the school; forms can be completed “paper and pencil” and returned to the PA Box at the front desk.
- Go to the Parent Association Bulletin Board in the Commons for current opportunities.
- For parents of Middle School students, Janice Huseby, the Middle School Volunteer Coordinator can guide you and has information about volunteer opportunities specific to the middle school.
- Ask your Room Representative, a PA chair or a PA officer.
- Contact the Parent Association here.
I am a working parent with very limited time. Are there opportunities for me to get involved?Show/Hide Answer
- There are jobs that require a longer commitment of time (i.e. PA secretary) or jobs that are very time-specific (i.e. one morning for Field Day) and every variation in between. The “Volunteer Opportunities” section of the website, located on the Bush Home page under the Parent pull-down menu is your best source of information about the jobs available and the time commitment required.
Who can be a Room Representative and how are they nominated?Show/Hide Answer
- All parents or guardians are eligible to be Room Representatives. In general the nomination process is more of a volunteer process. The Vice Presidents of each division ask the current Room Representatives for recommendations. Parents are also welcome to volunteer. The Vice Presidents then consider the candidates and recruit representatives from the pool. The final decision is approved by the Executive Committee of the PA and reviewed by the division heads and the Head of School. The process begins in February of the preceding year with positions left open for new families to participate.
Can a parent be a Room Representative for more than one year or more than one class?Show/Hide Answer
- Yes. The Parent Association recommends that a parent serve no more than two consecutive terms. This gives other parents the opportunity to serve. We recognize that each class is different and request that whenever possible, everyone be given an opportunity to serve as a Room Representative. We have in the past had parents who where Room Reps in two different classes in the same year. We recommend that a parent carefully consider the time commitment required before volunteering as a Room Rep. for both classes.
What if I can’t be a room representative but I really want to help out in the classroom?Show/Hide Answer
- Contact your head Room Representative to ask what opportunities are available. Teachers at The Bush School know that their resource for classroom volunteers is through the Room Representatives whose job is to coordinate volunteers. Most teachers will communicate their needs for the entire year to the head Room Representative.
When are the Room Representative meetings and can anyone go?Show/Hide Answer
- All Room Representative meetings are posted on the website (Bush home page, pull down the menu under “Parent,” then click on the specific division: Lower, Middle, Upper) and on the all-school calendar. Please check those resources for the most current information.
- All parents and guardians are encouraged to go to the Room Rep. meetings. It’s a great way to stay informed, build relationships and share ideas.
Does the Parent Association have a budget? How does it work?Show/Hide Answer
- Each grade K-12 receives $300 annually from the Parent Association for various activities throughout the year. How the class spends it’s budget is entirely up to the parents and the Room Representatives. The money is used to cover costs such as postage, invitations, get-together events, and class gifts. The money is not for field trips or educational items. Parents who are not Room Reps may submit reimbursement requests but should first get approval from the head Room Rep.
- In addition to the grade-level budget, other PA-sponsored activities are funded by the overall PA budget, including the following:
- Parent Education
- Fifth, Eighth and Twelfth grade graduations
- Teacher Appreciation
- Summer Opportunities Showcase
- PA Expense Participation (to allow financial support so all families can participate in PA sponsored events)
- All Other PA Events and Activities
If I have a question related to my child’s curriculum subjects (i.e. math, English, science, etc.) whom do I talk to?Show/Hide Answer
- The Parent Association does not work with parents in areas related to the school curriculum. We recommend that you talk to your child’s teacher or advisor (for the Middle and Upper schools) first. If you are not satisfied, talk to your division director. If you still feel that there is no resolution then we recommend that you make an appointment to meet with the head of school.
If I want to organize a school event, what should I do?Show/Hide Answer
- The Parent Association has prepared an outline of the steps required to plan an event for the school. First contact the PA president or your divisional vice presidents to present the idea. If it’s a go, just follow the steps in the outline. You’ll have lots of help. Don’t worry, it’s not hard!
With whom should I talk if I feel that community expectations are not being followed regarding my child and other children?Show/Hide Answer
- The Bush School has a written policy on community expectations and consequences. You can get a copy of this document from your division director. If you feel that your child is being treated unfairly or unkindly by other children (such as bullying), we recommend that you talk to your teacher or child’s advisor first. If you are not satisfied, talk to your division director and the school counselor. If you still feel that there is no resolution then we recommend that you make an appointment to meet with the head of school.
How do we, as a parent association, say “thank you” to our faculty and staff?Show/Hide Answer
- The Parent Association sponsors the Faculty/Staff Appreciation Committee. The committee promotes appreciation and support for the faculty and staff by coordinating several school-wide lunches, coordinating treats for the teachers throughout the year and recycling unused tickets for events (theater, sports, music events, etc.) donated by parents.
- In the Lower School, Room Representatives coordinate the end of year gift for each teacher.
How do I get something on the school calendar?Show/Hide Answer
Terry Walburn is the manager of the calendar. The Board of Trustees has a Calendar Committee which meets throughout the year to coordinate the calendar. Once you have approval from either the Parent Association or the division director, you can ask Terry to check her master calendar for availability. You may also need to complete a form with the Facilities Office to reserve a space on school grounds.