How to Get Involved

Welcome

As Co-Presidents of the Hunnewell School PTO, we are excited to support the entire Hunnewell community, faculty and staff throughout the 2023-2024 school year. Whether your family is new to Hunnewell or you are a Hunnewell veteran, we hope you all feel a sense of enthusiasm and fellowship as we journey through another non-traditional school year together and excitement about moving into our brand new school this coming February 2024! 

For the first 6 months of the school year, our students will be at host schools. Bates is hosting Kindergarten and 1st grade, Sprague is hosting 3rd and 5th grade, Hardy is hosting 4th grade and Upham is hosting 2nd grade. Our students were embraced last year by our gracious host schools and we are hopeful it will be a smooth start this year as well, with less unknowns on the first day.  We also look forward to them continuing to develop the friendships they started last year with their new host school peers.

PTO activities and efforts throughout the year will be designed to further the PTO’s long-standing mission:

Our PTO meets formally five times per year. Traditionally, we send out the PTO newsletter, Hunnewell Happenings, each Sunday evening. While students are still in host schools your main source of communication will come from your host school(s).  All host schools send out weekly communications.  In an effort not to over communicate, we will send Sunday newsletters & e-blasts out as needed to communicate Hunnewell-specific news.  

Our school community is strengthened when we share our talents and work together toward the common goal of bettering our children’s educational experience. As a parent of a Hunnewell student(s), you are automatically a member of the PTO and we encourage you to get involved.  Please follow us on social media, Facebook & Instagram @HunnewellPTO, to stay up-to-date on the latest events & happenings. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, comments or suggestions.  We can be reached at info@hunnewellpto.org.​

Warm regards,

Heather Conway and Lillian Lau

Co-Presidents, Hunnewell School PTO


Positions

The Hunnewell School PTO relies on the engagement and commitment of parents to enhance our children's school. You are already a member of the Hunnewell School PTO, a member who can bring energy and ideas (big or small) to our community. Our school community is strengthened when we share our talents and work together toward the common goal of bettering our children's educational experience. If you are interested in an open position or in helping more generally, please contact the Co-Presidents at info@hunnewellpto.org.

PTO Board

Co-Presidents

Provide strategic oversight of all PTO programming and budgeting, liaison between Principal and PTO volunteers, facilitate PTO board meetings, and represent Hunnewell at town-wide meetings including Central Council and meetings with WPS Superintendent. 

Co-Vice Presidents

Support the PTO and Co-Presidents as needed. Main responsibilities include recruiting and managing room parents for each classroom, coordinating thank you note correspondence, managing school supply program, and helping to recruit volunteers for various events.

Co-Treasurers

Oversee all Hunnewell PTO finances, including vendor payments, volunteer reimbursements, tax preparation, updates to the PTO board, annual fund, and budget support.

Co-Secretaries

Publish and manage the online and paper versions of the Hunnewell directory and maintain PTO board meeting minutes.

Fundraising

Lead a committee to plan and execute fundraising events and programs throughout the year to meet PTO fundraising goals (excluding the annual appeal and auction/parent party).

Communications

Produce PTO’s weekly newsletter, Hunnewell Happenings, and PTO e-blasts. Work with website coordinator to ensure content is up to date.

Social 

Lead a committee responsible for organizing and hosting Hunnewell's various social events scheduled throughout the year. Recruit volunteers from the community to assist in staffing these events. 

Creative Arts & Sciences

Lead a committee to plan school-wide and grade-level programming such as assemblies, workshops and in-house residencies that support the curriculum including performers, scientists, authors, and artists. 

Grade Liaison Role

Provide support between our Hunnewell PTO and our host school's PTO.  Will work with host schools to assist in grade level Creative, Arts and Sciences programs, community events and staff appreciation.

Community Coordinators

Kindergarten

Help welcome the incoming kindergarten class at the parent orientation and student screening in the spring. Organize back-to school popsicle party and parent coffee in the fall. 

5th Grade

Plan and coordinate a class gift to the school, organize graduation celebrations, and work with yearbook committee on fifth grade section. 

New Family Program

Help welcome new families by matching them with a host family mentor and organizing back-to-school new family activities. 

Website

Provide ongoing support and maintenance of Hunnewell PTO website.

Enrichment Programming

BOKS (Build our Kids' Success)

Coordinate exercise program.

Creative Arts & Sciences

Manage all CAS programming for a grade-level. 

Hunnewell Helps

Plan and lead community service programs at Hunnewell and in our broader community throughout the school year (e.g. grounds clean-up, food/toy drives, Spread the Bread).

Hunnewell Cares

Raise funds and provide/gather support and assistance to Hunnewell families during times of crisis or extraordinary events. Assistance might include meal trains, playdates, rides, or financial support with gift cards.

Hunnewell Hive

Oversee 4th and 5th graders in developing and publishing the school newspaper to enhance literacy, communication, and media knowledge.  

Book Fair

Organize a school Book Fair aimed at promoting literacy and providing the opportunity to explore and purchase books across a wide range of genres and authors. 

Green Team 

Plan and lead activities to encourage environmentally sound practices at Hunnewell (e.g. litter-less lunches, green certified classrooms, recycling); liaise with town-wide green team.

Walk to School

Assist the PE teacher in preparing for monthly walk to school days by staffing the walker sign-in table, greeting students, and gathering signatures.  

Yearbook

Yearbook coordinators guide and assist students in compiling and producing the annual yearbook, overseeing layout design, photo selection, and content organization. They provide mentorship and support to ensure the completion of a memorable representation of the school year.

Fundraising

Auction

Lead a committee to plan and throw an adult-only party and Hunnewell’s largest single fundraiser. All money raised supports PTO programming at Hunnewell. 

Fun Fair

Lead a committee to plan and throw a child-friendly carnival for both the school community and town offering food, rides, and games on the Hunnewell grounds. 

Merchandise

Support fundraising chairs in procuring and selling Hunnewell gear to promote the Hunnewell school spirit.

Original Works

Work with art teacher to help coordinate orders of student art creations and gifts.

Teacher/Staff Raffle

Lead and execute the annual raffle event, where teachers and staff generously contribute their personal time and resources to benefit Hunnewell by raising funds. 

Other fundraisers

Help fundraising chair raise funds for the PTO.

Room Parents

We are in need of two room parents per classroom. Volunteering as a room parent is a great way to get involved at Hunnewell! 

Responsibilities include:

Kindergarten

1st Grade

2nd Grade

3rd Grade

4th Grade

5th Grade

Staff and Grounds

Gardening

Coordinate with Hunnewell staff and outside vendor to help maintain gardens and planters around the school. Solicit volunteers and lead Hunnewell Beautification Day in the fall, and provide ongoing support and maintenance throughout the year. 

Staff Appreciation

Plan and provide food for Hunnewell teachers and staff at various times during the year including back to school lunch/dinner, last day of school lunch, and teacher appreciation snacks. 

Town-Wide Programming

Hunnewell Building Project Liaison

METCO

Serve as liaison to the METCO Family Friends Council and foster strong relationships between Boston and Wellesley families by communicating events and promoting monthly playdates with family friends. Match family friends to new incoming METCO students and oversee previous matchings.

POPS (Parents of Performing Students) Representative

WEF Spelling Bee Hunnewell Team

Represent Hunnewell at the annual Wellesley Education Foundation spelling bee fundraiser. 

Wellesley Wonderful Weekend Parade Float

Build the Hunnewell School float for the town parade.