Parent-Teacher Collaborative
The Parent-Teacher Collaborative is the foundation of our thriving community. It offers a platform for parents to voice their ideas and concerns, and allows them to collaborate to enhance EWS and make it the best school it can be. The Parent-Teacher Collaborative offers various opportunities for volunteering and involvement to suit everyone's talents.
How we serve…
Parents are encouraged to volunteer on committees that organize these events and activities whether that be helping with logistics, donating supplies and items to sell, or hosting:The PTC Committees organize the following activities:
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Casual gathering at the farm after drop-off, first Tuesday of the month, 8:30 am-10:00 am.
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All-school casual gatherings at the farm. Second Friday of the month, 3:30pm-5:30pm at EWS Farm.
We coordinate a small market where EWS families have an opportunity to sell their homegrown produce or homemade items to our whole community.
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A cornerstone Emerson Waldorf festival showcasing much of what our school has to offer and celebrates the Fall Season.
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An EWS Community adult-only, social gathering under the stars.
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A memorable day that truly honors the dedication and hard work of our faculty and staff.
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Tiffin is a quarterly lunch organized by EWS families for faculty and staff as a show of gratitude and appreciation.
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A group dedicated to creating opportunities for fathers and father figures within the school community to connect and engage.
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Dedicated to promoting environmentally conscious practices within our school by raising awareness about sustainable living and implementing practices that reduce our ecological footprint. The committee aims to inspire students, parents, and staff to embrace a greener lifestyle and contribute to the preservation of our planet for current and future generations.
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Enriching the life of parents and caregivers through education. We organize workshops, seminars, and discussion sessions that address a range of topics relevant to parenting, child development, and personal growth.
PTC Leadership Structure
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The PTC depends on this role for steering leadership and guidance, ensuring goals, projects, and events sync harmoniously with the school's mission, values, and established procedures.
Leading as the PTC Chair offers a chance to create a significant impact and drive the growth and prosperity of our Waldorf community.
Leadership and Coordination: Oversee the PTC's activities, steer meetings, and provide guidance to committees and volunteers for enhanced accountability.
Relationship Building: Cultivate strong connections with the school administration, faculty, parent representatives, and the broader community by actively listening to their feedback and advocating for their perspectives and championing their viewpoints.
Communication: Establish transparent and open communication channels among the PTC, school administration, and parent community. Share vital information, updates, and announcements while actively seeking input and feedback from parents.
Strategic Planning: Collaborating with the PTC Leadership Council to set goals, prioritize tasks, and craft initiatives that align with our school's educational vision and values.
Resource Allocation: This key role fuels and uplifts the varied committees in the PTC. It involves allocating resources, offering guidance, and fostering an environment that nurtures creativity, encourages collaboration, and innovation.
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Vice Chairs play a crucial role in supporting the Chair, overseeing committees, organizing events, and driving school initiatives. This guarantees smooth PTC operations, fosters positive involvement, and prioritizes the overall wellness of our Waldorf community.
Vice Chairs needed: A minimum of 3 passionate Vice Chairs to support the PTC Chair. Step in when the Chair is absent and help fulfill responsibilities effectively.
Assignments: Each individual is tasked with a designated school section, covering Early Childhood, Grades, and High School. They are responsible for fostering effective communication and collaboration within their respective areas.
Secretary and Treasurer: A dedicated Secretary will be on hand to expertly record meetings, organize records, and enhance communication. Meanwhile, a designated Treasurer will skillfully manage PTC finances, overseeing budgeting, accounting, fund collection, and financial reporting.
Setting the direction of the PTC: Initiate planning and executing PTC goals and efforts such as: school festivals, fundraisers, parent enrichment, Farm Fridays, Tea Tuesdays, and more!
Active role in the community: Engage in actively recruiting, appointing, and guiding fellow community members to join school events, activities, and initiatives.
Maintain smooth operations: Advise the Chair on recruiting new volunteers for the upcoming year to ensure a smooth transition and have a fresh team ready to kick off the next year!
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Each class (and the High School as a whole) should have up to three (or more) Representatives to the PTC. Their role is to be a conduit from the class to the PTC and to serve as a liaison between teachers and families. In addition, they should create opportunities for their class to learn more about our school, Waldorf education, provide physical support to events and the classroom, coordinate ways to celebrate teachers and staff. PTC Class Representatives are vital in builduilding relationships between class families and the school community as a whole.
Class Representatives will encourage feedback from their classes. Inspire and guide families hoping to bring new committees or ideas to the community.
Assignments: Every class will have 3 reps - representing the heads, hearts, and hands of their class. Their role is crucial in nurturing seamless communication and collaboration among class parents/caregivers, teachers, and PTC. Each rep can assume a designated role agreed upon by the team.
Champion for the class: Reps play a crucial role in gathering insights, feedback, and fostering active involvement and support from parents/caregivers. They also represent the class during PTC meetings.
Organize: Engage with the class by organizing activities and fostering connections. Deliver weekly updates on school and class happenings to keep everyone in the loop!
Active role in the community: Engage and rally class parents/caregivers to champion PTC initiatives and boost overall school involvement.
2024/25 PTC Roster
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Chair - Lena Foley
Treasurer - Amana Cotcamp
Vice Chair EC - Sarah Poulton
Vice Chair EC - Khryste Griswold
Vice Chair Grades - Ashley Collins
Vice Chair Grades - Amana Cotcamp
Vice Chair Grades - Katharine Brown
Vice Chairs HS - Lorena Martinez
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Honeybee Nursery: Erin Powell
Hummingbird Kindergarten: Noriko Shiota Slusser, Alexis Wilson, & Sarah Poulton
Goldfinch Kindergarten: Khryste Griswold
Chickadee Kindergarten: Matthew Moreira Bahnson & Erin Long
Bluebird Kindergarten: Shannon Ladd, Colie Porter, & Ilan Reznikov
First Grade - Kim Paolucci, Erin Crawford, & Kara Strubberg
Second Grade: Catherine Dougherty, Claire Reid, & Lauren Rutkowski
Third Grade: Heather King, Ashley Collins, Metta Prieto, & Lissy Barrios
Fourth Grade: Justin Bost, Bridget Leibold, Jules Sewer
Fifth Grade: Priya Gopal, Sommer Sobin, Susanna Wagner
Sixth Grade: Leif Bolin, Kala Estrella, & Catherine Dougherty
Seventh Grade: Rebecca Berenfield, Dane Dougall, & Henry Chan
Eight Grade: Ildi Horovitz, Jessie Sincavage, & Cristina Starr
11th Grade: Rula Freiji-Mouawad
12th Grade: Kim Black