Princeton Junior School Parent Association
The Princeton Junior School Parent Association (PJSPA) is a group of parent volunteers dedicated to the furtherance of the mission of the school by providing activities, assemblies and community service opportunities for the students. The goal of the parent association is to enhance the students' educational experience at the Princeton Junior School as well as to evaluate the needs of the school in conjunction with administration and provide the monies necessary to meet those needs. We also provide funding for scholarships.
PJSPA accomplishes these goals through various fundraising events throughout the year. Listed below are the committees of the PJSPA. You can become involved in the Parent Association by contacting the chairs of the committees. The contact information is located in your PJS Directory.
In addition the parent association serves as a liaison between the parents, students, faculty, administration, and trustees to facilitate communication and cooperation.
How To Be Involved
The Committees
Community Service Committee
Consistent with the mission of the School, PJS is involved in a number of community service activities. The goal is to help students understand that they are part of not only the school community, but also the local, national and international communities. Chair: Katie Juan
Some of the activities consistent with this philosophy include:
Thanksgiving Basket Drive
The Giving Tree
Martin Luther King Jr. community service day
Halloween Unicef collection
Special Events Committee
This committee oversees a number of special activities and events held throughout the year. These are listed below. Chair: Marlynne Marlow
Assemblies: The school welcomes parents’ input regarding upcoming assemblies, helping the administration select programs for our children. Some are instructive while others are entertaining. There are performances by students, local theater troupes and performers, such as the McCarter Theater Education Program and Young Audiences. There are several Thematic Assemblies throughout the year such as The Martin Luther King Assembly and the Multi-Cultural Assembly. Parents are welcome to attend all assemblies and performances. Chair: Marlynne Marlow
All-School Picnic: This event provides an opportunity for everyone to come together after Summer vacation to reconnect with friends and introduce new families to the School community. Chair: Marlynne Marlow
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch: This luncheon is held close to year-end and provides parents with an opportunity to exhibit their gratitude toward their children’s teachers, through either helping to cook or serve the meal, or watching the classrooms while the teachers eat, or cleaning up afterward. Chair: to be determined.
PJS Field Day Picnic: Field Day picnic held in May is a popular event for the entire family. Field Day gives students an opportunity to participate in a variety of traditional games and sports activities, cookout and general fun for everyone. Chair: Tracey Mondul
Multicultural Day: Held on alternating years, the PJSPA sponsors a celebration of the various cultures in our school community. Chair to be determined
Faculty Lunches: One Friday a month a classroom sponsors a lunch for faculty and staff. The Class Parent for the grade arranges the side dishes and desserts and the parent association provides funding for the main dishes. This is another way we say thank you to the wonderful people who teach and work with our children.
Common Ground
Common Ground is a collaborative effort of the Parent Associations of the Princeton Area Independent Schools, which brings exceptional programs, lectures and speakers to the Princeton community. Parents are encouraged to attend these interesting and informative lectures. Chairs: Ilana Gutierrez and Rob Robertson
This committee holds many events throughout the school year to raise funds for the needs of the school. Chair : to be determined
Movie Nights: Is a fun evening for the children to come to the school on a Friday evening to watch a movie and munch on popcorn and enjoy drinks while parents have some time for themselves. Chair: to be determined
Wrapping paper sale: The year starts out with this sale to stock up with holiday wrapping paper and goodies. Chair: Tracey Mondul
Pizza Thursdays: a delicious tradition at PJS is offered every Thursday before a Focus Friday. Parents can pre-order pizza slices to be delivered to students as an enjoyable substitute for their daily sandwiches. We need parents to help set-up and distribute the Pizza. This requires a little over an hour, and you can volunteer for any or all Pizza Thursdays. Chair: Kim Duthie
Bake Sales: During special events the parent association holds bake sales for the children and parents to enjoy some wonderful baked goods. Chair:
Tag Sale: Everyone brings in their barely used items from home, including furniture, decor, clothing, books, jewelry, art, and other items. The community is invited to peruse the valuables and enjoy refreshments during this fund raising activity. Chair: to be determined
Hot dog days: Parents purchase hot dogs for their children to enjoy on these special days. Chair: Kim Duthie
Gala Auction: This is our primary fundraising effort each year. Held mid-year, it includes both a live and silent auction. Donations are sought from both the PJS community and from donors in the greater Princeton area. Entertainment and fine catered delicacies are part of this fun and elegant evening. This year's theme is "Feeling Groovy" in celebration of the 60's and 70's era. Chairs: Cynthia Wallace and Marlynne Marlow
PJSPA Structure
The Executive Committee is comprised of PJSPA's elected officers and the School's Head of School. The Executive Committee appoints,aids and oversees the subcommittee, which in turn organize,cooridinate and execute community and fundraising events. The Executive Committee is responsible for running the PJSPA general meetings, keeping a budget, approving budget expenditures, keeping a calender of events and acting as the primary liaison to the sub-committee chairs and class parents/parent mentors. Every member of the PJS community should feel free to contact anyone on theExecutive Committee for any PJSPA related concerns.
The President plays a key role on the School’s management team by serving as the liaison between parents, faculty, administration and the Board of Trustees. The President, along with the Head of School and the Vice President(s), define the fundraising venues, and elect the Special Events/Ad Hoc Committee chairpersons.
The Treasurer is responsible for the management of PJSPA finances, which include the PJSPA dues plus all other receipts from fundraising activities as well as monitoring expenditures. The Treasurer works closely with the other Executive Committee members and the School’s Financial Manager to devise a budget before the beginning of the school year and to present an annual report at the end of the fiscal year.
The Chair of Communications is responsible for taking and posting the minutes at PJSPA meetings, for general correspondence and mailings, as well as maintaining and distributing the PJSPA calendar of events.
The Chair of Class Parents serves as the liaison between the PJSPA and Class Parents (Parent Mentors), providing guidance throughout the year. The Vice President-Communications is responsible for taking and posting the minutes of all meetings and also for general correspondence and mailings, as well as maintaining and distributing the PJSPA Calendar.
The Chair of Special Events serves as the coordinator of the various events the PJSPA sponsors during the year, providing ideas and guidance as needed to the chairs of those events.
The Chair of Fundraising leads the effort to raise the money needed to support PJSPA goals for the current school year’s projects.
The Chair of Community Service serves as the liaison between the school and the volunteer parents to coordinate each community service event throughout the year.
The Class Parents work very closely with the Executive Committee and serve as the primary liaison between the PJSPA, the parents and the teachers. Active throughout the year, Class Parents are responsible for encouraging parent and student participation in all PJSPA/PJS-sponsored events and activities. They serve as a primary liaison between new families and the PJSPA, informing them of PJS traditions, events and assemblies.
The Members of PJSPA are comprised of the PJS parents who are the heart and soul of the Parent Association. Their efforts and volunteer spirit are greatly appreciated. It is the individual parent’s responsibility to come to the meetings or to reach out to the Executive Committee and Committee Chairs; put suggestions in the box; read the weekly calendar and PJS Voices if the parent wishes to stay informed and become more involved.
2012-2013 PJSPA OFFICERS
President: Lori Washton
Treasurer: Marlynne Marlow
Communications Chair: Leigh Engelhardt
Community Service: Katie Juan
Chair of Class Parents: Katie Juan
Other Volunteer Opportunities at PJS
There are committees that are run by the staff and faculty of the Princeton Junior School and there are further opportunities for parents to volunteer their time and skill. These committees include:
Development: Volunteers are needed to help collate stuff and stamp various mailings during the year. We’ll provide the coffee and bagels – you receive a morning of camaraderie with other parents, while helping the school reach out to its Community. Chair: to be determined
Marketing Committee: Composed of current parents, trustees, and school administration, this committee collaborates on strategic planning and marketing for PJS. Chair: to be determined
PJS Voice: Publication produced by the PJS Communication Office. It will include summaries and updates of PJSPA activities, all School events, and classroom activities. Parents are welcome to submit stories, photos, and ideas. Chair: to be determined.
The Nautilus: Bi-annual publication, supported in part by the PJSPA, for parent, alumni and friends of the School that features an overview of School and alumni activities. Writers and photographers are needed for both. Chair: to be determined
The Thanksgiving Ceremony brings all families together to give thanks. This informal gathering is held before Thanksgiving Recess. Traditionally, each class bakes bread and contributes an ingredient for the making of a delicious and communal soup that is made and served by our "Soup Dads."
All School Picnic
