Volunteer Interest Survey - 2026-2027

Volunteering at Parkside Montessori is an integral part of our community, it's a fantastic way to connect with other families and support our students!

Because our school depends on active family participation, each household is required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer work each school year.

Please review the brief descriptions of each volunteer opportunity below and indicate your areas of interest. This form is non-binding; we will reach out as specific needs arise. If you have any questions, please contact historian@parksidepta.com.

Note on PTA Roles: To hold a committee position, chair a program, or serve on the Executive Board, CAPTA rules require that you be a current Parkside Montessori PTA member.

Thank you for your dedication to supporting Parkside Montessori!

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You should have access to this email account and be able to receive emails related to this volunteering opportunity.


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General Campus & School-Wide Support
School Site Council (SSC) Parent Volunteers
Serve as a parent representative on the school’s planning team (School Site Council). Meetings are held once a month for 90 minutes, working directly with the principal and staff.
SMFC School Board Representative
Attend the San Mateo-Foster City (SMFC) Regular School Board meetings to represent Parkside Montessori, stay informed on district policy/decisions, and report key updates back to our PTA and school community. Time Commitment: 4th Thursday of every month
Education Foundation Liaison
Volunteer as the Parkside Liaison with San Mateo-Foster City Education Foundation
Red Safety Backpack Inventory & Maintenance
Join a dedicated team to inspect, restock, and maintain the emergency safety backpacks in every classroom across campus. Most of the work takes place during the first two weeks of school. (Note: Must be completed on campus during school hours; not a take-home task.)
Campus Handyperson
Assist with general handyman projects on campus as needed. Ideal for anyone comfortable following manual assembly instructions or skilled in building and assembling items like benches, tables, and planters.
Campus Materials Sorting Helper
Assist teachers and staff on campus with sorting, organizing, and inventorying classroom supplies, educational materials, and shared resource spaces during flexible daytime hours.
Lost and Found Coordinator
Maintain the Lost and Found cart, coordinate hanging Lost and Found items before school breaks, and take remaining unclaimed items to a donation site.
PTA Committees & Governance
PTA Secretary (PTA Executive Board)
Take and maintain accurate minutes during monthly meetings and keep permanent records of PTA documents. This is a very straightforward, low-lift role with virtually no outside prep work, your main commitment is simply being present at the monthly Executive Board and Association meetings to record key decisions. It's an ideal entry-level position for anyone looking to get involved and join the board.
VP of Community Development (PTA Executive Board)
Oversee Parkside's community events and partner directly with event committees. Responsibilities include guiding event planning, ensuring clear communication, and keeping events on track and within budget.
Monthly Financial Review Assistant
Looking for one volunteer (who will not be a check-signer on the PTA account) with basic bookkeeping or accounting interest to conduct a monthly non-signer review of PTA bank statements and financial records alongside the Treasurer. This quick monthly task provides vital financial oversight and ensures compliance with CAPTA rules. (*Must be a PTA Member)
Budget Committee Volunteer (Starts in February)
Work with the PTA Treasurer and executive board starting in February to review school funding needs, evaluate program expenses, and help draft the PTA budget for the upcoming school year. *Must be PTA Member
Calendar Committee Volunteer (Starts in February)
Join the committee starting in February to coordinate and plan the PTA master event calendar for the upcoming school year, ensuring balanced event scheduling and avoiding school/district conflicts. *Must be PTA Member
PTA Nominating Committee Member (Starts in February)
Help recruit and select next year's PTA Executive Board leaders! The committee meets 2–3 times between February and March to build the candidate slate. (Note: Expressing interest here registers your candidacy. Committee members are formally elected by the PTA Association at a general meeting per bylaws. Must be a PTA member. The current PTA President and prior-year committee members are ineligible per CAPTA rules.
School Wide Event Planning & Coordination
Fall Fundraiser: Walk-A-Jog event Volunteer (Event in October)
Join the team behind our beloved annual fall fundraiser! We need volunteers across a variety of committee and day-of roles:
Planning & Outreach: Sponsorships, fundraising, raffle basket coordination, and logistics/AV setup.
Event-Day Support: Registration, raffle ticket sales, water stations, food/treat distribution, calming corner, event photography, setup, and clean-up.
International Event Volunteer (Event in November)
Help bring our vibrant fall multicultural celebration to life: (Event Date: Friday, November 6th)
INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK: Bring a store-bought or pre-packaged cultural dish or a family favorite.
COUNTRY TABLES: Host or support a country booth, which you’ll set up with cultural decorations, educational information, and a craft activity.
CULTURAL FASHION SHOW: Participate in the fashion show in cultural attire.
Spring Auction Volunteer (Event in March)
Organize Auction for Spring Fling Event, including solicitation of items for the Auction and coordinating the online auction platform
Planning & Prep: Secure item donations, organize auction packages, and help prepare décor.
Event-Day Support: Venue setup and decorating, guest check-in, and post-event cleanup.
Peace, Earth, Parkside Volunteer (Event in April)
Join the team bringing our outdoor Earth Day celebration to life:
Pre-Event Prep: Help prepare materials and supplies for science and art activity booths.
Event-Day Activity Tables: Staff activity stations during the event (e.g., clay table, nature-inspired art, LEGO science stations).
Event Breakdown & Cleanup: Assist with event teardown and campus cleanup
AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Volunteer (Event in May)
Join the team celebrating AAPI cultures across our Parkside community:
Cultural & Activity Booths: Host or support a booth representing an AAPI country or culture with informational displays, traditions, or hands-on craft activities.
Performers & Fashion Show: Participate in the cultural fashion show.
Event Logistics: Assist with logistics, setup, and post-event cleanup.
Class & Cohort Specific Volunteering
Room Representative Coordinator
Room representative liaison across all classes to ensure consistency, coordination, and communication.
Cohort Lead (Grade-Level Community Coordinator)
Help build community and organize grade-specific events in collaboration with classroom Room Representatives. (Note: Must have a student enrolled in the selected cohort).
Primary Cohort Lead (TK – Kindergarten)
Lower Elementary Cohort Lead (Grades 1 – 3)
Upper Elementary Cohort Lead (Grades 4 – 6)
Adolescent Cohort Lead (Grades 7 – 8)
Courtyard Volunteer
Volunteer to supervise one of the courtyards during the morning or afternoon work periods (9-11a) or (1-2:50p)
Tigers Play Jr. Lead & Volunteers (TK & Kinder Families Only)
Help facilitate fun recess activities for our youngest students! Lead or supervise blue block building, art projects, or games.
Tigers Play Recess Volunteer / Lead (Grades 1–6 Families Only)
Support structured games and creative play during lunch recess on Mondays and Fridays from 11:10 AM – 12:45 PM (drop-in, year-round).
Class Assistant Volunteers
Volunteer for 3 or more hours a week in one class as an assistant to the Montessori teacher; attend online training on own time (fee will be paid by the school); will be coordinated by Montessori Coach and Principal
Community & Student Program Support
Hospitality Team
Coordinate food, setup, and logistics for morning coffee chats, parent social gatherings, evening PTA meetings/events, and parent education nights (reimbursement available).
Green T-Shirt Event Sales Volunteer
Sell Green T-shirts during events (such as the Welcome Back Picnic, Walk-A-Jog, etc.) or on select morning/afternoon dates.
Staff Appreciation
Coordinate Staff Appreciation luncheons and activities throughout the year and coordinate Staff Appreciation week in May for all Staff
Parents Night Out Coordinator
Help plan Parent’s Night Out events throughout the year
Afterschool Lego Program Volunteers
Support our students' creativity and engineering skills by helping with our afterschool Lego program. Opportunities include:
Program Co-Leads: Help plan, coordinate, and oversee the afterschool sessions.
Session Helpers: Attend sessions to help supervise students, encourage their building projects, and assist with Lego sorting and cleanup.
Afterschool 3D Printing Program Volunteers
Need a lead & volunteers to take over a 3d Printing program to utilize the 3D printer we currently have. Coordinate with Principal and PTA.
Program Co-Leads: Help plan, coordinate, and oversee the afterschool sessions.
Session Helpers: Attend sessions to help supervise students, encourage their projects, and assist with sorting and cleanup.
Photographer / Videographer
Capture photos at school events and create/edit short videos (e.g., event recaps, student presentations, or virtual showcases) using simple compilation tools (e.g., iMovie) for our website and communication channels.
District & School Opportunities (Non-PTA)
Lunchtime Supervisor (Paid District Position)
Help supervise students during lunch and recess on campus (~11:20 AM – 12:20 PM; M, T, Th, F). More info: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1905175
Crossing Guard (Paid District Position)
Help keep students safe during morning drop-off and afternoon pick-up by directing pedestrian and vehicle traffic on Norfolk St & Halsey Ave. More info: https://www.edjoin.org/Home/JobPosting/1560083
Other Skills/Interests/Hobbies
Share your Hobby
Share your skills/hobbies in any area such as: cooking, craft, art, science, yoga, life skills, gardening, woodworking, drama, etc., that could support our PTA, our staff and/or our students
Other skills/interests
Any other skills/interests you have and would like to share as a volunteer with our community?
Do you speak, read and write a language other than English?
If you speak, read and write a language FLUENTLY other than English, would you be willing to use this skill to help with minor translations of parent info and/or to help out another family in our community? If yes, please provide the language in the field below. Thank you for considering!
Additional Comments, Questions, or Notes