PTO Committees and Volunteer Roles

This is a January–March program offering a wide variety of afterschool programming to keep our learning and entertained during the winter months. There are many volunteer roles — from snacks to enrollment — just reach out to find out how you can help.

Nicole Mortier

Key School’s largest fundraiser of the year, and most anticipated, if you give just one hour, you’ll know you were a part of the magic. Volunteer opportunities abound — from soliciting auction items, to helping with the auction website, to setting up and decorating. Be a part of Key’s biggest and most successful annual fundraiser yet.

Volunteers are needed to support our schoolwide bulk supply committee. This unique program makes school supplies easy for each school year. Opportunities include assisting with coordinating teachers’ lists, online and in-store purchases at area retailers, on-site supply distribution to individual classrooms, and more. If you are a master shopper or have a limited time to commit — this is your committee.

Help compile, design, print, and distribute the school directory and handbook.

Help ensure the safety of our students and keep curb drop off going. It’s easy, a great way to get your day started, and a short commitment — just 20 minutes from 8:30am to 8:50am. If you can make it weekly or monthly, that’s terrific, but if every parent volunteered just one day a year, we would have every shift covered.

Each classroom has in it at all times an emergency backpack(s) that is equipped with supplies — such as water, first aid supplies, blankets and snacks — possibly needed in the event of an emergency. Each backpack is replenished at the beginning of the school year with any used or expired supplies, and each backpack has enough of each item for every student and teacher in the classroom.

 Jessi Cates-Bristol

 Erica Merson

This is a great volunteer opportunity if you only have availability in the fall. The Fun Run is a fundraising event which takes place at the end of October at Fletchers Cove Boat House! 

Don’t be squeamish — you won’t actually give the shots. This team helps with filling out forms, taking money, and directing student and parent traffic to keep things organized.

At Key, going green is everything from a garden and farmer’s market to waste-free Wednesdays. Join this crew to help Key students become environmental leaders and adopt greener practices.

Grounds cleanup happens twice a year. It’s remarkable what two days a year can do to make the Key grounds beautiful for our kids and the Key School staff. Cleanup happens one day in the fall and one day in the spring — doesn’t get much easier than that.

It may seem far away, but 6th grade is right around the corner. This team helps connect and educate Key families about what our feeder public middle school has to offer. The group meets with parents from Hardy’s other feeder schools, Hardy staff and leadership, DCPS officials, and other stakeholders to help keep our local public education strong.

Kari Wolsky

Lindsay Wells Suntag 

The importance of appreciation can never be overestimated. If you know how to throw together a function and would love to share your praise of Key School, this is for you. This committee coordinates refreshments and events for PTO functions that include teacher appreciation lunches, open houses, PTO meetings, back-to-school night, and the beginning- and end-of-year picnics. 

July 4th Parade

Vacant

There are so many ways to celebrate! You can help build a float (you know you always wanted to), choreograph parade antics, or just literally keep the parade moving - it's all important. This neighborhood tradition is a must-attend, and to be part of the inner workings is even better. Join the fun and celebrate our Key School pride for this amazing event.

Key School Extended Hours Program (KEHP) Liaison

 Shani Winterstein

If you’re looking for an easy-going volunteer option, come assist our librarian with restacking the bookshelves. Work one day every other week or team up with others to help. It’s an easy start or end to the school day, just after drop off or before pick up in the afternoon.

Local School Advisory Team (LSAT)

(These are elected positions that are a 2-year term)

Susan Hamsher

Aliscia Gerken

Tim Johnson

Alexandria Navarro

Matthew Rowland 

This team of parents stays engaged with the goings on in DC’s education community and keeps our Key community updated on important information that affects the school. The team also advocates for and represents Key at various meeting and events throughout the year. The position is a two-year term, and candidates must be voted on.

NW@K (Next Week at Key) is the Key weekly communication that keeps families in the loop. In addition to being emailed out weekly

The nominating committee works in the spring each year to make sure each committee has a chairperson and all executive board positions are filled for the following year. This is also the responsibility of the junior Co-President.

 Key holds several open houses throughout the school year from 9:00am to 10:30am for prospective parents wanting to know more about Key can offer. Parent volunteers guide visiting parents on tours and share their experiences.

Andrew Zeitlin

Jan Kappas

This is a great way to meet other parents and keep up with what’s going on in your child’s classroom. Room parents send emails to coordinate volunteers for special events and field trips and keep everyone in the loop.

From ant mazes to gadgets and gizmos, Science Night in January and the Science Fair in March are not to be missed. This team organizes, finds judges for the science fair projects, and helps with design and setup for both events.

Help Kelly with managing Spirit Wear including our new Online Spirit Wear Store (coming soon). If you have design skills, merchandising skills, or just want to help with sorting and selling T-shirts, and other Key Spirit Wear, please reach out to Kelly. 

Held in May, the Book Fair requires the help of many volunteers for set up and break down, running check-out, and helping children with their book selections. This is a great way to learn more about what is on your child’s book list and a great way to meet other parents.

This volunteer opportunity is not just for strong arms, you can help with selling, checking out, as well as carrying and loading trees. Every extra hand will be warmed by the fire and the smell of holiday pine. Join us for the whole weekend or a few hours — any amount helps.

The Holiday Shop each December creates the element of surprise for every member of your family. Key students love the chance to select quality pre-wrapped gifts for loved ones and charitable donation. This is a great volunteer opportunity — you can help shop ahead of time from the comfort of your house; you can have gifts, wrapping paper, and tape delivered and picked up for you to wrap; or you help kids on the shopping days purchase gifts.

The Key community is vibrant and diverse with a large international presence. International families are encouraged to share with students the various countries and cultures represented at Key. This group holds periodic parent get-togethers and hosts the World Family Day in May when the students “travel” to various countries without ever leaving school.

This fabulous looking website is courtesy of Sara Sklaroff - thanks Sara! 

This year we are hoping to publish a Key School Year Book. Help us to make this happen!