John Hay Elementary

Volunteer Opportunities at John Hay

Thank you for your interest in volunteering at John Hay! Below you'll find a detailed listing of the many jobs and committees available to John Hay volunteers. To learn more about a particular committee, simply contact Lynn Baker and Susan Sweeney in the Volunteer Office.

Arts Committee

Music Helpers -- Assist our musicians-in-residence before, during and after special musical events.
Visual Arts Helpers -- Help our two art instructors with material prep, activities set-up, and special events.

Communications & Marketing Committee

Photography Team -- Calling all shutterbugs! Take pictures & build an archive of pre-approved photos. The chair will also make sure all school events have a photographer in attendance.
Publicity Team -- Promote John Hay activities and accomplishments through press releases and articles for the Queen Anne News, School Beat (e-newsletter from SPS) and John Hay website.
Website Team -- Join in the fun as we revamp our site this year! We need volunteers to monitor content and gather great new material.

Fundraising Events

Fall Move-A-Thon -- This big fundraiser is an all-day celebration! Students collect pledges, run/walk laps around the school on Move-A-Thon Day, and proudly turn in the funds they've earned. We need volunteers to help with marketing, event planning, volunteer coordination, and working with kids on Move-A-Thon day. We've broken the jobs into manageable chunks – just pick one that works for you and come join in the fun! It's easy to sign up -- here is our FORM.
Fall Book Fair -- This weeklong October fundraiser is co-hosted by the John Hay Library and Secret Garden Bookstore. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Library fund (over $1,500 in 2008!). We need volunteers to help set up the library and serve as cashiers throughout the week. No experience necessary!
Spring Auction -- Our biggest fundraiser of the year is also a fabulously fun and inspiring event for Hay parents, staff, relatives and friends! This big production offers lots of one-time volunteer jobs in the areas of marketing, procurement, event planning, volunteer coordination and more. Don't worry, we've broken the jobs into manageable chunks -- just pick one that works for you and come join in the fun! For a list of Auction Jobs, please click HERE.

Ongoing Fundraising Programs

Grant Task Force -- Help research and apply for grants to help support the programs at John Hay!
Spirit Wear -- Help build school spirit while generating funds for John Hay programs! A portion of the sales of Spirit Wear (clothing adorned with the John Hay logo) goes to the John Hay Foundation.
Box Tops for Education -- Help manage and publicize this program to bring in more incremental cash!
Recycle Cell Phones & Ink Cartridges -- Help manage and publicize this program to bring in more cash.

Goal Teams/Optimum Learning Committee

This is THE place to be if you want to be part of the team helping to ensure excellence in John Hay's curriculum and programs! Meet monthly with staff and administration to monitor and enhance our school's "business plan" for meeting district and state goals. Choose one or more of the following "Goal Teams" to join:

Advanced Learning Opportunity (Pathways)
Citizenship
Equity
Literacy
Math & Science

Special Event Committees

Class Potlucks -- 5th Graders and their families provide a fun and affordable evening of childcare in the John Hay gym/cafeteria while parents get to know one another at their class potlucks at a family's home. Sept/Oct.
Festival of the Arts -- Volunteers will be needed to help organize the 2010 Spring Arts Festival (the Science Fair and Festival of the Arts take place in alternate years).
Field Day -- Work with Mr. Sturm to coordinate volunteers and publicize this end-of-year, half-day, spectacularly fun event!
Fiesta Fantastica -- Volunteers needed to help the Spanish Committee turn our cafeteria into a Spanish plaza for an evening in late March!
Food Drive -- Each fall, Hay 5th graders put their public stewardship lessons into action by sponsoring a food drive to benefit Northwest Harvest.
Math-tastic Family Game Night -- Work with a local math and game store to host our annual February Family Game Night! Lots of fun for the whole family.
Penny Harvest -- Each fall, this nationwide program engages children in civic education and service learning. Students collect spare change then research and allocate funds to local charitable organizations. At Hay, we coordinate through the Citizenship Committee and the John Hay Student Council.
Photo Day -- Coordinate with our photo vendor to produce those classic school pictures! Multiple volunteers needed to coordinate with the vendor, gather volunteers for the day of, bring kids from classrooms to photographer and staff the registration table. All volunteers get a FREE photo package!
Science Fair -- Volunteers will be needed for the John Hay Science Fair, to be held in Spring 2011. Check back next year for details.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

Classroom Volunteer -- There are so many ways to help your child's class, both in the classroom and at home! Your child's teacher will let you know what jobs are available.
Garden Maintenance -- Help the school grounds look neat and stay healthy by weeding on your own schedule, and helping to rally a crew for several all-school weeding and planting parties.
Health & Safety -- Interested in earthquake preparedness? Crossing guard safety? Nutrition and food allergy issues? This committee is for you!
Kindergarten & 1st Grade Transition Team -- Help the K and 1st grade teachers provide a smooth start to school for our youngest students! Volunteers are needed to help with before-school mailings and material, and to serve as in-class helpers during the first two weeks of school.
Lost & Found -- Spend some time once a week to organize found items, send out reminders, and deliver leftovers to local charities.
Lunchroom Helpers -- Our lunchroom absolutely NEEDS one volunteer each day behind the lunch counter to ensure that kids get served in a calm and timely manner. You can help by signing up for one 45-minute slot once a week, twice a month, or once a month. It's quick, fun and truly serves a vital need!
Playground Brigade -- Help keep our kids safe and happy on the playground! We need volunteers to referee activities and oversee entrances and exits during school recesses. Our goal is to supplement staff supervision with three additional adults. Even 15 minutes of your time can help. Come join in the fun!
School Directory -- Help enter family contact information and create and distribute a school-wide contact directory.
Spanish Committee -- Assist our Spanish teacher with curriculum needs, craft activities and special events including the Fiesta Fantastica (held every March). The Spanish Committee meets on a monthly basis or more frequently as projects demand. Don't speak Spanish? No problem!
Staff Appreciation -- Provide food, cards and coffee delivery to staff during Teacher Appreciation Week (5/4/09) and Administrative Professionals Day.
Student Banking -- We need volunteers to help with the Washington Mutual banking program that brings banking to kids at school. Fun!
Yearbook -- Work with Magic School Photography to select and upload photos to create this much-loved end-of-school classic! Vendor does the layout; no experience required. Spring timeframe.