PTSA

Volunteering your time, effort and expertise in our PTSA teaches your children so many valuable lessons. Not only do they learn from your example, but it also keeps you more involved in the school community.

Not sure what you could contribute? Don't know if you have any time? There are always fulfilling and important projects for which you can volunteer. PTSA welcomes GHA parents, faculty and administration to its membership. Contact any member of our Executive Committee to discuss opportunities. Even if you have only 30 minutes to spare, share it with us. We will work with you to figure out how to best use your talents.

PTSA is organized into the following four groups to support the school:

• Mitzvah
• Fundraising
• Services 
• Organization
  

Mitzvah

The Mitzvah committees support the "soul" of our school. They include:

New Family Liaison: These committee members contact and welcome new families to the GHA before school begins and maintain that connection during school year.
Model Seder: This committee is responsible for the organization and implementation of our school-wide Seder.
Chesed Network: Members establish and maintain contact with families in need of support and determine appropriate action (meals, play dates, carpools, etc) needed.
Miracle Maker: Help by collecting donated Chanukah gifts from the GHA families and delivering them to the JF&CS.
Monthly Mitzvah: Assist in planning and implementing Mitzvah projects with GHA students.
Chanukah Project: Help coordinate school-wide Chanukah Art Projects. Assist with special arrangements for holidays such as preparation of Chanukah bags, etc.
Tree of Life: This committee is responsible for managing the "Tree of Life" art piece located on our campus. Individuals may purchase a golden leaf on the Tree of Life in memory of a loved one as part of a permanent memorial.

Parsha Points: Members of this committee contact individuals to sponsor each week's Torah portion. The D'var Torah, which is included in our monthly newsletter GHA Today Online, is written by current and former students, and the sponsorships are generally in honor of a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or birthday.

Fundraising

Let's face it, some of us are born to sell. The GHA PTSA organizes three major fundraising events each school year. Our efforts allow us to purchase additional items every year for your kids to enjoy. These gifts have included a new art patio, enhanced playground equipment, computers, software, equipment, landscaping, and new books for the school library.

Services

Several committees provide necessary services that enhance our daily lives at the GHA. Services are provided throughout the year to our student body, teachers, and GHA families. The services committees include:

Challah Distribution: This committee distributes challah on Friday mornings and holidays.
School Pictures: Committee members working with our photographer and coordinate picture-taking with the school of our students, faculty, administrators and officials.
School Store: This committee operates the school store.
Skating Party: This committee organizes and chaperones GHA's Skating Party, which is held on President's Day.
Used Uniform Sale: This committee collects and sells gently-used uniforms each spring and fall.
Birthday Express: This committee bakes and delivers kosher cakes, giant cookies, sodas and paper goods for student birthday parties and in-school parties for grades Pre-K to 1st grade.
Website Coordination: This committee collects, maintains, and publishes information concerning PTSA programs and events throughout the school year

Organization

There are several committees in this category, each with a different, yet interrelated function.
GHA Family Dinner is a wonderful night in the fall welcoming new families to our school. We play bingo, eat pizza, and get to know each other. Committee members help coordinate the event.
Teacher Appreciation Projects committee members keep our faculty lounge stocked with coffee, tea, etc. They also arrange for occasional snacks for teachers during conferences, holidays, and other events.
Grade and Room Parents are responsible for communicating important family information to the Chesed Network and provide assistance to teachers when requested. In addition, they coordinate teacher gifts at Chanukah and at the end of the year.