Parents Association
Parents are vital to the Acorn School community. Your participation and generosity make an important difference not only to your child’s experience, but also to future generations of Acorn students.
Acorn considers every school parent to be a member of the Parent Association and our goal is for 100% of families to participate in Parent Association fundraising and activities. No financial contribution or amount of time spent volunteering is too small. We only ask that you be involved! Please reach out to pa@acornschoolny.com with any questions.
Get involved by...
serving
as a class parent.
supporting
fundraising efforts.
participating
in community outreach.
CLASS PARENTS
Two class parents represent each classroom and serve to facilitate communication between other parents, teachers, the school director and administrator, and the Parent’s Association. Class parents organize volunteers and supplies for five classroom parties, collect money for teacher gifts, and plan class-specific social events during the school year.
Although much of the work can be done from home via e-mail, there may be in-person commitments throughout the school year. Additionally, class parents are encouraged to take a leadership role and be an active volunteer for community service activities and school-wide fundraising events. The Parent’s Association will hold a welcome meeting in September for all selected class parents.
FUNDRAISING
As is typical for most New York City preschools, tuition does not cover the full cost of educating students. Fundraising allows Acorn to cover extra expenses such as professional development, facilities upgrades, enrichment activities and new technology.
There are many ways to contribute to fundraising efforts at Acorn including: attending events (virtually or in-person), purchasing items from our fall gift wrap fundraiser and holiday book fair, and bidding generously at our Spring Auction.
​
Spring Auction
The Acorn Spring Auction is our largest and most important school fundraiser. Held at the National Arts Club, it is a festive evening of auction items, food, drinks, and fun. Planning for the auction begins in January.
The auction co-chairs recruit category leads to help source and organize auction items. Volunteers are also needed to help write the auction catalog and for various day-of event setup and operational roles.
School Spirit Day
In past years, School Spirit Day celebrates our school through Acorn-inspired outfits and activities. Merchandise sales will help raise money for the school.
Volunteers will conceptualize the event, including: planning activities, procuring refreshments and encouraging attendance. On the day of the event, volunteers will set-up and cleanup, sell merchandise, and lead the children in a few games and activities.
Online Book Fair
For two weeks before the holidays, Acorn hosts an online book fair, featuring a special selection of books curated by Acorn teachers. Thirty percent of the proceeds directly benefit Acorn. The book fair offers an easy way for parents to purchase books for the holiday book swap that is held in each classroom before holiday break.
Volunteers collect book lists from each classroom and upload them to the website. Volunteers also handle marketing and communication to the parent body. All work can be done remotely.
Bake Sale
Children and their teachers bake goodies for sale at select Family Fridays. Volunteers handle set-up and cleanup, coordinate with teachers and class parents, and collect the donations.
Purchasing
Many companies offer the opportunity for a portion of online purchases to benefit our school. Current partnerships include:
Amazon Smile: Using www.smile.amazon.com (instead of www.amazon.com) is an easy way to help generate money for our school! Just add the Acorn School as the registered charity and Acorn will receive money every time you shop - it adds up quickly!
Plum Print: Plum Print is an online service that creates beautiful, high-quality keepsake books out of your children's artwork. For every art book purchased through the Plum Print/Acorn School link (www.plumprint.com/acorn), the school receives 10% of the sales.
​
Mabel’s Labels: Mabel's Labels are personalized peel and stick labels that safely go in the laundry, dishwasher and microwave. They're a reliable product that parents love and are perfect for all your kids' stuff - from shoes and clothes to water bottles, lunch boxes, backpacks, school supplies and more! Go to: campaigns.mabelslabels.com, type in "Acorn School (NY)" when prompted and shop away!
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Acorn’s Community Outreach initiative offers parents one-time and recurring opportunities to engage in community service projects. Participation provides a rewarding way to give back and to get to know other Acorn parents. Many families view engagement in Community Outreach activities as a chance to teach children about the needs of their broader community and the value of service to others.
Halloween Candy Donation Drive
Following Halloween, Acorn collects donated Halloween candy and ships it to Operation Gratitude to be included in care packages for overseas troops and first-responders. Acorn partners with Royal Orthodontics on this project. Volunteers are needed to collect and box the candy as well as transport it to Royal Orthodontics for shipping.
Book Drive for Reach Out and Read
Do you want to make room on your bookshelves for all the new books you received over the holidays? Acorn collects gently-used children’s books for donation to Reach Out and Read at Bellevue Hospital. Reach Out and Read promotes school readiness and early literacy by providing a book to every child visiting the pediatrician. Volunteers are needed to sort books and transport them to Bellevue Hospital.
Volunteer Night with Room to Grow
Acorn parents spend the evening at Room to Grow inspecting and sorting baby clothes, shoes, and books. Room to Grow is known for offering donated goods in excellent condition and volunteers are critical to the organization’s quality control efforts. After the volunteer project, parents gather for dinner at a local restaurant. Volunteers are needed to organize sign-ups, communicate with Room to Grow, and arrange dinner.
Pajama Drive for Room to Grow
Acorn collects donations of new or like-new pajamas for donation to Room to Grow. The drive culminates on Pajama Day when children wear their favorite pajamas to school and enjoy special activities and a snack. Volunteers are needed to sort donations and transport them to Room to Grow.