2019-20 Horace Mann School PTA Program & Event Descriptions
Committee/Non-Fundraiser Volunteer Opportunities
Art Adventure
This art appreciation program is sponsored by the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Volunteers receive 3 hours of training, then present works of art in the classroom. Volunteers are invited to the mia for a field trip with the class. 15-20 volunteers needed.
Greetings & Gatherings
Volunteer to assist in informal school gatherings like First Day Donuts, Bingo Night, Movie Nights, or your ideas for school-wide fun. Sign up for one gathering or many. You choose what works for you! 5-15 volunteers needed.
Landscape Committee
Volunteers assist in the planning, maintenance, and beautification of our school grounds and playground. No gardening experience needed and some tools are provided. 5-15 volunteers needed.
Library Volunteer
Assist in the school library as your schedule allows. Tasks may include processing returns, shelving books, working on displays, or helping students choose & check out books to take home. Time commitment could be as little as ½ hour a week and is scheduled for when it works for you!
PTA Directory & Handbook Committee
Work with a group to enter data for the PTA-Sponsored student directory. Most of the work is done in September. Work is done in a group setting at a data entry “party” at a committee member’s home. Use of your own computer is required. 12-15 volunteers needed.
Public Relations Committee
Work with Principal to integrate all of Horace Mann marketing efforts and help spread the word to keep our enrollment strong and flourishing. Seeking expert parent/guardian help in an editorial, social media, graphic design, writing, and photography. The time commitment is variable and flexible. 5-10 volunteers needed.
Spirit Wear
Choose clothing for the Horace Mann logo, set up and publicize 1-2 orders per year, and order the red Horace Mann t-shirts for new students and staff in August. 5-10 volunteers needed.
Teacher Conference Meals (November and/or March)
Provide a portion of a meal to our teachers for one night during conferences. Opportunities to sign up for a main dish, side dish, or dessert is typical. Delivery to school by 3:00pm is required. 20-40 volunteers needed.
Tutoring Program
The volunteer tutoring program at Horace Mann provides one-on-one and small group instruction to children who need additional academic support. The tutor’s go thru a training, orientation, and background check at Horace Mann. Our volunteers work primarily with the subjects of reading and math throughout all grade levels in the school. This would be at minimum a weekly commitment throughout the school year, and each visit is usually 30 minutes to an hour long.
Yearbook Committee
Coordinate the creation of the Horace Mann Yearbook with Lifetouch, Inc. Work with other parents/guardians to gather pictures, use the online resources for creation, and distribute information about the yearbook. This is a year-long committee, but most of the work is done online at your own time & place 6-12 volunteers needed.
Event/Fundraiser Volunteer Opportunities
Box Tops For Education: On-going throughout the year
This fundraising program is sponsored by General Mills. The box tops are collected at school and redeemed for cash from General Mills. Everyone can collect box tops to benefit the school! The work is done at your own time and place. 2-5 volunteers needed to clip and sort Box Tops.
Business Partnerships: On-going throughout the year
The PTA has partnered with local businesses such as Davanni’s and Poppy to take advantage of their reward programs. These programs give back to our school by generating revenue (5-50%) through purchases our families make on designated Horace Mann nights. 5-10 volunteers needed to contact, coordinate, and publicize partnership nights. ***Seeking a new chairperson(s) in 2020-21 school year if you would like to train this year.
Silent & Live Auction: On-going throughout the year
This is a fabulous off-site, adult only fund-raising event for the school – our biggest one of the year! Volunteers are needed for planning on several committees throughout the year, as well as working at the event. Please join us at one or all of our monthly planning meetings-everyone is welcome. 20-30 volunteers needed.
Sock Hop: September 2019
A fun-filled kick off the school year service event. We combine an energy-filled kid dance (complete with DJ’s) with giving back to the community. Collections of new socks and gently used boots and shoes are donated to Project REACH, SPPS office supporting families in housing transitions. 5-10 volunteers needed. ***Seeking a new chairperson(s) in 2020-21 school year if you would like to train this year.
Read-A-Thon: October 2019
A fantastic event that combines reading and fundraising. Students collect pledges for the minutes they read. Children are recognized for reading and tracking their minutes. 10-15 volunteers needed to collect forms and money raised, tabulate pledge sheets, and/or plan the all-school celebration.
Scholastic Book Fair: November 2019
Held in November during Fall conferences, Scholastic books are sold over 3 days at a display at the school. Help set up, work the register, or take down the fair. 12-15 volunteers needed.
Make It Take It: December 2019
Everyone is invited to join in the fun of creating great crafts and gifts for every age! The evening also includes a scrumptious Bake Sale sponsored by the Girl Scouts. Volunteers are needed for preparation as well as working at the event. 8-10 Craft Prep volunteers: 1-3 hours each (some projects may be done in your home). 50 Event volunteers: 1-2 hours each.
Family Volunteer Service Night: February 2020
Family Service Night is an evening for families to spend time together learning, working and caring for others while empowering our students as they discover that they truly can make a difference! 10-15 volunteers needed to plan and to work the night of the event.. **Seeking a new chairperson(s) for 2020-21 school year if you would like to train this year.
Spring Plant Sale: May 2020
This spring fundraiser provides beautiful plants for sale from Gerten’s Nursery (via pre-paid orders). The sale requires volunteers the day of delivery to unload, sort and organize the plants. 10-15 volunteers needed for plant pick up.
Carnival: June 2020
This is a fun-filled end of the year celebration of games, activities, and food.. It is one of the highlights of the school year! Volunteers are needed for planning and coordination of the event. This school wide event relies on participation from the entire school community. Volunteers can help with the planning on one of several sub-committees or help the day of: 60-75 Volunteers are needed for 2 hour shifts the night of the event.