Parents' Association
A Message from La’Shone Fullerton, President, Parents' Association
Parents’ Association Annual Report
School Year 2017-18
The Wooster School Parents’ Association provides strong support to Wooster by encouraging parental involvement through interactive relationships among parents, faculty and staff, fundraising to enhance the educational experience of students, and to promote community and common interests among families of the school. The 2017-18 school year of the Parents' Association brought Wooster an amazing year full of activities that helped to elevate the rich learning environment for our children. Whether you attended a PA morning meeting, generously contributed to one or more of our fundraisers, or participated as a committee leader, member or volunteer, your contribution has been crucial to the financial and academic success of the Wooster School.
This year, the PA eagerly placed the "Fully Charged" initiative implemented by Matt Byrnes, our Head of School, into action enlisting parent volunteers at the beginning of the school year. Participation came with great enthusiasm and supported opportunities such as photo day, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Homecoming, and the Fall Arts Festival. Parents also assisted the school administration by volunteering for the College Guidance and Student Advancement office, the Development office, the Senior Class Gift, and the newly formed Senior Parent Support Committee, Center for Social Impact, Parent Ambassadors for Admissions, Chapel committee, the Athletic Booster Club, and ringing in the holiday season with Gaynor O'Neill's Annual Holiday Bazaar.
Fundraising efforts experienced a strong show of support and continued success this year with the annual fundraisers such as Grandma Miller's Pies, Square One, Box Tops for Education, Amazon Smile, and Stop and Shop. A new fundraiser implemented this year included Maple Craft Syrup, a healthier sweetener option. It was very well received by families of Wooster, as well as extended families and friends outside the school.
The Annual Gala achieved record success this year, as it brought parents to the school's campus for a 3rd year to enjoy a fun-filled evening of dinner, dancing, fundraising, and a warm sincere retirement send-off to middle and upper school administrator, Gaynor O'Neill, who served Wooster for 36 years. It goes without saying that this wonderful event was definitely "all about the children," a statement forever echoed by Gaynor, as parents and faculty raised a paddle, participated in the Silent Auction, and SOLD OUT the Wine Pull demonstrating their full support of Wooster. It was a successful evening enjoyed by everyone!
The result of the PA's fundraising efforts helped to showcase projects such as the Tiny House video assembly, Screenagers, the Scholastic Book Fair, and entertainment of the Ugandan Dance Performers. It also supported a gift to each graduating senior, Teacher Appreciation Week gift cards, and support for the middle school moving up ceremony as well as flowers for graduation. Proceeds from the Gala supported converting spaces in the Verdery library to the Verdery Learning Commons with flexible learning spaces, redesigning the dining room annex into a Student Cafe, lighting the stairs to Forever Young Gym and Art Center, and extending the white fencing and lighting in front of the Verdery Learning Commons. These enhancements are not only enjoyed by the students this year, but also provide more versatile and safe learning environment.
In quoting the African proverb, "it takes a village," Wooster has fostered the meaning that it "takes an entire community of different people..in order for a child to experience and grow in a safe environment." Thank you to the PA Executive Board and Grade Representatives, Gala Committee, faculty, staff, and all the dedicated parent volunteers working behind the scenes building community spirit. Whether you attended a PA morning meeting, generously contributed to one or more of our fundraisers, or participated as a committee leader or volunteer, you are the reason why Wooster experienced another amazing year of reaching higher heights for our children. Your commitment is not only crucial to the PA, but also to the financial and academic success of the Wooster School.
Respectfully submitted,
La’Shone Fullerton