Parent volunteers make this school run, and it shows kids how much you value their education. 

THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO VOLUNTEER. HERE ARE SOME OF THEM:
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Participate at PFA Meetings or on the PFA Board

All Sumac parents are invited to the PFA's monthly meetings, on the first Wednesday evening of each month, with recap meetings always held the following Friday morning.  There may also be open positions at any time.  Click to see the list of filled and open PFA Board positions, and contact Jenn Kurtz to get involved on the Board.

CURRENTLY OPEN BOARD POSITION: Co-VP of Parent Communications & Marketing

Be a Room Parent

For more info, please contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman

Help in the Classroom

Volunteer through your classroom's Parent Square site, available once school has begun, or coordinate directly with your student's teacher(s).  

Give us some STEAM
(Art-Science) Help!

Click Join Group to add your name to this ParentSquare group.
STEAM / Art-Science Volunteer Info
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Help in the Library/Media Center

Click Join Group to add your name to this ParentSquare group.
Library Volunteer Info
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Fill a Short Event or Activity Shift

Sign up to help at FALL FESTIVAL or other events throughout the year.  Sign up via your classroom's Parent Square site, available once school has begun.

Join a Committee
Help Plan an Event or Activity

Show your kids what it means to be a part of our school community.  Fun and family are always the core focus, while fundraising is also an important aspect to some events.  But it cannot be done without your ideas and/or energy.  Please see the list of committees and chairs to determine where your talent and interests fit best.  You can also be a part of our event planning by going to ParentSquare>Groups and ​clicking "Join Group" for those you're interested in.

​Some specific areas where help is needed:
Most of these committees also allow signups at ParentSquare
  • Fall Festival: One of Sumac's largest annual fundraisers.  Visit our PFA Committees page to add your name to the list.  You may also contact our PFA Events chairs, Katy Thompson and Jaime Teshinsky to submit potential vendors.  
  • Room Parent: Help Sumac’s classroom teachers with classroom needs, celebrations, events, etc.  Please speak with your teacher, visit our PFA Committees page, or contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman.
  • Library/Media Center Volunteer: Assist Sumac’s Librarian/Media Specialist with organization, projects, and class visits.  Click Join Group to join the Library's volunteer group.  You may also contact media center specialist Julia Stratton.
  • Sumac Spirit Wear: Help with orders, receipts, and gear distribution throughout the year.  Please contact Jenn Kurtz.
  • Website Team: Help keep the website up-to-date with the latest info, stories, calendars, graphic design, and more.  Please contact Howard Schlossberg.
  • STEAM (Art-Science) classes: Assist Sumac’s STEAM specialist with organization, projects, and class visits.  Click Join Group to join the STEAM volunteer group.  You may also contact STEAM specialist Carol Mallett.
  • Sponsorships and Grant Writing: We need people to help raise money from outside sources.  Click Join Group to join the committee group.  You may also contact PFA board members Mike Laxner or Amanda Martin or Sumac principal Liberty Logan.
  • Yearbook Staff: Help put together photos and pages for this great annual book.  Visit our PFA Committees page to add your name to the list, or contact Paula Roth.
  • After School Enrichment: Interested in coordinating a program? Contact PFA presidents Jenn Kurtz or Bridget van Gelder.  Help select subjects, schedule vendors, promote the program, coordinate registrations, and otherwise organize.
  • Movie Nights - Help plan and organize; visit our PFA Committees page to add your name to the list, or contact Katy Thompson or Jaime Teshinsky
  • Campout – New this year! Help plan and execute this overnight campout.
  • Dia de los Muertos – Oct, 2020: Coordinate this fun, cultural learning experience.  Click Join Group to join the committee group.  You may also contact Edna Sandoval, Katy Thompson or Jaime Teshinsky.
  • Gift Wrap/Catalog fundraiser – Oct-Dec 2020: Help communicate, organize, and distribute goods from this fantastic fundraiser.  Contact Mike Laxner.
  • Family Weekend Events – February, 2021: Help organize the popular parent/child dance and sports events.  Contact Katy Thompson or Jaime Teshinsky
  • Jog-a-thon – April, 2021: Join forces for this significant student fundraiser.  The Jog-a-thon raises nearly 25% of the PFA’s annual budget to fund PE, Art/Science, assemblies, and classroom funds.  Click Join Group to join the committee group. You may also contact Mike Laxner to be on the planning committee, volunteer, or be a sponsor. 
  • School Book Fair – March, 2021: Chairperson and volunteers needed to organize and run this event at school. Contact Amanda Martin.
  • Dia de los Niños – April, 2021: Dia de los Niños has been celebrated in Mexico since 1925 and became a celebration of our children in 2015.  Volunteer to help us have a wonderful event.  Contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman.
  • Talent Show – April, 2021: Help the kids shine by organizing, helping with auditions, rehearsals, and the big show.  Contact Bridget Van Gelder.
  • Art Cards – Spring 2021: Support STEAM teacher, Ms. Mallett, turn the kids’ artwork into keepsakes.  Contact Jenn Kurtz.
  • Silent Auction – Spring 2021: Assist in gathering community donations and facilitating this event.  Contact Jenn Kurtz.
  • Staff Appreciation Week - May 2021.  Celebrate Sumac's faculty and other staff.  Contact Jenn Kurtz.
  • International Festival – June, 2020: Help organize and stage this amazing student presentation of song and dance from around the world, in coordination with Sumac's music specialist and teachers.  Contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman.
  • Family Field Day – June, 2021: Support this event filled with fun for the whole family.  Includes outdoor games, the Family Amazing Race, food, and more. Contact Katy Thompson or Jaime Teshinsky
  • Volunteer Bank: Allow us to reach out if volunteer needs arise throughout the year.
  • Restaurant Nights: Organize and promote monthly fun nights of food, friends and fundraising at local restaurants.  Contact Jenn Kurtz.
  • Assemblies: Help program and coordinate educational assemblies at Sumac.  Contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman.
  • Change Challenge: A fun week-long challenge to the kids to collect the most change.  Contact Mike Laxner or Amanda Martin.
  • Math/Engineering Fair – May, 2021:  Contact Liberty Logan.
​For general volunteering questions, or to help out with any coming events, please contact Lauren Arzu or Janet Turman or look for the sign-up on the school's Parent Square website.