BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Emerson Board of Directors is made up entirely of parent and community volunteers. The Board is responsible for the promotions, business administration, and fundraising for the school as well as setting school policy. Parents are welcome to chair a committee and be a voting Board member or assist on a committee as a non-voting member. The Board of Directors meets monthly, dates and times are posted at the school and in the Emerson Express. All parents are encouraged to attend Board meetings. If you think you might want to become involved please talk with any Board member, or our Director, or just attend our next meeting.

EMERSON EXPRESS is a monthly newsletter published by the Board as a way of keeping Emerson families up-to-date on Board and school happenings. Click here to read the Emerson Express.

VOLUNTEERING
Emerson School's uniqueness results from relationships between families, teachers, and a parent volunteer Board of Directors. These partnerships have been the essence of Emerson for over 40 years and the key to our continued success. Below is a list of some of the ways you can help through volunteering your time to Emerson.

FUNDRAISING
Emerson School is a non-profit organization supported exclusively by tuition, gifts, and fundraising events. We hope that all families will participate in fundraising events throughout the year. Our mission is to provide fundraising activities that support families and young children in our community. We try to make it fun, too! Emerson's continued success and fiscal stability depends on the contributions of its families and community members who recognize the importance of the early years as learning years for children.

EMERSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND
In 2001-2002 as part of our 35^th anniversary celebration, an endowment fund was established for the school that will eventually provide funds for more tuition scholarships.  When you plan your annual charitable giving, please consider contributing to a future Emerson student's early education and send a tax-deductible gift to Emerson's endowment fund.

CLASS PARENTS
Parents can volunteer to be one of the class parents for their child's class.  The class parents recruit help with weekly jobs (see below), and other tasks as needed. They also help with special events, distribute children's work to mailboxes, and oversee snack responsibilities. The Class Parent Coordinator, a member of the Emerson Board, is responsible for coordination all class parent responsibilities

CLASSROOM PARTICIPATION
Parents are always welcome to assist in classroom activities.  Cooking with children or reading books to small groups are examples of ways to volunteer in the class room. You can inventory library books or sign up for the snowsuit brigade! In the past parents have played guitar, brought in knitting, helped with clay projects, and shared information about their families' cultural background. Volunteering is a great way to share your own talents while you get to know your child's classmates and teachers.  Students are very proud to see their parent participate in their school.

SUBSTITUTE TEACHER
Occasionally a substitute person is needed to fill in for an absent teacher during a class time. Parents with early childhood education experience are encouraged to volunteer as a substitute in the classrooms. Others parents can help, too. A class helper orientation is held in October for parents who want to find out how they can help in the classroom.

WEEKLY JOBS
There is a list of jobs that need to be done every week that help support the teachers and the classrooms. These jobs are posted on the Parent Information Board (PIB) and can be signed up for on a weekly basis. The jobs include: making play dough, filling the birdfeeder (winter only), washing classroom laundry, raking the sandbox, shopping, and recycling. Many of these jobs you can do with your child!

SCHOOL AND GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
Once or twice a year (Fall and/or Spring) the Building and Grounds Chair will organize a weekend playground clean-up day. Available families are asked to volunteer their time to rake leaves and help with any sprucing up the playground may need. Every few years the Building and Grounds Chair will organize a painting party and ask for volunteers to help paint the classrooms. 

OTHER VOLUNTEERS
There are always other jobs that need to be done for the School. If you see a need that you can fill let us know. In the past we have had volunteers run specific fundraisers, sell t-shirts, create seasonal decorations, plant flowers, give tech support, bake cookies for special person night, and help with class celebrations.  Please talk to the Director, the Class Parent Coordinator, your child's teacher, or a board member if you have ideas about volunteering.

THANK YOU!