From educational enrichment and teacher/school support to communications, community engagement and fundraising to finance these initiatives, everything we do relies on committees to organize and volunteers to help out. Whatever your availability and interest, there is a place in the PTO for you and we encourage you to participate! The PTO could not do all of the amazing things it does without the dedicated group of volunteers who are so generous with their time and efforts. Involvement with the PTO committees is a wonderful way to get to know the school, staff, students and other parents.
Our committee chairs work in collaboration with the principal and our teachers to identify needs and priorities, and they rely on your help! There are many different ways to get involved. To sign up to volunteer for please click here!
Don’t have much time? Can’t make it into Angier?
Don’t worry! If you’d like to help but can’t make it into the school, or only have a couple of hours spare at unpredictable moments, please email us – there are lots of things you can still help with!
Our Committees
The Angier PTO runs on volunteer energy and heart. Whether you’re planning a party, managing finances, or leading enrichment programs, there’s a place for you. Below is a look at our current committee structure.
ATHLETICS
| Color Day: This parent committee coordinates Angier’s annual spring Color Day event with Angier’s physical education teacher. During this field day, full of spirit and friendly competition, parent volunteers run dozens of non-competitive relay races and activities while each classroom rotates around the field taking turns at the different events. |
| Girls on the Run (GOTR): This program inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running. |
| Ice Skating Event: Plan a weekend night skating party complete with cocoa & cookies. |
| Upper or Lower Falls Family Event: Plan a family event on a weekend in Lower or Upper Falls! Anything goes! |
COMMUNICATIONS
| AV Guru: Provide support for PTO AV needs at events at school. |
| Angier Handbook: Volunteers update and produce this useful information resource, which tells you everything you need to know to get the most out of each year at Angier School. The handbook is available as a downloadable pdf on the PTO website (angierpto.org). |
| The greensheet: This is the weekly Angier school e-mail newsletter, sent out on Sunday evenings by the PTO. Edited and produced by volunteers, the greensheet is a vital link between the school and its families. Volunteers also post announcements on the PTO website. |
| PTO Database and Directory: These parent volunteers maintain the PTO database, helping us keep up to date with students, families, faculty, class lists and volunteers, and manage the PTO’s secure online Directory, an invaluable resource for organizing playdates and class or community activities. |
| PTO Website: This parent volunteer updates the PTO website with new pages and links and ensures that the website is functioning properly. |
| Social Media Manager (s): Manages the Angier Facebook page and assists the co-presidents in communication and community-building through social media. |
COMMUNITY
| ACHIEVE Representative: Provide representation from families in the ACHIEVE program, particularly those living outside of Waban, to ensure their priorities are integrated into PTO programming. |
| Angier’s Community Bike and Rodeo Event: Under the guidance of Bike Newton and Safe Rides to School, Angier PTO hosts 3 simultaneous fun biking events for bikers of all skill levels! |
| Angier’s Got Talent!: Help coordinate the talent show of the year! We hold this show every other spring. Our next show will take place in 2027. |
| Black History Month: Plan one educational and/or social event in support of Black History Month. The coordinators may choose to collaborate with FORJ, a larger Newton organization made up of diverse families helping children learn about issues of power and inequality. |
| Boston / MetCo Representative: Provide representation from families in Boston / MetCo to ensure their priorities are integrated into PTO programming. |
| Community Service: This committee organizes activities to benefit organizations and individuals in our greater community who are in need of support or assistance. Past efforts have included collection drives for food items, used clothes, toys, and used books. |
| Families Organizing for Racial Justice (FORJ): This is a group of diverse Newton families helping our children learn about issues of power and inequality and how to stand up for racial justice. We seek to generate understanding and curiosity about differences in our society, and to work together towards racial equity. |
| Fifth Grade Events: This committee organizes special activities and memorabilia for our fifth graders, such as the yearbook, T-shirts, a picnic, and other graduation events. |
| Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC): Liaise with the city-wide SEPAC organization, communicating relevant information back to Angier. |
| World Cultures Event: Plan an event to celebrate the cultures of the world and at Angier, including country displays, a talent / fashion show, and a dinner. (Target a weekday night.) |
CREATIVE ARTS AND SCIENCES
| Creative Arts and Sciences: Part of a city-wide program, this PTO committee brings acclaimed arts and science enrichment programs to Angier to help support our school arts and science curriculum. Parent volunteers generate ideas for programs, preview performances, and organize the events. |
FACULTY APPRECIATION
| Early Release Lunches: Plan and organize lunches for Angier staff on early release days. 9/29, 10/27, 12/3, 2/4, 3/18 & 5/6. |
| Faculty Angier Wear: Work with Dr. H to plan Angier wear for faculty (e.g., welcome back t-shirts, appreciation week surprise). |
| Spring Appreciation Week (May): Plan and execute three days of faculty appreciation activities (e.g., hot cocoa bar, snack break bar) as well as plan and execute a lunch during the Appreciation Week. |
| Winter Appreciation Week (December): Plan and execute three days of faculty appreciation activities (e.g., hot cocoa bar, snack break bar) as well as plan and execute a lunch during the Appreciation Week. |
| Valentine’s Day Dessert (February): Plan and execute a Valentines-themed dessert in February. |
| Welcome Back Meals (August): Plan and execute welcome back 1-2 meals the week before school starts (e.g., bagel & coffee drop, grab & go salads). |
| Year End Lunch (June): Collaborate with the 5th Grade Committee to plan and execute a special lunch in June. |
FUNDRAISING
| An Evening for Angier: Angier’s largest fundraiser, this event is a well-attended adult-only evening. Traditionally, this event is held at the Windsor Club. It entails lively entertainment, food and drinks, an incredible live auction and other fun and exciting ways to donate to Angier. The night is very special, not only because it raises money for Angier, but also because it brings together Angier parents and staff to socialize, build community, and have a good time! This is one of our largest PTO committees and offers many different opportunities for you to get involved to help make our Evening for Angier such a success! |
| Angier Wear: This committee coordinates the selection, design and sale of Angier-themed items, such as t-shirts, pajama pants and hats. |
| Fall Community Dinners: These parent volunteers organize a progressive dinner welcoming all parents and staff. The evening culminates in a location where all participants share dessert together. This is an adults-only event. |
LEARNING
| Book Fair: This is not the book fair of your youth. This team will partner with Wellesley books, to curate a selection relevant to the current year’s curriculum and interests observed by our own librarian Liz Donovan and reading specialist Megan Kamm. You will confirm an author presentation coordinated by Wellesley Books. The PTO will raise money in advance to let every child choose one book to keep from their class visit to the in-school fair, no money exchanged. Lastly, plan a reading party with opportunities for additional book purchases. Oh, and 10% of all proceeds come back to Angier. |
| Coding Event: Plan an engaging and educational STEM event for families. |
| Kids & Technology: If you already notice your child’s burgeoning screen addiction (competing with your own) and you want to help your child have a healthy relationship with technology, or you are resolute in your commitment to “wait til 8th” or if you want to learn more about the impact of screens and media on children’s brains, or if you want to understand more about social media and/or parental controls, this committee is for you. Together you will plan and coordinate expert lectures and community discussions around these important topics. |
| Math League: Plan an educational and fun math event for families – potentially more than one! |
| STEAM Fair – Invention Invasion: The Invention Invasion is a non-competitive celebration and demonstration of students’ creativity and their homemade creations, gadgets, and inventions. Parent volunteers organize an evening of science, creativity, and fun that encourages and inspires children to think like entrepreneurs. |
NEW FAMILIES
| Buddy Families: These volunteers reach out to welcome new families to Angier providing a friendly face and answering questions throughout the year. |
| Kindergarten Registration & Playdates: In the spring, plan support for the kindergarten screening days. Then in the months leading up to school start, plan kindergarten playdates. |
| New Family Welcome Event: Organize a weekend playdate for new families on the playground in September. |
| Student Welcome Gifts: Assemble and distribute “Welcome to Angier” care packages for new families. |
PTO COORDINATION
| PTO Officers and Executive Committee: The officers of the Angier PTO typically include two or three co-presidents who serve for a staggered 2-3 year term, the treasurer, and the recording secretary. In accordance with the by-laws of our PTO, the officers are advised by an executive committee that consists of key representatives from our PTO along with grade-level and faculty representatives. |
SCHOOL SUPPORT
| Angier Beautification: Help keep our grounds beautiful! Includes organizing and completing quarterly Angier grounds clean-ups. |
| Angier Mascot “Bertie”: Attend events as the Angier eagle mascot, “Bertie” (ideal for someone 5’8″ – 6’1″ tall) |
| Art Coordinators: Work with the Angier art teacher to determine any needs for volunteer support and to assist with the annual art show. Please note that some of the volunteer support takes place during the school day. |
| Bulk Supplies: Thess volunteers make back-to-school shopping a breeze for Angier families by purchasing supplies in bulk for each grade, then sorting orders by student and delivering them to the classroom ready for the new school year! Please see the Angier PTO web site for more information about participating in this very special opportunity. |
| Kids Woot Woot Cart: Plan a special one-time non-food Woot Woot Cart for the students. (Note that this is not the teacher woot woot!) |
| Library Volunteer Coordinators: One of the nicest places to spend time is in the library, the heart of Angier. If you are interested in volunteering in the library, please send an email to our library volunteer coordinators. |
| Lost & Found: Scan the playground monthly for lost clothing and other items. Clean the items and return to the school’s lost & found. Create awareness about the need for item retrieval. |
| Room Parents and Room Parent Coordinators: Room Parents help support the teachers in their classroom-based activities/parties and encourage families to participate in school and PTO events. |
| School Pictures: These parent volunteers help out with School Picture Day to make sure things run smoothly and each child looks (and acts) their best. |
| Teacher Admin Support for Kids: These parent volunteers receive periodic administration requests from teachers and staff at Angier and work in the school Copy Rooms to complete those requests. Requests often include photocopying, laminating, paper cutting, and binding. No prior experience necessary. Being a member of the TASK team is a great way to meet teachers and staff members across all grade levels and provide them with administrative help to make their jobs a little bit easier. |
| Turkey Trot: During Angier’s annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot, parent volunteers work in partnership with our physical education teacher and the Community Service Committee to organize a field day full of fun for the kids while encouraging canned food donations to support those in need. During this event, the students run through a relay course in the Angier field, accompanied and encouraged by a volunteer adult dressed as a turkey. The Angier students bring food donations to the Waban Food Pantry. |
| Woot Woot Cart: Ever wonder what is happening at school during the day? Join us in supporting our teachers (and making our students jealous) with fun snacks every other week. Partner with a friend, stock up the cart and walk around the school. |
| City-Wide Liaison and Representative Positions: Volunteers for the Special Education Committee help keep the Angier community informed about pertinent city-wide issues, most often through reports published on the Angier PTO website and in the greensheet. |
SOCIAL
| Back-to-School Pizza Party: These parent volunteers coordinate the Back-to-School pizza party at the beginning of the school year. |
| Boston Event: Plan 1-2 weekend outings for Angier families in the city of Boston, including visiting the Boston Zoo Lights in the fall. |
| Dads’ and Moms’/Caregiver Night Out: These committees organize evenings for the Angier dads/moms to get together and socialize. |
| Dads Lead!: Seeking a team of dads who want to lead a special event for families. Maybe it’s a Waban scavenger hunt, maybe it’s a mini-golf course on the playground, maybe it’s an egg parachute event… It’s your vision, we’ll support! |
| Fun Fridays: This committee organizes 3-4 Friday night activities at Angier. These activities can be movie nights, bingo nights, dance party etc. |
| PJs and Pancakes: Plan and execute the annual November pancake breakfast for families, including recruiting sponsors or donors for food and volunteer cooks. |
More Ideas?
We welcome your ideas and inspiration! If you have any suggestions, you’d like to bring to the PTO executive team, or if you’d like more information about joining a committee, please email us. Are you a new parent who’s seen something work well elsewhere? Please tell us! We love copying good ideas!!
