An Introduction to
Volunteering at CCS
Volunteer Handbook
2009-2010
KEY CONTACTS
Kerri Neis, Director of Advancement
kerri.neis@catherinecookschool.org
312.266.3381 ext. 149
Jill Due, Director of Admissions
jill.due@catherinecookschool.org
312.266.3381 ext. 146
PARENT ASSOCIATION
Lisa Wilkins
President
lisawilkins1@hotmail.com
773.870.5165
Stacia Garriot-Kass
Vice President
staciagarriott@gmail.com
312.543.4240
Robin Breslin
Secretary
rhbreslin@comcast.net
773.697.4344
Brooke Tonneman
Treasurer
bigmouthtalent@hotmail.com
312.948.0037
Bonnie Schulgasser
Room Parent Coordinator
bonnieschu1@comcast.net
773.494.9159
Jenni Pencyla
Room Parent Coordinator
jenniandromas@comcast.net
312.945.3874
ANNUAL FUND
Diana Sands, Co-Chair
diana.l.sands@boeing.com
312.544.2165
Lisa Snow, Co-Chair
lsnow@DHLLC.com
312.506.1524
ANNUAL BENEFIT
Mollie Rattner, Co-Chair
mollierattner@yahoo.com
773.383.0283
Patti Trudeau, Co-Chair
patti@ptarch.com
312.543.6634
Working together, we make a difference in the lives of our students!
Please take a moment to review the different volunteer oppportunities.
Make your selections on the VOLUNTEER REPLY CARD and return it to
The Catherine Cook School by August 1.
VOLUNTEERS MAKE
A DIFFERENCE...
This handbook provides a detailed explanation of the opportunities
to get involved in the CCS community. These opportunities are
in addition to the classroom support requested by the teachers
(e.g., holiday celebrations, 100th Day celebrations, field trips,
and curriculum based celebrations). Each teacher will work
with their Room Parents to coordinate opportunities for all
parents to participate in class, grade, or division level support, as
appropriate.
BUILDING A STRONG
VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY…
There are many opportunities for parents and guardians to become
actively involved at The Catherine Cook School. Volunteers are
an important part of the community. They offer their time and
talent and in return reap the rewards of contributing to the success
of the school and its students. They are leaders and demonstrate
the importance of contributing to something bigger than ourselves.
Whatever your schedule, abilities or interests, there is a volunteer
opportunity for you!
WHY VOLUNTEER
AT CCS?
• It is a great way to meet other parents and forge new friendships.
• Volunteers are positive role models for our children.
• Volunteer contributions significantly impact the community.
• It is a great way to learn more about your child’s education.
• It is a great way to get to know faculty and staff.
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COMMUNITY EVENTS
BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION
SEPTEMBER 11, 2009
An annual event held to celebrate the beginning of a new school
year. Parents, faculty and staff are all invited for the evening to
meet and socialize over food and cocktails on the school’s unique
(and hopefully sunny!) roof top deck. Volunteer opportunities to
assist with the event include planning, set-up, clean-up and working at the welcome table that evening.
HALLOWEEN
OCTOBER 30, 2009
Boo! Halloween is always an exciting time of the year. Volunteers
are asked to support the school in age appropriate celebrations,
decorating the school, distributing a festive snack and serving as
Halloween Parade Route Guides.
VIP DAY
NOVEMBER 20, 2009
The spirit of giving is vitally important
to CCS and is expressed every day in the
actions of our community. Parents help
support students in a variety of ways-volunteering in the classroom, serving
on the PA, supporting the Annual Fund,
or working on the Benefit Committee.
Generous volunteers help make a CCS
education extraordinary.
VIP Day (formally
Grandparents and Special
Friends Day) is an annual
event that welcomes
grandparents and other
special friends to come and
interact with their favorite
CCS student and experience a visit to The Catherine Cook School.
Parent volunteers are needed to welcome and guide guests during
their visit.
VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DAY
MAY 11, 2010
This day is designed to celebrate YOU, our volunteers! Please
come to the May Parent Association meeting to enjoy a celebration
in appreciation of your contributions.
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FACULTY AND STAFF APPRECIATION DAY
MAY 12, 2010
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.”
Henry Adams
One day each year, the Parent Association celebrates and thanks
the faculty and staff at the annual Appreciation Luncheon.
Volunteer opportunities include planning the celebration,
coordinating with faculty, organizing a gift for the teachers,
coordinating parent volunteers, and supervising classrooms and the
lunchroom during teacher absences.
SCHOOL’S OUT PICNIC
JUNE 6, 2010
The School’s Out Picnic is a fun family event the Sunday before
the last day of school. The event is a great opportunity for all CCS
families to get together for a relaxed day at the park. Volunteer
opportunities include planning and preparing for the event, set-up,
clean-up, and working at the welcome table.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
AMBASSADOR PROGRAM
The Ambassador Program pairs an incoming family with an
existing CCS family to help them become integrated into the
community. An Ambassador Family welcomes new families to
the school, introduces them to other families, answers questions
and introduces children at play dates. Ambassadors are also asked
to attend an August parent-only evening reception. Volunteers
that express interest in serving as an Ambassador Family will be
matched with an incoming family in the Spring of 2010 and will
sponsor them throughout the 2010-2011 school year.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The Community Support Committee provides assistance to CCS
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families during times of special need (such as a death in the family
or a sick relative). Volunteer opportunities include assisting with
play dates, rides to and from school, meals, or other forms of
reaching out as appropriate when a fellow community member
needs a helping hand.
DADS’ CLUB
Each year the Dads’ Club holds a few events to celebrate the
importance of Dads in the school community. All Dads (and male
guardians) are welcome to join. Volunteer opportunities exist to
chair the club or plan meaningful events.
HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE
The Hospitality Committee supports the school by supplying,
setting-up and cleaning-up refreshments for school-sponsored
events like the annual State of the School Meeting, High School
Night, Academic Fair, and Parent Open House. A volunteer is
needed to coordinate efforts with school administrators and ensure
all required events are well staffed. Volunteers are welcome to
help at an individual event. This is a great opportunity, even for
the busiest parents.
Middle School Special Lunches
Several times a year the Middle School parents plan, shop for,
cook, and serve a special lunch to the Middle School students.
Volunteers are needed to help execute each of the special lunches.
MOMS’ CLUB
Each year the Moms’ Club holds several special events that
bring Moms (and female guardians) together to socialize and
celebrate the importance of Moms in the community. Volunteer
opportunities exist to plan, communicate, and implement
meaningful activities for CCS Moms.
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SPIRIT COMMITTEE
Go Cougars! The Spirit Committee is in charge of managing the
inventory and sales of Spirit Gear items like t-shirts, hats and
sweatshirts that help our community show their Catherine Cook
spirit. The volunteers track and order inventory, organize monthly
Spirit Gear sales drives at school, and distribute gear purchased
online.
STAFF APPRECIATION TREATS
What better way to show faculty and staff how much their hard
work is appreciated than with some fuel for their day? One
morning a month, parents provide treats to share with faculty and
staff. This is an ideal volunteer opportunity if you don’t have a lot
of time to spare. Treats are set-up in the teacher’s lounge before
school, and one time commitments are welcome. The Parent
Association also seeks a chair to coordinate dates and volunteers.
TEACHER LUNCHROOM RELIEF
Twice a month parent volunteers supervise the lunchroom to give
teachers an opportunity to enjoy a free lunch period. This is a fun
opportunity for volunteers to see their children, be a part of school
life, and thank the teachers with a little time off.
MIDDLE SCHOOL
ATHLETIC PROGAM SUPPORT
ATHLETIC BANQUET
The Athletic Banquet is held annually to recognize the
accomplishments of CCS Middle School studentathletes. It is attended by all the athletes, their families and
coaches. Volunteer opportunities include planning the event, setup and clean-up on the evening of the event.
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CONCESSION STAND
Volunteers are needed to run the concession stand during home
sporting events which include purchasing supplies, as well as arranging and coordinating volunteers to work the concession stand.
TEAM PARENTS
Team Parents are needed to provide support to teams and coaches
as needed including providing snacks for games.
Fall
Winter
Spring
• Boys Flag Football
• Girls Volleyball
• Co-ed Soccer
• Boys Basketball
• Girls Basketball
• Girls Soccer
• Co-ed Softball
FUNDRAISING SUPPORT
ANNUAL FUND GRADE LEVEL CAPTAINS
The Annual Fund is one of two fundraising efforts at Catherine
Cook; the other is the Annual Benefit. The Annual Fund consists
of gifts raised annually to support current operations of CCS that
are not covered by tuition. It is our number one philanthropic
effort, and it is a gift that CCS asks of all trustees, parents, friends,
faculty and staff.
The 2009-2010 Annual Fund will be co-chaired by CCS parents
Diana Sands and Lisa Snow. Volunteers are needed to be Grade
Level Captains to champion Annual Fund participation in their
grade. Captains will be asked to attend an orientation session,
make calls at the annual Phone-a-Thon on January 10 and 11, and
be proactive, positive advocates of the Annual Fund.
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ANNUAL BENEFIT COMMITTEE
The Annual Benefit is a night full of excitement for the CCS
community! All parents, guardians, friends, faculty and staff are
invited to get together in support of CCS and help raise funds
for important items in the school’s budget. It takes many parent
volunteers to make this event a success every year, and volunteers
are needed to chair or be a part of several committees:
• Silent and Live Auctions: secure, gather, package and present
donations for auction at the event
• Underwriting and Event Sponsorship: design sponsorship
packages and secure sponsors to assist in underwriting event
costs
• Cash Raffle: design, distribute, market and sell raffle tickets
• Party Planning: coordinate caterer, beverage, space and rentals
for the event
• Marketing: creative design of theme and logo; graphic design
and typesetting of printed materials including invitation and
program book; and communications to the community
ADMISSIONS OFFICE SUPPORT
ADMISSIONS OPEN HOUSE
NOVEMBER 8, 2009
CCS holds an Open House welcoming all families who have an
interest in learning more about a CCS education to come and
explore the school. Friendly parents who love CCS and would like
to share their enthusiasm with prospective families are needed to
attend the event, greet prospective parents, and answer questions.
ADMISSIONS PLAY DATES
From December through March, the Admissions Office hosts
play dates in PS, JK and SK classrooms for prospective students.
Friendly parents who love CCS and would like to share their
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enthusiasm with prospective families are invited to assist in
hosting the event. Volunteers will socialize with parents while
their children visit classrooms. Play dates typically run from 8
a.m. to 12 p.m. and volunteers are welcome to sign-up for one or
many play dates.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAM SUPPORT
STUDENT ART DISPLAY ASSISTANT
Barb Dawn needs assistance with framing and displaying student
art in the hallways and in the Greenberg Gallery.
EARLY CHILDHOOD ART ROOM PARENT
Sandra Bauhs would like a Room Parent to assist her with project
and volunteer coordination. There are also opportunities for
occasional help in the classroom with art projects.
Middle School French
Suzie Giacotto would like parent volunteers to chaperone the
following field trips:
• Fall French outing
• Busche de Noel Field Trip to Hotel Sofitel in December: half
day outing including lunch
• French in Chicago: a spring afternoon walking tour for students
in grades 7 and 8
• Language Olympics in May: supervision needed for the day to
assist with games and a trip to the park
Middle School Spanish
Volunteer opportunities are available for fluent Spanish-speaking
parents who are interested in providing extra-curricular tutoring to
Middle School Spanish students.
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VOLUNTEER EVENT CALENDAR
AUGUST 2009
Tuesday, August 11
Ambassador Reception
SEPTEMBER 2009
Tuesday, September 8
Friday, September 11
Tuesday, September 15
First Day of School Coffees
Back to School Celebration
Parent Association Meeting
OCTOBER 2009
Wednesday, October 7
Tuesday, October 13
Wednesday, October 21
Friday, October 30
Parent Open House
Parent Association Meeting
High School Night
Halloween Celebration
NOVEMBER 2009
Sunday, November 8
Tuesday, November 10
Monday, November 16
Friday, November 20
Admissions Open House
Parent Association Meeting
State of the School Meeting
VIP Day
DECEMBER 2009
No Parent Association Meeting
JANUARY 2010
Tuesday, January 12
Parent Association Meeting
FEBRUARY 2010
Tuesday, February 9
Parent Association Meeting
MARCH 2010
Tuesday, March 9
Saturday, March 20
Parent Association Meeting
Annual Benefit
APRIL 2010
Tuesday, April 13
Parent Association Meeting
MAY 2010
Tuesday, May 11
Wednesday, May 12
Friday, May 14
Wednesday, May 19
Friday, May 28
Volunteer Appreciation Day
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day
Staff Appreciation Assembly
Athletic Banquet
Academic Fair
JUNE 2010
Sunday, June 6
School’s Out Picnic
H E L P M A K E CCS
WHAT SCHOOL SHOULD BE...
V O L U N T E E R !
CATHERINE COOK
PARENT ASSOCIATION
Every parent and guardian of a CCS student is automatically a
member of the Parent Association (PA). The purpose of the PA is
to build a sense of community and provide a strong communication
link between the parent body and the school. Monthly PA meetings
are open to all and are a great way to meet other parents, learn how
to get involved, and find out what’s happening in school.
Please join us.
If you’d like to learn more, visit www.catherinecookschool.org;
click on About; then select Parent Association.