VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
All volunteers who will be working in proximity to students need to go through the SPS Volunteer Approval Process. This can take up to 2 weeks, so please plan accordingly. Start the process by clicking the button below!
In order to remain a vital and effective part of the Hawthorne community, Friends of Hawthorne depends on the willingness and ability of our community to volunteer. We believe that everyone has something to share and even an hour of support can make a huge impact on our students and their experience. If you have a special talent, let us know!
There are so many ways you can volunteer to support the students, teachers and staff at Hawthorne! Let us know how you'd like to help by emailing info@friendsofhawthorne.org, or checking the box(es) that match your interest(s) when you join Friends of Hawthorne.
All-School Events
April 22th from 9am - 2pm, Move-A-Thon Kickoff Event: we will need volunteers to man bingo spot stations and help handout packets to students. Signup to come!
April 29th from 5:30 - 8:00pm, Little Mermaid Concert: Mrs. K needs volunteers to set-up audience chairs and mark aisles, wrangle kiddos pre-performance and handout programs. Click here to sign up!
FUNDRAISING
The Big Ask/In person event fundraiser team - be a part of the committee that creates and executes Hawthorne’s argest fundraiser of the year - all skills are welcome (various roles, approx. 8 - 20 hours per event)
South East Seattle Schools Fundraising Alliance (SESSFA) Moveathon team - Partner with other Seattle South end schools in the School Board District 7 to support the biggest (and growing!) joint fundraising effort in the city. (various roles, range from approx. 4 hours to 8 hours per month)
Monthly Giving/Phoenix Fund - Help us create a monthly giving program to supplement our other two main fundraisers: the Walkathon and Auction. (approx. 5 hours per month)
Everyday Fundraising - Coordinate our PCC scrip card program, Box Tops for Education and other everyday ways to raise money for Hawthorne while you shop. (any amount of time!)
Grant writing - join the Hawthorne grant writing team to support alternative funding sources. (2-3 hours per month)
BEHIND THE SCENES
Grade Band Reps - Develop a relationship with the teachers in your child’s grades to identify the best ways you and other parents can support them at a Grade level. Coordinate communications with other families in your child’s grade (usually via email or text). Spread the word about field trip help, snack donations, school events, teacher gifts, birthday parties, etc. (approx. 2-5 hours per month)
Communications team - Help write and produce the monthly e-newsletter; publicize important news and announcements on the email listserv and Facebook page; serve as an FOH photographer at school events; coordinate with other committees to update school bulletin boards with timely content. (various roles, range from 2 hours per month to 6-8 hours per month)
Teacher Appreciation committee - Organize and recruit volunteers to spoil our beloved teachers and staff; previous plans included a catered luncheon, coffee cart, root beer floats, a day of sweets and snacks. (approx. 1-2 hours per month)
After-school enrichment committee (ASE) - Help bring fun, enriching classes to Hawthorne as part of after-school enrichment. We need volunteers to hep contact vendors, assist with online registration, and to sign students in and out of classes at Hawthorne for 1.5 hours after school Mondays and Wednesdays. See specific needs below for 2023/2024 school year:
Class Development: 1-2 people, 4-8 hours/month year round. Work with the team to conceive and develop class offerings for each session. This includes connecting with class vendors, Hawthorne teachers, and parent instructors to set up classes.
Communications: 2 people, 4-6 hours per month/around registration, 1-2 hours/month subsequently. Work with team to communicate with families on all aspects of ASE (website, session catalog, email, text blasts, surveys, fundraising, and event outreach).
Registration: 1 person, 5 hours lottery, 30 min/day for 3 weeks around registration. Work with registration team to manage the registration process (lottery, waitlist management, assisting families with registration and questions).
Scholarships: 1 person, 2-3 hours/week for 3 weeks around registration. Work with school, registration team, and families to enroll scholarship students and manage scholarship funds.
Family Support - Lend a hand and support our families by handing out Friday Food Bags to students, sorting clothing, organizing the Lost and Found. (approx. 2-5 hours per month)
PTA Nominations - Join the nominating committee in early Spring to work with current FOH leaders to advertise and recruit our next group of fearless FOH PTA leaders. (Winter/Spring only, approx. 15 hours total)
Other important opportunities: Legislative Advocacy, Inclusion Committee, Volunteer Coordination, Board Membership
DAYTIME SCHOOL EVENTS
Field Trips - Chaperone field trips to museums, parks and other out-of-class learning adventures.
Black History Month Assembly - Welcome families by being a greeter, hosting a PTA table, serving food, or promote the event by making posters. (approx. 2-4 hours in one month)
Field Day - Chaperone students as they walk from school to the park or run a game station (sack race, basketball, face painting, etc.) (approx. 3 hours)
EVENING EVENTS AT SCHOOL
Assist school staff in setting up, serving food, and other tasks at FOH-sponsored events such as Dia De Los Muertos; Literacy, Health, and Fitness Night; Multicultural Night (approx. 5 hours)
End-of-Year Dance - Help us celebrate the end of the year by offering to set-up tables, run the popcorn machine, scoop ice cream, or be part of the clean up crew. (approx. 8 hours for planning, 3 hours day-of)
Back to School BBQ - be part of this committee to plan, shop, grill, serve, or clean up, welcoming all families back to school in September of every year. (various roles, 2 - 10 hours total, September)
IN CLASS & AT SCHOOL - Click here to become an SPS-approved volunteer! This approval process must be renewed every 2 years. It can take more than a week for the full process, so please plan ahead for any volunteering in the school or on field trips.
Reading Support - Help students improve their reading skills and confidence. (any amount of time!)
Library - Support our Librarian with categorizing and organizing books. (any amount of time!)
Art Room - Assist our Art Teacher and keep the creativity flowing by refilling supplies, and helping students with unfamiliar concepts or materials. (any amount of time!)