Smith HSA Committees

After-school Clubs |

This committee oversees and operates three semesters of after-school clubs activities. We have four roles scheduling and contracts, communication, treasurer and technology role. The various roles include securing instructors to run 3 semesters of clubs for our students; creating, distributing and processing registration for all of the clubs. Duties may also include room assignments. The committee organizes the clubs schedule, reconciles contracts, registration and payments, and ensures that clubs programs operate according to HSA guidelines, including on-site operations and carpool dismissal procedures. (Year-round) 

Book Fair | 

Working in collaboration with Scholastic, this committee runs two book fairs annually. The committee schedules volunteers, sets up and disassembles displays, creates communications to promote the book fair, and handles monetary transactions. (Fall/Spring)

Carnival | 

This committee plans and hosts the Smith carnival. Responsibilities also include scheduling volunteers during the event, setting-up and dismantling of the event and creating and distributing promotional communications regarding the event. (Typically Fall)

Community Service |

Members are responsible for Smith School’s outreach to the community through multiple community service drives and/or events. Responsibilities include assisting the Student Council with the annual Food Drive in November and Toy Drive in December,  in addition to other community service events planned by the committee and approved by the Executive Board and school's Principal.  Examples of other such events include a Candy Drive for troops after Halloween, Giving Tuesday activities, Project Cicero (book drive) and Snack Pack (Center for Food Action).  (Year-round)

Fifth Grade | 

This committee consists of two to three 5th Grade Co-chairs overseeing a range of sub-committees made up of 5th grade parents. The committee organizes special activities and fundraisers leading up to the end-of-year events and promotion ceremony. An info session will be held June 5th for current 4th grade parents interested in learning more. We have taken note of parents who have already signed up from our previous survey. (Year-round)

Hospitality | 

This committee adds extra sparkle to HSA events by arranging refreshments and treats. The Hospitality Committee supports the Kindergarten Playdate, New Parent Meet & Greet, Concession Stands at various Smith and HSA events, and organizes the Year End Volunteer reception. The committee may also help support ice cream socials and other grade- and school-wide celebrations. (Year-round)

International Day | 

This committee organizes a school-wide program celebrating a designated country. Responsibilities include coordinating cultural learning sessions and hands-on experiences for every class and grade level. The committee also organizes a special assembly, decorates the building, secures and manages volunteers, and creates communications to promote the event. (Spring)

Library & Author Visit Committee | 

Responsibilities include assisting in the library in lieu of a dedicated Library Aide, collecting donations for the Library Fund when needed, and assisting with the Author Visit(s) scheduled by the Librarian during the school year. (Spring)

Indoor Recess Coordinator | 

The Indoor Recess coordinator buys games, puzzles, books, etc. for classrooms to use during indoor recess.  Responsibilities include reaching out to teachers at the start the school year, procuring new materials and distributing to the teachers upon receipt. (September/October)

Lunch Program | 

This committee plans and executes two semesters of lunch, which are offered to students every day. Responsibilities include menu creation, working with vendors on pricing and contracts, overseeing registration and payment, organizing parent volunteers to serve lunch each day, recruit and oversee lunch day captains, enter and reconcile orders and payments to vendors, and maintain/purchase all needed kitchen supplies. Two to four chair people oversee the entire program. (Full Year)

Merch Shop | 

This committee works with vendors to design and produce various types of fun and trendy merchandise with the Smith School logo, such as sweatshirts, tee-shirts, hats, pajama pants, water bottles, etc. Helps promote Smith merch and build school spirit.  (End August - May)

New Family Welcome |

This newly revived committee helps parents and careegivers who are new to Smith School feel at home by sharing school info, local resources, and upcoming events, connecting them with other parents, updating the HSA new parent handbook, and planning the Kindergarten Playdate and running the New Parent Meet & Greet with support from Hospitality —perfect for friendly, outgoing parents, especially those who speak another language!  (end August-May)

Night Out for Smith | 

The committee is responsible for planning, promoting and hosting of the largest social fundraiser of the year. Responsibilities include: selecting a location, coordinating fundraising activities such as securing auction items and running the auction, setting-up and dismantling of event, as well as collecting all monies after the completion of the event.  (October-May)

PASET Representative | 

This representative(s) attends PASET (Parent Association for Special Education in Tenafly) meetings and provides information about PASET initiatives to the HSA at the monthly meetings or by e-mail updates. (Year-round)

Plants & Seasonal Decor | 

This committee beautifies the school grounds with small seasonal displays, as well as orders plants and flowers for students and families to purchase on a scheduled Plant Sale day in the Spring, prior to Mothers’ Day. The Committee selects a vendor, runs the Plant Sale, collects and counts all monies afterwards, and plants any surplus. Responsibilities also include creating promotional communications, and managing volunteers. (Fall/Spring)

Readathon | 

This committee gets students excited about reading and raises funds by running a two-week Readathon that coincides with Read Across America. The committee manages the Read-a-thon online platform, decorates school display cases, reviews student minutes, and organizes prizes, spirit days and special events to encourage participation. (Spring)

School Supplies Coordinator | 

This committee works with the principal and teachers in the Spring to obtain updated lists of required school supplies for the following school year. Responsibilities include interacting with the school supplies vendor, preparing an announcement memo and order form, and coordinating delivery of the supplies to each classroom in late August. (May - September)

Staff Appreciation | 

This committee ensures teachers and staff feel appreciated for their dedication and hard work in educating our children. Responsibilities include organizing and presenting gift cards on calendar appreciation days (ie. National School Nurses' Day) and on special occasions (concerts, art show etc), organizing staff appreciation luncheons (arranging food, setting up library, serving and cleaning up), and planning and managing all activities, food and gifts during Teacher Appreciation Week. Responsibilities include securing and scheduling volunteers, and creating communications to send teachers.  (Year Round)  

Variety Show | 

This committee plans and produces the school talent show. Responsibilities include preparing a schedule of communications to announce the event, including sign-ups for student performances, previewing performances, organizing the schedule of acts and managing an in-person dress rehearsal, in addition to running the actual show. The committee also coordinates parent volunteers, decorates the stage and cleans up the event. (Jan - March)

Ready to get involved and volunteer on an HSA Committee?

Email us at info@SmithSchoolHSA.org!

Please note that serving on a committee requires a two-year commitment.