This page is being revised. Please email birchwood@niskypto.org for updated information. - Brief Volunteer Position Descriptions for each volunteer are available below.
- The current list of Officers, Committee Heads and Members can be viewed here.
- Go here to find out more about volunteering and how to sign up.
- If you have questions about a position or updates for this page, email the PTO (birchwood@niskypto.org).
- Chairpersons and coordinators can request "Committee Successor Information" about their programs (electronic files and/or binders stored at Birchwood) by emailing the PTO.
- For more information about PTO programs and events, explore the PTO website!
Executive Committee Co-Presidents
| Two-year term; one new co-president each year Supervise all aspects of PTO programs, events, and fundraisers in cooperation with the school principal Manage a team of committee chairs Attend PTO and PTO-related meetings
| Vice President, Programs and Services
| Supervise PTO programs and events in cooperation with co-presidents Manage a team of program and service chairs
| Vice President, Fundraising
| Research fundraising organizations and make decisions to meet PTO fundraising goals Manage a team of fundraising coordinators
| Treasurer
| Manage all PTO expenditures and revenue; maintain a balanced budget Ensure correct and timely allocation of funds Prepare and present required monthly and annual financial reports to PTO and district as requested
| Secretary
| Record minutes at monthly PTO meetings and prepare for distribution |
Communications Committee Birchwood Bulletin Editor
| Solicit and edit information from program coordinators, staff, and school district sites to produce a weekly newsletter that informs parents of all school activities
| PTO Webmaster | Maintain the PTO website (birchwood.niskypto.org) with current school information in a timely manner Liaise with district PTO webmaster Design forms and manage input data * Website construction (not programming) experience helpful * Requires work in summer | e-Postmaster
| Manage the PTO email account (birchwood@niskypto.org), answering and forwarding emails as necessary Maintain subscriber list * Requires work in summer | Information Sign
| Consult with school principal about important school dates Update sign board at Birchwood's entrance monthly (Sept. - June)
| Displays
| Create or coordinate indoor displays on PTO bulletin board and display case
| Directory & Dues
| Receive family contact information from the district in September Update directory database with input from school principal, secretary, and PTO leadership Produce camera-ready pages for printing (September) Coordinate directory sales Provide dues reports to PTO treasurer * Requires work in summer
| Media Officer
| Liaise with local media to garner coverage of school events as appropriate |
Chair(s), Back-to-School BBQ (Sept.)
| Coordinate all aspects of this all-school welcome event in fall Coordinate food service with vendor, water bottle sales Promote event to Birchwood families at the end of previous school year and over summer with summer mailing Coordinate equipment rentals (cotton candy and sno-cone machines) Coordinate ticket sales, track food orders, manage payments Plan and implement activities (face-painting, crafts, games) Designate and oversee subcommittees (e.g. food, activities, set-up/clean-up, promotion, equipment rental, volunteer coordinator) * Requires work in summer
| Hospitality Coordinator
| Welcome new families to Birchwood by providing refreshments at newcomer's night and Kindergarten orientation Provide support to PTO Co-Presidents as needed | Chair(s), Book Fairs (Fall, Spring)
| Coordinate twice-yearly book fairs in cooperation with Media Center Assist with set-up and take-down Recruit and schedule volunteers
| Coordinator, School Pictures (Sept. - Oct.)
| Facilitate picture day in Sept. and make-up day in Oct. Work with portrait studio and school principal Inform parents about school portraits Manage order forms
| Chair(s), Monster Mash (Oct.)
| Coordinate all aspects of this all-school Halloween event Promote event to Birchwood families Plan and coordinate food and activities Recruit and schedule volunteers Designate and oversee subcommittees (e.g. decorations, food, activities, scary room, set-up/clean-up, promotion, volunteer coordinator)
| Chair(s), Staff Appreciation Breakfast (Oct.)
| Arrange a casual breakfast buffet for staff in Oct. Distribute invitations to staff Coordinate food sign-ups from parents; coordinate volunteers Purchase food as necessary Set up and decorate
| Chair(s), Open House (Dec.)
| Coordinate activities and programming to encourage parent and student participation in this annual event
| Chair(s), Staff Appreciation Luncheon (March)
| Arrange a lunch buffet for staff Distribute invitations to staff Coordinate food sign-ups from parents; coordinate volunteers Set up and decorate
| Chair(s), Fun Fair (March)
| Coordinate all aspects of this all-school spring event Promote event to school families Plan and coordinate food and activities, including coordinating games with 5th grade students Recruit and schedule volunteers Coordinate with teacher liaison for staff raffle; manage raffle ticket sales Designate and oversee subcommittees (e.g. food, games, prizes, raffle, promotion, volunteer coordinator)
| Niska-Day Coordinator (May)
| Coordinate and corral Birchwood marchers in town-wide event Float (next needed in 2017): recruit volunteers to design and construct Niska-Day float Communicate with school families about parade marching instructions
| 5th Grade Talent Show Coordinator (June, with Field Day)
| Work with 5th grade students, parents, and teachers to produce show Coordinate and screen acts with school principal
| Chair(s), Ice Cream Social
| Coordinate all aspects of this all-school, end-of-year event Promote event to school families Recruit and schedule volunteers Secure food donations
| Coordinator, Visiting author
| Suggest, schedule, and promote a visit by childrens' author in cooperation with the Media Center Assist with author's visit
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Fundraising Chairpersons (Fundraisers are tentative, based on PTO yearly planning. More info: PTO Fundraisers.)
Children's Artwork
| Work with parents to obtain photos/artwork for spring fundraiser Liaise with outside vendor to obtain samples
Promote sales and manage orders
Deliver payment to Treasurer and report on earnings to PTO
| Entertainment Book Sales
| Distribute coupon book and order forms for fall fundraiser Promote sales and manage orders Coordinate distribution when orders are fulfilled Deliver payment to Treasurer and report on earnings to PTO | Frozen Foods Sales
| Prepare and distribute order forms for fall fundraiser Promote sales and incentive programs Manage orders Coordinate distribution when orders are fulfilled; distribute sales prizes Deliver payment to Treasurer and report on earnings to PTO
| Grants
| Research and pursue grant funding opportunities for PTO programs throughout the year Assist with grant writing
| Grocery Programs
| Promote and coordinate shopper reward programs throughout the year: Box Tops for Education, Labels for Education, Hannaford Helps Schools, Price Chopper Tools 4 Schools Publicize monthly collections sheets for Box Tops and Labels & develop a collection system Organize and implement incentive program (prizes) for Box Tops and Labels collection Meet deadlines for mailing in collected material for Box Tops and Labels (twice per year) Provide monthly updates on participation and earnings to PTO leadership Coordinate delivery of payment to the school or point redemption with the program | Popcorn Friday
| Coordinate to make and sell popcorn at snack time every other Friday throughout the year Plan and arrange purchase of supplies Deliver payment to Treasurer and report on earnings to PTO | Spirit Wear Birchwood Clothing
| Research available clothing and products Oversee logo design Liaise with outside vendor to obtain samples and final product Coordinate sales and distribution Deliver payment to Treasurer and report on earnings to PTO
| Target RED card & Colonie Center School Bucks
| Promote and coordiate shopper reward programs throughout the year Provide monthly updates on participation and earnings to PTO leadership Coordinate delivery of payment to the school | Program Coordinators (More info: PTO Programs) After School Enrichment Program (ASEP)
| Identify topics for after-school classes in fall and spring in cooperation with school staff Arrange instructors Create and produce class schedule and course descriptions Distribute schedule and promote program Manage student enrollment and coordinate payment to Treasurer
| Arts in Education
| Research, preview, and secure programs for school assemblies (approximately 4/year) in collaboration with the principal Inform parents about assembly schedule via website and weekly bulletin Attend assembly and provide support to show personnel
| Fish Tank Maintenance
| Purchase supplies and provide routine cleaning and maintenance for fish tank in cafeteria (daily feeding is done by school staff)
| Homeroom Parent Coordinator
| Recruit and train 3-4 parent volunteers per class Hold informational meeting in September before curriculum nights Liaise between parents and PTO * Requires work in summer | Junior Achievement
| Work with Junior Achievement national program and school teachers to coordinate classroom lessons on business and finance Recruit, train, and coordinate a parent volunteer for each class
| Media Center (2)
| Recruit, train, and schedule parent volunteers to support operations (checking books in/out, reshelving, etc) in the Media Center (library) throughout the year Work with Book Fair coordinator to manage fall and spring book sale
| Nature Park
| Advance the work of restoring Birchwood School Nature Park, including pursuing funding and visioning its future Propose, implement, and promote Nature Club activities for students Recruit and manage team a parent volunteers
| Photography
| Take pictures at school events for the yearbook, archives, and other purposes
| Preschool Story/Gym Program
| Coordinate this preschool outreach program which meets weekly January - March, including coordinating teachers and district staff to speak to parents and arranging gym and story time for kids Obtain contact information of preschool families in the school zone; mail invitation letter Arrage practice bus ride in the spring for incoming Kindergarteners
| School Banking
| Liaise with bank (currently CapCom) to provide school bank accounts Schedule and provide volunteers for twice-monthly school banking hour throughout the year Promote the program and provide reminders to participants about program deadline (e.g. Great Grades, Summer and Winter Reading programs, and other contests)
| 1,000 Book Kid Program
| Promote this free book-borrowing program among area preschoolers Arrange kick-off event in spring in cooperation with preschool outreach program Monitor condition of books, bags, and checkout system in cafeteria throughout the year
| Yearbook
| Design and produce annual yearbook with team of volunteers using the web-based system provided by vendor (currently Lifetouch) Manage promotion of sales of the yearbook Coordinate income and payment with Treasurer Recruit and manage a team of volunteers
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District Program Liaisons Board of Education
| Attend Board of Education meetings and community forums Report to PTO and inform Birchwood families of relevant issues (via website and bulletin) Website: http://www.niskayunaschools.org
| Friends of Music (FOM)
| Attend monthly FOM meetings Report to PTO and inform Birchwood families of relevant events and programs (via website and bulletin) Website: http://www.nisk.k12.ny.us/departments/fom/
| Niskayuna Community Action Program (N-CAP)
| Attend monthly N-CAP meetings Report to PTO and inform Birchwood families of relevant events and programs (via website and bulletin) | Shared Decision-Making Committee
| Work as parent representative with teachers and staff to improve school-wide education with programs like character education, learning fairs, and open mic night |
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