PTO Volunteer

Westover Elementary School needs you!

At Westover, your involvement is not only appreciated, it’s expected. Whether you can spare a day or two or just an hour, we can use your help. To make it easier to plan your involvement, the following is an overview of most of the PTO events:


***** Indicates you can volunteer for a short or extended period of time
(W) Indicates suitable for working parents

Fundraising Events

Fall Fundraiser *****/W- FALL EVENT in early September, the children are sent home with brochures to sell selected products, i.e. wrapping paper, candy to family, co-workers and friends. At no time should your child sell door to door!
Volunteers are needed to count money on the day the orders are due and distribute boxes the day orders arrive. An hour is all we need!
Book Fair *****/W-FALL and SPRING EVENT held for an entire week in the main lobby of the school. Hours usually range from 8:30 – 4:00. It is also open at night in the fall during the Pasta Dinner for working parents to come and shop. We need volunteers to help set up on the Friday prior to the Book Fair Week; sell and straighten books, assist young students with their wish lists that are sent home and work during the busy Pasta night hours. Many volunteers are needed for as little as a half hour especially during peak times at morning drop off and afternoon pick up.
Class Photos ****/W- FALL EVENT in October during a day when students are professionally photographed for individual and class portraits. Volunteers organize and prepare students for photographer.
Bake Sales *****/W-FALL and SPRING EVENT donated baked goods are sold usually in the main lobby. Many donations are needed the day before as well as volunteers to accept donations and price and sell on the day of the event.
Spirit Wear *****/W -YEAR LONG EVENT t-shirts, sweatshirts, tote bags and other Westover logoed items are sold. Volunteers are needed to process orders, set up and sell items at all major school functions both during the day and evenings.
Burger King Night *****/W- YEAR LONG EVENT 20 % of all receipts collected from Westover Parents on the evening of the event are donated by Burger King on High Ridge Road. Volunteers needed to collect and add up receipts. An adult must accompany all children.
Plant Sale ***** -SPRING EVENT held just before Mother’s Day and usually at the end of Staff Appreciation Week. Volunteers needed as early as 7:00 for set up. As little as an hour needed during the day to help sell flowers and plants. Students come in groups to purchase for mothers, grandmothers and teachers. An hour is all we need!

Other Volunteer Opportunities

Hospitality Committee *****/W -YEAR LONG EVENT handles refreshments for PTO meetings and other special events. Responsibilities include shopping for supplies and provisions, making coffee, setting up and cleaning up.
Pasta Dinner *****/W - FALL EVENT a fun and social event held in 2 nights during the Fall Book Fair. It’s a great opportunity to meet other Westover parents, teachers and staff.
Staff Appreciation Week *****/W- SPRING EVENT a weeklong event to show appreciation to all teachers and staff. Help wrap and distribute presents, serve breakfast or lunch, shop for supplies, set up and clean up after events.
Westover World *****/W -YEAR LONG EVENT similar to a school newspaper published two times a year. Volunteers needed to write, edit and research articles, set up format and copy and distribute final copies. There is also a children’s edition where volunteers help with artwork, typing, set up and final distribution.
Westover Yearbook *****/W- SPRING EVENT delivered at the end of the year. Photos needed all year long as well as volunteers to work on layout, ordering and distribution.
Parent Action Committee *****/W -YEAR LONG EVENT Parents needed to attend public meetings to show our strong commitment to public education and when needed voice Westover parents’ concerns. Meetings include Board of Education, P. T. Council and Budget meetings held in March. This is a great opportunity for working parents to get involved by attending evening meetings. Also this committee hosts a Candidates Forum in October for Westover Parents to meet those running for the Board of Education.
Room Parents *****/W -YEAR LONG EVENT Room parents are assigned to each home base classroom. Duties vary and include; reminder phone calls, set up and clean up for class parties and help with special events.
Lend an Ear *****-YEAR LONG EVENT Before school volunteers on Monday and Tuesday for only ½ hour listen to children read aloud. This is a very rewarding program that makes a real difference in a child’s academic year. A half hour is all we need!
Showcases *****-YEAR LONG EVENT Three showcase performances per year put on by the 3rd, 4th and 5th grades individually. Creative parents are needed to help sew costumes and make props. Also parents are needed to help students prior to performances get dressed and line up. There are two midday performances and one evening show. The A.P.S. team is responsible for organizing and guiding volunteers. You don’t have to have a child in the C or D Teams to help! All talented parents welcome!
Banking Program *****-YEAR LONG EVENT Every Friday morning for one half hour a volunteer from Patriot National Bank sets up a satellite branch at Westover for children in grades 3, 4 and 5 to make deposits. Volunteers are needed to help students fill out deposit slips. A half hour is all we need!
Parades *****/W-FALL and SPRING EVENT Students are usually asked to participate in two parades in downtown Stamford:
Thanksgiving/ Holiday Parade- to promote public schools
Memorial Day Parade- 4thand 5th grade band members march and wear red Westover T-shirts. Volunteers are needed to organize marchers in both events.
Bingo *****/W social event for parents and children held in the cafeteria at night. Great fun for all and prizes for all. Volunteers needed to organize flyers and entrance fee for bingo cards as well as shop for prizes.
Ice Skating *****/W- WINTER EVENT Social event to pass a cold winter night and celebrate warm Westover camaraderie. Need volunteers to organize flyers and solicit chaperones.

Click here for more information about the Westover PTO