• FAHSA Committees

    Our volunteer-led FAHSA committees raise funds for our school, plan activities to supplement our children's education, and help foster a sense of community. We welcome everyone’s time and talent and encourage you to join us – no commitment is too small!

    If you are interested in learning more about any of our committees, please contact Leigh Brodman (leigh.fahaspres@gmail.com).  We are looking for parent volunteers for Committees now.  Please click on the "Committee Openings" below.  Below gives you a sampling on our Committees.  Make sure to look at the Committee tab on this website for more information.

    Current Openings!:  Committee Openings

    Biennial Fundraiser for School Year 2023-2024!
    This event will happen in the 2023-2024 School Year!  Every two years, FAHSA hosts a large fundraiser and with funds raised from the fundraiser are donated back to Forest Avenue School for projects that need funding.  The principal has a list of projects he needs money for, prioritizes the projects and lets us know what our donation will be used for.  This event in the past has typically been a fun social gathering for parents.  Themes of events in recent years have included:  Masquerade Night, Casino Night and 80's Night.  A dedicated Committee is necessary to make this event a success!  Typically the Social Committee Chairs are involved, but not necessarily the Chairs for this event.  The FAHSA Board is very involved with this event with the President or typically involved in all decision making.
     
    Book Fair will be held September 19-22, 2023.
     
    Our annual homegoods fundraiser (gift wrap, sweet treats, housewares) begins on September 26, 2023.
     
    Class Parents
    Class parents help distribute communications from teachers, organize class parties, and recruit parent volunteers for field trips and other class events.  Class Parents will be chosen in September 2023.  Look for an e-mail to come through school.  2nd Vice President, Tricia Greene manages this process.
     
    Communications/Marketing &  Publicity
    This committee helps prepare the Friday Flash newsletter, other email announcements, and helps publicize all the great things happening at FAS, all under the direction of one of the FAHSA President.
     
    The Community Service committee plans family service projects like Neighbors in Need, the Mitten Drive and our Thanksgiving Food Drive.  We are looking for more people to join this committee!
     
    Discovery is an after-school enrichment program and major FAHSA fundraiser! It offers classes in subjects ranging from computer programming to cooking to performing arts.  The next Discovery session begins this fall.
     
    This committee plans a few in-school enrichment programs during the school year.  Programs featured in the past have been widely varied - computer science, sifting for seashells, mining, environmental awareness, musical and dance performances and recess yoga.  
     
    Get everything you need to create a lovely autumnal outdoor display at home and help support FAS in the process! We are partnering with O'Boyle Landscaping to provide beautiful mums, pumpkins and other festive fall decor.  Coming in Fall 2023!
     
    Prepare to be spooked! This annual outdoor evening event displays Jack O'Lanterns carved at home by each family, as well as by each class. Festive music fills the air, and a sweet treat fundraiser tops it off.  Coming in Fall 2023!
     
    Food Days are catered lunches provided by local restaurants and served by parent volunteers. This major fundraiser makes your life easier too!  Lunches are available 3 days/week from outside vendors.  Options include but are not limited to the following:  Mexican, Italian, Deli, Chicken, Brunch. Can you say delicious?  Coming in Fall 2023!
     
    Glow Dance for Second Graders:
    The Glow Dance will be held for Second Graders in the 2023-2024 school year.
     
    Hour of Code falls under our Enrichment Committee as of the 2023-2024 school year.  It is a worldwide program in December and FAS is proud to be a part of it! Our students participated in a one-hour introduction to computer science led by parent volunteers during the school day.  
      
    Learning Garden
    Our Learning Garden maintains the beautiful fruit and vegetable garden on the FAS grounds and leads environmental science enrichment programs for the students.  Learning Garden clean up is typically scheduled during mid-October 2023.
     
    This community assists the FAS librarian with class visits. Volunteering here is a great way to get a peek into your child's school day!  The Library Volunteers Program will happen in the 2023-2024 school year.  Look for sign ups in the fall.
     
    Nominations Committee
    This committee helps ensure the fairness of FAHSA Board elections that will be held in Spring 2024.
     
    Say cheese! This committee organizes the annual FAS Picture Days in mid-October.  Picture Day will be held in October 2023.
     
    Read Across America Celebration
    Celebrate reading with in-school activities and a visit by The Cat in the Hat!  This event will be held in March 2024.
     
    Our Social Fireflies plan fun parent and family social events to help foster a sense of community and raise funds for FAS!  2022-2023 School Year Events included:  1) Welcome Back Pizza Party on September 9; 2) Coffee Social; 3) Parents' Night Out on October 13 at Fitzgerald's Sidecare; 4) Holiday Greens Decorating Event on December 13; 5: Parent Social on May 4 at Pineapple Express. The brand new Social Committee Co-Chairs are thinking of ideas for other events for parents only and for parent & child.  Let's have more fun in the upcoming school year!
     
    The School Supplies fundraiser ended in July 2023.  If you did not get a chance to order school supplies, Leigh Brodman (leigh.fahaspres@gmail.com) can get you in touch with the Committee.  There may be extra kits available and/or you can get a list of school supplies from your classroom teacher.
     
    This committee raises funds throughout the year for the 2nd grade yearbooks and a fun graduation celebration. 
     
    Soccerthon is a family social event and fundraiser open to students throughout Glen Ridge, from preK to 6th grade. It features student soccer scrimmages, concessions, and other fun activities and entertainment.  The date for this event in the 2023-2024 school year is TBD.  As of July 2023, we need 1-2 Chairpersons and a lot of volunteers for this event.  Please see the Committee Openings document on this page for more information.

    The Spiritwear committee selects and designs items including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, magnets and more, and sells them at a fall sale and various other times throughout the year at FAS events.  
     
    Spring Carnival
    Spring Carnival is a beloved annual fundraiser on the FAS field featuring bounce houses, carnival games, prizes, treats & concessions.  This event takes place in May.
     
    STEAM Fair
    The annual STEAM fair features multiple exhibits, typically in math, science & arts programming.  We need a lot of parent volunteers to make this event happen!  This event will be held in March 2024.
     
    Help us show our teachers how much we appreciate them during Teacher Appreciation Week! We'll plan events and treats to thank them for all their hard work.   Teacher Apprecation Week will be celebrated in November 2023 and May 2024.
     
    Visiting Author Day
    Each year, we work closely with the FAS Librarian to identify a notable children’s book author to visit FAS for a day! The visiting authors make a series of age-appropriate presentations to each grade level. They also sign and personalize copies of their books for the children. Books are sold in advance to help cover costs of visiting author fees.  This typically takes place in March. 
     
    We organize and deliver baskets full of sweet treats and gift cards to show our appreciation for the FAS staff, which includes our crossing guards, custodians, school nurse, Principal, teachers and school secretary.  Sign Ups for donations begin in January 2024 and baskets will be delivered in time for Valentine's Day.